More 2012 - A little camping

Back in early fall, we went camping at Tyler State Park with Giggle, Granstan and Laura, too. They got an RV while we, self-righteously, did some "real camping" in our tent.

Our tent will soon be too small for our family of 4 AND the queen size air mattress!!  Oh... And I must admit the RV was a nice, cool escape from the bee swarm we encountered several times.  We also enjoyed lots of climate-controlled mealtimes in there.  Leah slept in/on/near the kitchen table one night and declared she like sleeping in the RV better than the tent. Boo!

Leah taking a "nap" in the RV... 

Getting ready to fish with Daddy...

  To touch the worm or not to touch the worm... that is the question...

Chillin with dad...

Our campsite was right next to the Sunday morning worship site... so nice to get up and go to church next door... Leah even went in her s'mores jammies. 

My favorite pic...

A little..... ummmm....  pole.... dancing??

One leg up and one leg down... I have seen this trend before...

We had campfires, made s'mores, candy apples, went fishing and paddle boating and did lots of relaxing while we were there. 

It was relaxing, and yet so very tiring... We LOVE camping!!

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More 2012 - A little dancer

Leah started her very first dance class in the fall, right after labor day. Its a combo class, tap and ballet.  These are things Leah's mommy knows NOTHING (and I mean zip, zero, zilch) about.  I don't know that I had ever been into a dance uniform shop before... what a strange experience. I don't believe I have ever been to a dance studio before this. And I feel like everyone knows it, too.  Ha!   

Her dance studio came highly recommended but they only have one weekday morning class available... which works best for us, but apparently there are very few others who choose this option.  There are only 3 girls in her class, but there have been several times she has gotten a private lesson. 

 First up... tap shoes... she is all about the loud shoes...

Sometimes a 2 to 1 teacher:student ratio! This was her very first lesson. (The other student wouldn't participate.) I am sure Leah prefers it this way.  Most of her life has been spent as the center of 1-2 adult person's attention at all times.... ready or not for a little sister???

 

Her favorite part is there at the end when they get to dress up and "freestyle."

The dramatic bow...

I can't deny, tiny ballet shoes are adorable.  As are tiny ballerinas. And although I am in the most unfamiliar, uncomfortable territory, I love that she loves it. 

We don't always act very graceful...

After her first class...

Ready for her second class. 

Each week Ms. Kathy gives a homework page to color with a new dance step... move...? She has corrected my pronunciation of several of the frenchy ballet steps, moves, positions... whatever you call them!!!

 

Our recital will be in June, so look forward to some entertaining pics and videos then! 

Judging by the costume and recital fees... we should all be mighty impressed!

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little firecrackers



This year, Leah got to watch fireworks with cousins, Jaxon and Mady.



One of the biggest hits of the whole day was glow-stick-necklaces

Waiting patiently for the dads to get back with snowcones...



Still... waiting...





YES...STILL...WAITING....



I seriously think we were still waiting even at this point.  The dads spent half of the fireworks show in the snowcone line. 

On the 4th, we went to OK for our annual get-together with Kevin's family.  Stopping at Max's for breakfast.



The princess of Independence



Having a poolside chat with cousin Mady.

Dinner at Gilley's with Giggle and Granstan.

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