Ballet West's Nutcracker

I really almost just threw in the towel and gave up on my blog altogether, but I have had several requests to get it going again, and talking about Chloe's fun new adventure seemed like the perfect opportunity. So here it goes.




On September 10th, we headed to the Rose Wagner Theater in Salt Lake City for Ballet West's Nutcracker auditions. I was unaware the auditions were open to the public until a year ago, but once Chloe heard that they were open she was determined to audition this year. You are assigned a part to audition for according to height, so we knew she was auditioning to be a soldier. I also knew she was on the short end of the height scale, making her one of the youngest girls auditioning for the role. I told Chloe time and time again to remember that this would be a good opportunity and experience no matter what happened. But that didn't stop Chloe from making one of her birthday wishes, when she blew out her candles the night before, to get a part in the ballet (if you think I was feeling anxiety and pressure, you are right. but I also kept telling myself that this was just for the experience - logically thinking, this was Chloe's first year auditioning and she was one of the youngest. I didn't think her chances were good at getting a part, so no pressure)

We entered the theater filled with excited little ballerinas and anxious mothers. Chloe got her # and we pinned it on (#512 - her new favorite number). We did a few finishing touches on her bun and then she began to stretch as we waited for the morning audition group to finish. We watched as tear filled eyes came out after being cut. We watched crying mothers console their daughters. Finally it was time for the soldier auditions. Looking like the perfect little ballerina Chloe went into the audition leaving me and my mom there to wait. And wait. And wait.

After what seemed like forever (actually 3 hours), a woman came out and announced that in a few minutes a group of girls that had been cut would be coming out. She proceeded to tell us that there would be many sad and teary eyed girls that needed our love and support. Any feelings of calm that I had were gone at this point. My stomach was in knots as we waited for the doors to open. About 15 minutes later the doors opened and what seemed like a never ending stream of sad, teary eyed girls starting pouring out. I searched through the sea of girls, all dressed in black leotards with their hair in buns, for Chloe's face. I saw a couple of girls I knew (5 years older than Chloe) come out and my heart sank. I expected her face to be the next I saw. But then the doors closed, and no Chloe. But would there be more cuts... Over 130 girls had gone in to the audition. How many had come out in that first cut? I can honestly say that this was the most heart stopping experience I have had as a mother. And that is saying a lot considering we have been through bunches of dance things, sport tryouts and games, etc. So again we waited. And finally they came out and announced that the girls who has made soldier would be coming out shortly. Chloe was among the select girls who made it. We were all so excited.

Here is a short video clip.




Braxton, Justice, and Belle were so cute and excited for Chloe as well. They made her a big poster with special messages on it (I am sure Dave suggested the idea). It is was also fun that a couple of Chloe's cute friends made it as well. And a special thank you to my mom (aka. Grandma/Mrs. Peek) for going with us to the audition and being Chloe's dance teacher.




I am so proud of her and so thrilled for her. This is such a great opportunity and experience. Since, we have had many hours of rehearsal, costume fittings, cast photos, and lots and lots of driving to Capitol Theater. But I have to say, as I see Chloe come out with her smile beaming and her eyes sparkling, it is all worth it.

I sent out an email to family and friends, but I thought I would post it here as well - this is what I sent

"Chloe auditioned for Ballet West's Nutcracker and was selected to perform as a Blue Soldier. She has been working hard with lots of rehearsals and loving every minute of it. She was selected to be in Cast A which is the first to perform. It is a great cast because she gets to perform at Weber State University as well as Opening weekend at Capitol Theater. The downside to her Cast is that they also does all of the Ballet West Corporate Sponsor and Invited Guests performances, which means there are not as many performances open to the general public to buy tickets for. If you are interested in buying tickets to the Nutcracker and would like to see Chloe, they go on sale tomorrow, October 15th. The tickets for the Weber State performances (Friday, Nov. 25th - evening and Saturday, Nov. 26th - matinee and evening) need to be purchased through Ogden Symphony. The tickets for the performances at Capitol Theater Friday, Nov. 25th - evening and Saturday, Nov. 26th - matinee and evening)can be purchased at Capitol Theater or go to Balletwest.org and follow the links. She gets to perform 8 other times at Capitol Theater, but the tickets are not for sale to the general public."

