The Cat in the Hat

Last year Mom and I were able to go to Florida to see Ashley perform in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I am sorry to report that this year I won't be able to go and see her as the lead in The Cat in the Hat. It makes me sad that I can't be there. Ashley modeled her costume for us and gave us a little sneak preview of one of the songs.

Logan and Ashley also shared with us their speeches on "If I were President". Let me just say that they have very different opinions of how they would perform those duties. It was very entertaining.

Daytona International Speedway

On the last day in Daytona Beach we went to the Speedway. We got into a simulator to have a race and Steve took second place. I of course came in 18th. How embarrassing. We had a great time with the Haskins, Fieldings, and Whitworths.

After that we went to the beach to find Sarah and say good-by. We ate with some of the parents at Bubba Gumps and left for Penny's.

When we got there we went to a movie, The Last Song, and enjoyed our last evening in Florida. I sure will miss the Keoppels. They always show us a good time.

Cougarettes win National Title in Daytona Beach

Words simply can't express the feelings I have had this last weekend as we watched Sarah dance with the Cougarettes at the National Collegiate Dance Championships. We have been to a lot of competitions during Sarah's life but nothing could have prepared me for the energy and excitement as over 50 parents and family formed a cheering section and watched the girls give it everything they had. They have worked so hard and it all paid off.

We left for Florida on April 5th. We landed in Orlando and rented a car and drove to Penny and Kent's for a few days. I miss Penny so much and it is always so fun to visit. I wish they lived closer. Her kids are so cute with us and seem to love having us there. Penny cooked us dinner and then we relaxed. The next day Penny and I went shopping and Steve and Kent went golfing. I had a blast. I wish Mom and my girls could have been there with us. We went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner. Penny and Kent are on a diet and they gave us incentive to do better now that we are home.

The next day we drove to Daytona Beach. We checked into the hotel and then drove to the beach to check out where the competition was going to be the next day. When we got up the next morning we headed to the Peabody Auditorium for the preliminary competition. The girls did a great job and we figured that it was between us and Louisville. When the scores came in we were all disappointed to find that we came in second by a half a point. That just meant that we were placed second to last for Finals the next day but the scores were wiped clean and did not accumulate.

We met the other parents and Cougarettes that night for dinner at Olive Garden. We sat by Heidi Juergen's parents from Texas. What great people! The service was quite bad and I never did get my meal. They gave everyone at my table a free meal.

Penny and I had put together little candy bags for the girls that we handed out. I really think they all appreciated it so much.

The nerves were quite tight as we sat the next day at the Ocean Center for the Finals. I have never been so nervous. Everyone was wound up. As the girls came out on the stage, my body felt numb. The dance started and the energy was amazing. I just knew they came to win. It was so exciting and other people in the seats next to us kept telling how much they loved it. In the end we took the Choreography award and won the competition buy three hundredths of a point.

That night we celebrated at The Outback with all the team and fans. The assistant Athletic Director was there and told the girls they would be welcomed back by the administration and Athletic Dept.

I will never forget the experience and the total out of body experience as I screamed for Sarah and the total relief as she did the final lift to complete a near perfect routine.

Easter 2010

This year the kids had to do separate Easter egg hunts. Steve and I were in Boise to welcome the new little Russo into the world and so we painted eggs and hunted Dinosaur eggs. As we found the eggs Tripp would open them up and tell me what kind of Dinosaur was in them. He knows all the technical names and it is scary how much smarter he is than me.

McKailey came on Easter Sunday and Sarah hid her eggs and Dave and I went with her to find them. It was quite short as well, but oh well, it is a memory right? I particularly like the pink boots she is wearing. I wish it had been warmer for both the Easter Egg Hunts but we managed just fine.

General Conference was on Easter Sunday this year. We had Judy and Shan and their kids here visiting while we watched the sessions. It was so inspiring. I can't wait to get the new Ensign and start studying the talks. Next year we hope to have all three of our Grandchildren in the back yard together hunting lots and lots of eggs.