Nutcracker 2008

Well, obviously, life is NOT slowing down like I was hoping (ha ha), so it is time to blog about the events of December!
A few weeks ago, was Kendyll's big debut as a gingerbread girl in the Nutcracker! It was a show that really went beyond my greatest expectations as a whole...from the patient and loving directors to the amazingly skilled dancers to the fun and festive background sets....it was all absolutely wonderful and made our first Nutcracker experience great.
The older dancers in the show (who have been doing this for many years) were Kendyll's "demonstrators" as they are called. They really got to know each other so much over these weeks of practice, and I was extremely impressed with the way the highschool girls treated the baby 6 year olds. They showed them the greatest respect and love, and were giving them pep talks before their performances. Here is one of the girls that Kendyll loved so much. I really appreciate that Kendyll had these girls around to look up to...and believe me, she can't wait to dance their part someday!
We got to photograph Kendyll on stage only during rehearsals. Here she is with her big smile ready! (She is second from the left...) I only have about a hundred more pictures of these same poses. But, I won't make you look at ALL of them.
And, here they are marching with Mother Gingerbread. Absolutely adorable. :)
Really, my emotions surprised me on her first night of performing. You other parents out there know the feeling I'm sure. But, I literally could feel my heart swelling with joy as I watched her sweetly dance up there. My tears came as I thought about how in the world my baby girl could be this big...but also from just seeing that she was truly enjoying herself and was proud of the hard work she put into this. It was definitely a great "mommy moment". :)

We also enjoyed having so many of her school friends in the shows with her. Here are a few of her gingerbread friends!

We commemorated Kendyll's first Nutcracker with a new snow globe that plays the famous song (what is it called?) and shows Clara dancing with her nutcracker. She also got a gingerbread for her charm bracelet. It was fun to celebrate this with her.

And, to say this girl had the greatest fan club around would be an understatement!! Between the two shows, she had so many family members (and her sweet friend Emma & her mommy, Nicole) come to cheer her on and show their support for Kendyll. It meant SOOOO much to this sweet girl, and her eyes just lit up when she saw everyone after each performance.

The Saturday gang:

Grankay, Grandad, Kevin, and Kylie

Uncle Chris

Uncle Brad, Aunt Jodi, and Sophie

Sophie was so sweet to Kendyll and really enjoyed watching the dancers. It was so fun for Kendyll to have her cousins there. :)

Mommy and Daddy

The Sunday gang:

Pops and Grandma

Gammy and Papa Ron

Aunt Cortni, Uncle Adam, Braden, Aunt Cassie, Uncle Austin, and Aunt Cailee (this picture doesn't include the boys)

And miss Emma, who was so sweet to come with her mom to watch Kendyll perform. We all had a good time watching it together and Kendyll so enjoyed having her friend from church there too.



Carlie came to the Sunday afternoon show and enjoyed getting to meet some of the characters, as well as see her big sister dance on stage! Carlie told Kendyll later that she was so excited to watch her and that she did a really good job. Precious sisters. During the show, it was very funny to listen to Carlie loudly ask questions about every single dancer and scene. She was trying to figure it all out. :)

After the show, she got very shy...and very hot...a bad combination for Carlie. She did not want to hug Kendyll, give her the flowers she brought for her, or take her picture with Kendyll. There was "people overload" and that is when my Carlie shuts down. However, as soon as we got outside and were away from the crowd (and the heat!), this is what she did...and would NOT let go.

That funny girl is always making us laugh.
We are all so proud of you, Kendyll, our little ballerina, and we hope for many more years of watching you light up the stage!