Christmas is in the Air!

 

It has been a yearly tradition to go to dinner and the Christmas Carol Play with family. Mi Ranchito's is a must before the play. The Pace Family, Pikus family, Grandma Pikus and Grandma Woobie joined us as well. We love that this particular rendition of A Christmas Carol incorporates the Christ Child and really sets the mood for the Christmas Season!

Auri is the last survivor of Piano Recitals. All of the other kids have moved on from regular piano lessons although each continues to play occasionally when they find time. Jayden even bought his own electric keyboard for his apartment so he can continue to practice. Auri played one of mom's favorite Christmas songs, "Oh Holy Night" and did an incredible job! Her grandma's were there to support her as well.

It wouldn't be the Christmas Season without some shopping. Mom was able to take Auri to the outlets at Traverse Mountain and Jayden to South Town Mall where we were able to finish up their last Christmas "wish-lists"!

We always choose a family during the holidays to give gifts leading up to the 12 days of Christmas each year. This year was a little different. A family in our ward and prior Bishop lost their daughter and sister in a car accident the day after Thanksgiving so we decided to help out the other neighbors who were participating in a neighborhood "12 days of Christmas" for this family. We were paired with another family to give a gift on the 8th day. So Auri and Brother Hatch made sure to dress up as Batman and crazy person so they weren't recognized in the ring camera. They felt so confident in their disguises that they even waved at the camera as they rang the bell.

Our ward went ice skating for a Young Men & Young Women activity one night. Dad and Mom are quite the duo on skates and even escaped without injury. Unfortunately, one young man wasn't so lucky and ended up falling down only to have someone run over his finger with their skate, slicing it open and earning a trip to the ER for stitches. We were grateful it wasn't any worse.

Lounging around watching the Christmas Devotional and Christmas movies

A Time To Dance

Dance is a year long sport, but the Drill team competition begins in December after 6 months of perfecting dances that are ready to be performed. The new coach of the Westlake Drill Team, Lexi Labrum decided to host the showcase at the beginning of the competition season rather than the end so the girls could be ready to dancing their routines in front of others.  Auri was lucky to be on the Jr. Luxelle team as well and be able to perform at the showcase. The Luxelles competed with 4 routines: Dance, Pom, Military and Show (Wednesday from the Adams Family was the theme this year). It's a great way to see their routines before actually competing with them. Aysia's boyfriend Isaac and a few of his friends came to support her and the team and after the show, we were lucky enough to run into some adorable twins that just finished their wrestling matches.

The first competition was held at UVU. Auri and her cute friends who also have sister's on the team came to support the team. They did an incredible job!

Auri has a busy dance schedule with taking dance 1 at the Vista Heights, being a member of the the Jr. Luxelle's at the high school and her competition team at the studio. She loves all the friends she has made over the years and has really progressed this past year. Her Vista Heights dance class was able to perform at the Winter showcase where they were able to perform 2 of their learned dances.

The Drill mom's are always ready and willing to help. The team's costumes needed last minute adjustments so the moms all pulled out their glue guns and started working away. The girls have such a great support group behind them. The mom's on the team are amazing!

One more competition down! Aysia performed her solo at this one and loves supporting the girls that perform as well. Isaac and Coleman came to surprise both Aysia and Peter (AKA Savannah) with flowers after they competed with their solo routines.

DECEMBER 2023