Nutcracker

Just a few pictures to recap Jensen's Nutcracker experience this year.

It was another BIG year for Jensen and the Nutcracker.

She earned "pointe" roles and her first Tutu.

A few of the Sr. Corps for Snow

Yes, Jensen is the shortest!
Jensen's Chinese group.
They were so fun to watch.

Jensen and her friend Lauren.
They went to Detroit together this summer for ABT summer intensive.
Lauren was Snow Queen this year.

It was another fabulous year for Nutcracker.

Way to go Jensen!

We are so proud of you!

It was so worth it!

Yesterday was my annual marathon cinnamon roll baking day. The recipient list grew longer this year and so more cinnamon rolls to make. I started the fun at 7:00 AM with over 200 cinnamon rolls to make. What was I thinking?

Not only did it involve making cinnamon rolls, but also making tags (homemade, of course), wrapping in cellophane and tying with Christmas ribbon. Quite the process.

The first deliveries started yesterday afternoon at about 2:00 and last night I dropped off the last batch at 7:45. Yes, you do the math...almost 13 hours start to finish!

It was so worth it!! Our neighbors are not really fond of us. We do not have a neighborly feel in our cul-de-sac. It makes me sad.

So, this year I decided to take cinnamon rolls to all the neighbors. Out of 6 houses, 4 actually answered the door. Not bad!

This morning my neighbor Collette stopped me in my driveway and came over. She thanked me over and over again for thinking of them and making and baking homemade cinnamon rolls. She was truly grateful and appreciative. We had a lovely conversation, which has not occurred in quite some time.

Those 13 hours of back breaking work were So Worth It !! One little act of kindness can do so much good. My heart is so thankful that barriers were taken down a bit.

This is what Christmas is all about!

Winter Formal

Winter Formal was quite the extravaganza. I was exhausted and I think the teenagers were also. They played hard!

Recap...Friday night was pizza at our house and then they took the light rail to a Phoenix Suns game. Got free tacos and were still hanging out at 1:30 AM Saturday morning.

Saturday morning the girls took cinnamon rolls to their dates.

Mackenzie's date was a good sport and took Alec up on a little Nerf battle before pictures. The group took pictures at Agritopia. Formal dinner was at our house Saturday night after pictures. They dined on Cesear Salad, french bread, Fettucine Alfredo and pizzacookies (?).

Went to Temple lights, watched Elf and then danced the night away. After the dance they went to Amanda's house for an outside movie, warm fire and treats.

The pictures will tell the story. Excuse the camera work...was just learning on the new camera.

Fun memories!!

Winter Formal Group

Annie came over to help Kenzie

Tanner and Alec in a Nerf battle

Kenzie

Never serious

Friends

What a good looking group

Cute couple

Best Friends

Dinner Table

~Scott~

Happy Birthday Scott!

I sure do Love this man! Today is his special day....his Birthday! What I love about this man...


* His faith; strong and unfaltering.
* Scott is the most unselfish person I know. Rarely does he do something for just him. He doesn't want to spend 4 hours golfing, because that could be family time.
* Hardworking! Scott has always had an incredible work ethic. He will do whatever it takes.
* Scott has a great sense of humor. He is sarcastic and very good at the quick come back.
* Positive Attitude. The glass is always half full.
* Fantastic Father to our children.
* Scott is my best friend. We started out as friends and our relationship grew from that friendship.
* Forgiving, Scott does not hold grudges. He will forgive and forget.
* Smart! There is very little that Scott does not know or can not figure out.
* Scott is extremely level headed and is great at explaining another view to a situation.
* Great travel companion!


Scott, Happy Birthday!! I love you and look forward to many more celebrations! ~Brandee~

Uncanny Resemblence

Can you name this actress?

Recently we were told one of our daughters

strongly resembled her.

Can you guess which one?

at home waiting

For my Christmas Present

FedEx should be delivering this little baby to me today.

Just in time for Winter Formal pictures,

Nutcracker pictures and the holidays.

My only concern is will I be able to use this quickly?

Like by tomorrow morning?

This Week....

Life is crazy, busy, overwhelming and going faster than I like. Here is a little about all the craziness....

1. Sunday family dinner with visiting brother in-law.


2. Monday, family shopping for name gifts. We each draw a name then we go to Target and have a $20.00 limit. It can be tricky at times.


3. Tuesday, baked rolls for Relief Society dinner and did prep work for Young Women's dinner.


4. Wednesday was a half day for school. Kenzie and friends hung lights for Winter Formal this weekend. Jensen was buried in homework study packets, poor Alec was bored and lonely as I was working on Christmas cards, preparing for the dinner party, doing laundry and cleaning house. We had 30 YW and leaders at our home for the annual YW dinner. It was a fabulous night.


5. Thursday, finally made it back to my trainer (after 2 1/2 months of back problems), errands, Post Office (need I say more), finished Christmas cards and put them in the mail, started organizing for Winter Formal and Scott's birthday.


6. Friday...I am tired and now comes the really busy stuff. Baking dessert for Nutcracker cast party, cast treats for Jensen's friends, dinner tonight for Kenzie's formal group, cinnamon rolls for the girls to take to their dates tomorrow morning and then the Formal dinner tomorrow night at our house.

Lots of baking, cooking, cleaning and entertaining. So much fun! This is what it is all about. I can't believe that everything came on the same week.

Jensen is in her last weekend of the Nutcracker. YEAH!! Right now she is suffering from a terrible cold and laryngitis. Poor Girl!

Tomorrow we start with cinnamon rolls for a bunch of great, cute boys. We are hosting the Formal dinner, doing make up and hair for Kenzie and Amanda and taking pictures.

Tis the Season!

Family Photos

This week I was finally able to get our family together for family photos. Just a few of my favorites. Jill was so fabulous!! She dealt with our scheduling problems, met us at the temple and took some fantastic photos. Thanks Jill!! They are beautiful and I can't wait to see the rest. You can check out Jill at www.benddownlow.blogspot.com