Finishing up the dance season....The Recital

So, yea...still a little behind on all the summer events; but, the dance season did come to an end and it was another fun year to watch our Kaley & Dylan learn and grow in their dance abilities. Unfortunately (again), I didn't get a whole lot of great pictures...call it the bad lighting, cheap camera or simply user error; but, this at least gives you an idea of the entertainment. (I'd like to invest in a decent camera; but, we also know I'm terrible with technology...either breaking it or losing it, so there's no point! :}). Kaley absolutely lives for dancing, and continues to perform for us on a regular basis, as she loves to make up her own routines. Here she is on the far right with her Hip Hop Dance crew.

It's always fun to see the cute little girls/boys just beginning to learn about the fun of dance

These costumes were so cute! :}

A few of Kaley's "Dance Sisters" here, who are wonderful examples to her 

It's fun to watch the Cheer Teams do their thing too. They have all really grown a lot this past year & doing more tricks than than I remember them doing before.  

The twins, and Ivy, have especially amazed me with their fearlessness this year. OK, so wish I got the flip off top here; but, just trust me, it was cool (especially from just small little girls! :}) 

Of course my favorite cheerleader is that cute blond to the left side! :} 

Dylan has really progressed this year as well. His flexibility & strength have really helped him in his moves! I guess that's why his name is "Superflex" or "Mr. Flextastic" :}

The performing team got to show everyone thier "Evil Side of Disney" Production

The Finale: the boys getting another shot at impressing the crowd (who always loves them! :})

The instructors giving us their own entertaining performance

Ms. Diane's still got it!  

We love our instructors...they're the best!! :}

Now, everybody dance!

And for a special treat, Diane's daughter, Deja, got a surprise proposal to end the night!  

And of course, the answer was "YES"!

It's certainly been a challenging year for Diane, as she had to run the studio by herself, after Cathy's passing at the beginning of the season. She did a fabulous job & I saw even more of a bond between the girls this year, as they united together during this tough season!  

It's always a tear jerker moment when they honor the families of their students, who have since passed away. I enjoy getting the chance to see McKenzie (the one in the middle), the daughter of our previous Jazzercise student, Tanya. I know she would be very proud that she is continuing on her love of dance!

These poor girls just lost their Dad weeks before the recital. He was very supportive, as I saw him each week waiting for them at the Solo practices & coaching them on. I love how Dance Biz recognizes this & gives them the extra love & support they need during this difficult time. That's why it feels like it's just an extension to the family! :}  

Could she be any sassier?! :} 

(and no, I did NOT tell her to do that! She's just a poser, what can I say? :})

The Leach Family Reunion

I'd like to say we had "the whole" family together again, after way too long; but, I was happy to take "almost the whole family" (unfortunately, just minus my sister, Laurie, who was busy studying for finals back in Alabama instead :(. We love & miss you Laurie....hope you know that!). And we were missing Dylan too, since he happened to be at Millhollow Camp this night. If you don't know our family, well then, you should! This is one great group I tell ya! I think if I was to summarize my family as a whole, I would tell you they are the most genuine, caring, loving, kindest people around. That says a lot to our Mom & Dad for raising us to understand the importance of those qualities! We've certainly given them many obstacles to jump over the years. It's nice to know, despite all the madness 8 crazy kids can bring, they can look back & know they've done well, and survived ! :} Exactly how they did it will remain a mystery. But, I always say it helps to just naturally be a little crazy anyway! Ha Ha :}. We didn't know it would be quite the reunion it was. What we did know was that Steve & Kerri were coming to town, and we were very excited to spend some quality time with them! Then, (and I quote my little sister, Jen, "in pure Larsen style") Jen & her family decided last minute they should take a road trip back to Utah before school started again. She called mom & let her know they would be leaving Kentucky Wednesday evening. Mom says, "Can you be here by Thursday? Shauna & Doug are having a Family BBQ at their house". So, what do they do? They leave Wednesday morning instead & drive 1600 miles straight (and with 4 kids between the ages of 3-9 at that!). And they made it! It was hilarious, with  Glenn not knowing they were there, to walk in & wonder "who is this guy who looks a lot like Keith from the back?" Ha Ha, fooled him! Of course we love all time with our family, and cute nieces & nephews; but, particularly love getting whatever time we can from those who live out of town & that we don't get to see as often as we'd like. We know it's hard for them just the same. We hope they know how much we love & miss them, and think of them often!! We are so grateful they could all make the effort to be here, it really means a lot to us!

Steve showing us his new talent of making root beer (and also dinner cooked from a milk can!)

Of course, with our family together, it was a night full of fun & plenty of laughs.

Steve hasn't changed a bit with his silly antics! I remember many times growing up, him jumping in people's pictures. And I believe he was the originator of the "self pose" that you see so many people do now a days :}

We thought we'd recreate the pyramid that we did at the cabin last year :}

My awesome family

This is more like us :}

We got to get in a breakfast together before Steve & Kerri headed out

Glad to see Grandma was wide awake this time! :} (Poor thing, she's such a trooper...she was very tired that night at our house, and kept falling in & out of sleep!)

Have I told you how much I love my family?!!!