Shyann;'s First Ballet Recital

Shyann has spent the past year taking ballet lessons from Creative Arts Academy in Bountiful, Utah.  Tonight they had their annual ballet recital at Bountiful High School.  She was a Bluebird in the tale of Cinderella.  What a beautiful bluebird she was!  Her smile lit up the stage!

Our favorite bluebird in costume!

On stage with Cinderella at dress rehearsal the bluebirds are practicing spreading their wings!

On stage at dress rehearsal.

 I wasn't able to get any pictures during the performance but did manage to snap this one of her curtain call!  We were so proud of our little dancer.  Being on stage performing can be a bit intimidating at the tender age of 6 but she was beautiful!

The Bluebirds bow for their curtain call.

 After the show Shyann was radiant.  She was so excited to get two bouquets of flowers--one from each of her grandparents!  She is a beautiful little ballerina!

A ballerina and her roses!

New Baby Photo Shoot

We were blessed with the birth of two beautiful grandbabies in the month of February.  Alex Porter Everett was born on February 9, 2012.  Taylor Lyn Bradshaw was born on February 26, 2012.  It was a crazy couple of weeks for both moms and this grandma!  Things are starting to settle down to what we now call our "new normal".  We decided to get the two cousins together for a joint photo shoot while they were still at an agreeable age!  Here are our end results.

Taylor and Alex get acquainted!

My first ride in a Tonka truck!

We started our photo shoot using a variety of colors,poses, and props.  Some worked well--others not so well.  Gratefully we had two very content babies and two very patient moms!  I need to make a disclaimer right from the beginning--I got a new Nikon 5100 camera for Christmas and am trying to figure out how to use it.  It is a lot more camera than I need and my first SLR.  With old eyes and constantly changing subjects, the art of focusing, zooming, and capturing the moment without a flash is a challenge!  So little Taylor and Alex when you see these pictures one day and wonder what in the world was Grandma doing, just know that I was doing the best I knew how at the time!  Hopefully things will improve with time and practice!

Since we have both a baby boy and a baby girl we took the opportunity to do shots in blue and pink camo for their daddy's!

Alex Porter Everett

Love close-up shots of tiny hands!

Sleeping baby Alex

Little Taylor Lyn Bradshaw was wide awake for her camo shot!

Taylor in camo for her daddy!

Warm, comfortable and ready for a snooze!

We turned on the gas fireplace and as the room warmed our two babies settled in for some much needed rest!  I love the innocence and sweetness of a sleeping baby!  It truly is a bit of heaven on earth!

While Taylor slept we captured a few sweet candid shots.  Katie loved changing the bows in her hair and the blankets she was wrapped in.  It is a mom's prerogative to play dress-up with her new baby girl!

A bit of heaven on earth!

Ten tiny toes!

I am so blessed to live close to my daughters and get to spend an afternoon enjoying these beautiful babies.  Truly there is no joy equal to or better than being a grandmother and watching your children with your grandchildren!  I look forward to many more memories with them!

Alex 's Blessing Day

Today, Sunday, March 4, 2012, was the blessing day of Alex Porter Everett.  He was blessed by his father, Richard Wade Everett.  Alex is our third grandson and the third child of Rick and Tina Everett.

Blessing Announcement

Alex Porter Everett was blessed by his father, Richard Wade Everett.  He was dressed in a white knit outfit.  He was a calm, content little boy during his blessing.  After sacrament meeting, family and friends came to our home for a celebration of this wonderful occasion.

Alex in his blessing outfit.

The Rick Everett Family
Tina, Ashton, Alex, Rick, Shyann

Little baby Alex was surrounded by loving family and friends.  It was so fun to gather, talk, laugh, eat, and share memories together.  Alex seemed to enjoy being the center of attention!  He was calm, alert, and didn't seem to mind being held by anyone and everyone who came! 

Lots of Cousins
MaKenna (MIchelle's roommate), Michelle Belliston,
Jeremy, Amber, Ammon, and Jake Olsen

Grandpa and Grandma Everett

Aunt Katie and Uncle Mark Bradshaw

The Kirk Tidwell Family
Jamison, Reagan, Kirk, Stratton, Heidi, McKinley, Kennedy

Tim and Tay Olsen

Aunt LeeAnn Robins

Aunt Nancy and Matt Thomas

Grandma and Grandpa Robins

We took the opportunity to get the cherished four generation photo.  We are so lucky to live close to family and be able share these special memories.

Four Generations!
Grandma Robins, Great-grandpa Olsen, Alex, Mom, Great-grandma Olsen

Blessing Day Preparations

 I made a baseball themed motorcycle diaper cake to serve as the decoration centerpiece for Alex's blessing day.  It had baseball socks as mudflaps, a burp cloth as a seat, bottle as the headlight with a baseball binkie as the gearshift and a blanket and socks as the handlebars.  Tina loved it--I knew she would--she loves baseball!

 We took a brand new baseball and stamped Alex's tiny handprint on it.  On the other side we put his name and birthdate.  It will be a fun momento of a special day.