Gingerbread Houses

Somehow I missed out on some of the fun things I love to do before Christmas. It just seems we were super busy for some reason. Anyway – when I was asked what I wanted to do for my birthday I decided that I would take advantage. As per my request, we decorated Graham Cracker Houses. Everyone were really good sport, considering many had already done this earlier in the season. We had lots of fun and made some pretty cute houses.

It is always fun to see the kids personalities come out in their houses.

Braxton = simple (let me finish so I can watch bball on TV)

Justice = creative and unique

Chloe = candy, candy and more candy

Belle = a little of this and a little of that (supervised by me)

SNOW Much Fun

With the fresh new snow and the kids out of school on Christmas break we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to go sledding. What a fun family activity.

My little sister and her family were here, so they went with us as well as my parents. It was a perfect day for sledding.

Braxton and Justice continually raced down the hill trying to decide which sled was the fastest.

Chloe loved racing with the boys and also loved playing with the little girls.

Belle took a while to warm up to the whole idea of sledding, but after a few times down with Crystal and Grandma she got brace and wanted to go all by herself. She also loved playing in the snow with Harlie.

Cute little Schaeffer (my nephew) seemed to love the whole adventure. Either that or he was so cold he could not move. He sure looked cute. And Harlie (my niece) loved sledding.

Dave tried snowboarding down as well as riding in the tube and giving everyone a good push start at the top of the hill.

I even got in on the action (often times I miss out because I want to get that perfect picture).

Everyone had a GREAT time. And even though I did get in on the fun, I also took a couple hundred pictures, so I thought I would share those in a slide show.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house this year. It began with the Peek Pizza party (which for some reason I have no pictures of). It is really quite a simple party, but lots of fun. Games, family, food and no pressure.

After the extended family left the kids opened there ‘12th day of Christmas’ present from Grandma & Grandpa.

And as always – it was the traditional ‘New Christmas Pajamas’. The kids always know what is in the that gift, but they are always SO excited for the new PJ’s. I love that.

Grandma got a new pair of pajamas too.

Then we all settled in the living room to listen to our Nativity Story tape. It is just a simple 10 minute tape of the Nativity, told by Burl Ives, but I love it. Probably because we listened to it every Christmas Eve when I was a little girl.

Finally we headed home to prepare for Santa. The kids sprinkled reindeer food outside (they really love this tradition – their faces don’t show it thought because it was SOOO cold),

and fixed a tray of cookies and hot cocoa supplies for Santa.

BOARDING NOW : Polar Express

We started a new tradition last year, The Polar Express Party.  I love this just because it is so simple, yet  so much fun.  The morning of the party each of the kids receive a ticket to board the Polar Express.

We go to my parents in our pajamas, have doughnuts and hot chocolate, and then get all snuggled in blanket and pillows for the movie (the Polar Express on my parent’s surround sound is amazing).

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Have you ever read this book? It is one of my very favorite Christmas stories.  Justice’s class put this on as a play at school this year and he had one of the main parts. 

I don’t have a picture of the actual performance because I didn’t realize.  Basically, one morning before school Justice says to me, “Mom, my class is doing some play thing at school today, so if you want to come by you can.” I really wondered if it was a big deal or not, but I decided to go and check out the ‘play thing’.  I got there and found that the kids had been practicing and making scenery and props for a week and Justice had one of the main roles.  I WAS SO GLAD I WENT.  ( I was also, so sad I didn’t have any cameras with me)  Justice did a great job. I loved every minute of the the play and his performance.  He is such a great kids and I love him so much.  GREAT JOB JUSTICE!!!

**Note to Self – Next time Justice says his class has some ________ thing, take the camera and get their early for a front row seat.**

Baskets of Fun – Chloe’s Basketball 2009

Chloe has played Jr. Jazz basketball before, but this year was extra FUN because she got to play ALL GIRL, and she was on a team with a bunch of her friends. 

Chloe scored her first point ever this season. She loved basketball and wanted to practice with her big brothers and Dad as much as she could. 

Watching little girls play ball is always a different story than boys,  but these girls were so cute and really good. They won every game until the semi finals when they lost to another team from our town (the other team was made up of all 4th graders and one 3rd grader, and our team was all 3rd graders except two).

Her good friend’s Dad was the coach.  He held practice every week through the season, and was great with the girls.  Thanks a ton Coach Fisher.

Chloe is already looking forward to next season.