Programs and Pioneers

These past few weeks we have attended some delightful programs.  First we met Pam, Roger, Stacy, Missy, Ellie, Mindy, Jeff, Josh, Jake (Sydney's boyfriend) and other family and friends of Stacy and Tom - and were treated to the Young Ambassador's program "Heartsongs of Love".  Sydney Young (a freshman at BYU) is a member of the Young Ambassadors and she was the featured soloist in two of the program's numbers.  The group of just 20 elect performers sings and dances with a fast paced show that involves a live band, special staging, lighting and lots of props and many costume changes.  Sydney has such a beautiful smile, that she truly lights up the stage when she performs!  She sings and dances like a seasoned performer.  We enjoyed the show and the opportunity to share this special evening with Pam and Roger's family.  They can be very proud of Sydney!

Many of the group with Sydney after the show

Hal and I with Sydney - the star!

The second and third program we attended was "It All Started With A Mouse" - a dance show featuring music from Disney movies.  With 4 grandaughters performing, we couldn't miss this program and we actually attended two of the performances!

Here is Violet as one of the baby mice dancing in the "Working Song" from Snow White.  She loved being in the show and did a great job with her dance!

Dorothy danced in two numbers: "Step in Time" from Mary Poppins and "Little Mermaid" from the Disney production of that show.  I was so proud of Dorothy as she danced the difficult steps of her dances and did her parts perfectly! She shows great promise as a dancer!

Sareya also danced in "The Little Mermaid" and she took the part of 

"little Belle" in the Princesses' dance.

Here, Sareya is dancing a solo part to the theme from Beauty and the Beast. She was graceful and confident as she performed!

"Little Belle" and "Belle" dance a duet.  This was such a lovely way to feature young dancers with some of the more advanced students. We were so proud of Sareya as she danced this special part of the show.

"Belle" and "Little Belle" take a bow.

Posing with some of the stars after the show

Aleeya (like Violet) danced as a baby mouse in the "Working Song" from Snow White.  She did a great job dancing her part with a big, happy smile!

The fourth program was Kyra's choir concert with music from many countries of the world.

Kyra is a member of  the Salem Junior High Concert Choir and serves as section leader for the sopranos.

Kyra looks so pretty in her blue formal.  Her choir performed a cute song from Africa, an American ballad and most fun for me - a Russian folk song.  I am proud of Kyra and her musical abilities!

Lunch and the Pioneer Museum
Grandma, Daughter's and Grandaughter's Outing

We began with a delicious lunch at Sizzler.

The girls always love it when they can choose just what they like from the salad, food and ice cream bar.

After lunch, we headed for the Pioneer Museum in Springville.  This museum is sponsered by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and included lots of photos, artifacts and interesting items from the early settlers of Springville and Mapleton.

 Here are Violet, Kyra, Aleeya, Sareya and Dorothy in front of the museum.

 Allison, Lillian and Ella inside the museum

 Kelly, Alleya, Violet, Tricia, Kyra and Dorothy

The DUP volunteers were so nice to us as we looked at the museum and then they called one of the board members to come over to direct the activities for kids ( these are available in the basement of the museum and usually you must make an appointment to participate - but they made an exception for us!).  First, the girls dressed in pioneer clothes and had a chance to pull or ride in a handcart.

Then the sweet volunteer taught the girls to make pioneer dolls and baskets from scraps of material and yarn. She also told them pioneer stories as they worked on their crafts.

The dolls were so cute!  Violet loves her pink doll!

Here, Dorothy is putting her doll together.

 It took lots of weaving and tying to make the little baskets.

 The girls were so pleased with what they created.

Working hard on their crafts - the moms helped the younger "pioneers".

 Sareya and Lillian worked carefully on their projects.

 Kelly helped Aleeya and Allison helped Ella learn to weave their baskets.  Grandma and Tricia helped Violet with hers.

 Here are Aleeya, Kyra, Lillian and Ella posing for a picture with one of the statues (Mark Twain) in front of the Museum.  They are holding their dolls and baskets.  It was a fun day to be with my daughters and grandaughters and make some happy memories!

Jessica, Gigi and Hailey - we all wished that you could have joined us!!