Nutcracker Times Two

The first Nutcracker performances of the season were just before Thanksgiving, with Ballet West Academy at Thanksgiving Point.  Cannon was Fritz and a Russian dancer. We recently saw the pictures and they are pretty great.

You can see George on the far right.  In this production he was a party boy and a bon-bon.

George's face:)

A little costume problem with Cannon's shirt.  Oops.

Cannon is quite the showman.

The boys really enjoyed being a part of this production and it was a great start to the Christmas season and nice that it was over before the craziness of December got going.

The second production was Oquirrh Mountain Ballet the weekend of Clark's homecoming.  It made for a very busy, but very wonderful weekend.  This is a local, non-profit ballet company and the show was right here in Riverton.  Cannon was the nephew and Nutcracker Prince and George was a party boy and a mouse.  The boys LOVED being in this show.  We love the director and everyone involved.

George loved being a mouse and Drosselmeyer  was fantastic.  We've done community theater with him in the past so it was fun to cross paths again.

The cast picture before the show.

Cannon's first partner lifting.

I know it's overkill on pictures, but I can't help myself.  I love it!

The cheering section

More cheering section.  Clark and Zach had been to a Heroscape tournament all day and then came to the show.  Zach is basically another brother to these little ones.

I love this picture.  Cannon was the Prince, George was a mouse, and Bethany's last name is Snow (she is a gal in our neighborhood who was also in the show).

And as if the weekend wasn't full enough already, in between Nutcracker performance, the boys squeezed in a band performance--  here's is the video of "Rudolf, the Funky Reindeer"

Their band teacher is a remarkably talented guy named Nate Anderson.  He and his equally amazing wife put on a Christmas show a few days later  We went to for the first time this year.

It's unusual for all of us to go to an event all together.  And even more unusual that no one complains and EVERYONE thoroughly enjoys it!  Nic and Nate Christmas for the win!  We can't wait for next year's show.

Catch Up

Each time Abe and I found out we were expecting a baby, it was always such happy news.  And somehow, it felt so special, so sacred, that we didn't want to tell anyone for a while.  Not because of  a fear of miscarriage, but rather because we just wanted to sit with the wonderful news ourselves and be grateful.  I think I've felt a little bit that same way since Clark came home.  We've had so many tender moments and feelings, and amid all  the celebrations of his homecoming and Christmas, I've just wanted to savor the joy of having him home and feeling the spirit of the season. 
It's been absolutely lovely and soul-filling and I feel like I have savored and appreciated it all.  But while I've been privately soaking it all in, I've gotten quite behind on what I want to share on the blog so that I can continue to remember what has transpired during this beautiful time in our family's history. 
So with that, here's a start of what we've been up to since Clark got home.

 We went to see a play in the Young Home Theater -- Every Brilliant Thing.  It was a one man (woman) show with a lot of audience participation, put on by a Utah Shakespeare Festival group that travels around the state to perform for schools.  This happened to be a home school group. 

 We loved the show and the conversations it opened up about suicide and talking and reaching out to others.

December is the busiest month for the high school swim team.  Here is Elinor diving in to anchor the winning 200 medley relay at a recent meet.  She has worked really diligently to get her shoulder healed and get stronger.

Abe and Clark went to another one of her meets a few days later.

Clark came with me to run a Christmas errand and I introduced him to my love of the chicken soft taco from Del Taco.  I was so happy that he found it quite a satisfying little snack!

This actually happened the night before Clark got home.  Bethany was excited to go be a judge at the high school's fundraiser "Mr. Silver Rush" pageant.  It was hysterical and cringy and heartwarming all at once. 

Miss Bluffdale was a judge as well and Bethany's 1st Attendant and close friend, Lily sat with them as well. 

A trip to Arctic Circle after the show.

Abe snapped this adorable picture of angelic little Greta sleeping.  I'm glad he he, because the next day...

... this happened.  She was rough-housing with the boys and she gashed her head on the edge of a bookshelf.

Darn it!  She ended up with three stitches that were removed on Christmas Eve day. 

She's still pretty angelic.

Together Again

There is so much for me to share.  I am feeling daunted at the prospect of capturing all the feels of the last several days.  It's been good.  Really good.  Miraculous.  Heaven on Earth.

The short of it is, HE IS HOME!!! Clark got home from the Texas Dallas Mission and it was as wonderful as we had imagined.  

Our Schramm Fam served as photographers of the big day and they delivered big time.  So I have about 3 billion pictures that I love and must share.  

At the airport the signage was plentiful.

We anxiously waited...

And he finally arrived!!!

You better believe I broke through the security and ran to him.  So what if the security guard quickly moved us back?  I'm not usually much of a rule breaker, but this was a no-brainer.  And I am not sorry.

It was a joyous and emotional reunion.  Based on our experience at the airport of being separated from one family member for two years, I cannot even comprehend the joy of the reunions to come in the eternities.

First hug - father to son.  

The welcoming committee:)

Peter and Greta's customized signs.

The Foxy Ladies awaiting Clark's arrival.  They've grown up a lot in his absence.

The little brothers were ready for their fearless leader to return.

With his missionary grandparents.

It takes a village, and this village had several awesome "moms" to this missionary.

In someways it was a lifetime ago that they were three little ones playing together.  Now the three oldest are all grown up and my cup runneth over.

They were MTC companions and then they came home together.  It was so nice to celebrate with the other Texas Dallas parents.

My heart was so happy.

Clark and the first time seeing his cat.

Welcome home, Elder Fox!  You done good!