let's not forget the dancing

It wouldn't be a Thacker get together if there wasn't some kind of performance or dance production.  So true to our form, we watched Oakley and Sierra dance in their End of Year Showcase for Center Stage.  At these kinds of places is where we really get our most current family pics.  It's in our blood.

Good job Sierra and Oak!  And so proud of Jessie for all her hard work as Senior Company Director for Center Stage.  What a talented family I have.  And good lookin.

and here it is

Sonya Tayeh choreographed the following combination.

She's up on stage and my sister Sierra is the one of the left in the blue bickers and pink unitard.

I'm gonna brag--Sonya picked Sierra along with a few others to demonstrate to the class

and I jumped on it with my camera.

Proud moment.

A proud minute and 17 seconds to be exact.

Go Sierra go.

they danced. I watched.

My sister, Jessie's, dance company competed in the 24 seven Dance Convention/Competition this weekend.  My other sister, Sierra who is in Jessie's company competed with her team as well as individually for scholarships. It was a weekend full of eye lashes, rhinestones, shazam worthy music, and no sleep but the dancing was stellar.  Jessie choreographed beautiful pieces; one never the same and Sierra is one gorgeous dancer herself.  These two have enough talent for the whole family.  I was proud to be the observer, cheerleader, and photographer for the weekend and loved that they wanted me along.  I even recorded the combination from Sonya's class... next post?

Congrats Jessie and Sierra for a weekend that deserves some kudos.  You two impress me to no end.  Thanks for letting me tag along!

sister time

My dear sister, Jessie, took me to the annual Thriller production.  Weird not having any of my sisters in it this year, but it's always a fabulous show.  Halloween just isn't the same without it!  Thanks Jess for thinking of me.  I loved being your date.

without you

So.... 

your welcome.

it's in our blood

Dance is a part of my family like fry sauce is a part of Utah.

And I know I've said this before,

but nothing gives me more joy than seeing my little sister, Sierra

dance to the choreography to my other little sister, Jessie.

Beautiful pretty much sums it up.

Proud sister moment? I think so!

I can't wait to see where dance will take Sierra

and she's going places.

(have you seen her legs??? Dang!)

thought i'd share

my big kid night out

Last night I went out with my sisters to watch Justin Giles's Soul Escape.

So amazing to watch good dance again.

Scratch that, incredible dance.

And it was even better to watch it with my family.

Sierra (left) danced in the pre-show,

and Jessie (right) was able to come up from Vegas

and support SE as she danced with them last summer in their Dallas show.

And you want to know the best part?

Jake stayed home with M,

cleaned the bathrooms,

fixed our shower head,

and picked up the toy strewn house.

It was good to go out.

favorite song plus great dancing? please!

because it's valentines month

happy February to you all.

why not have a little love and dance this month?

enjoy.

it was a quick trip

 We left Friday and came back Sunday.  But it was a trip nonetheless.

Saturday involved sleeping in, out to breakfast, and hanging out by the pool.  That is 32 weeks in a swimming suit my friends.  (hence the black cover-up).

Of course after we went shopping, ate a late lunch, and then headed into the Flamingo...

The show was awesome.
Jake said I had perma-grin the whole 2 hours. (of course! my sis is on that stage!)
I'm not really sure what Donny and Marie were doing...but I sure know every dance move!


After, Jessie took us to a local restaurant off the strip called Firefly.  Oh yum.  This place was mouth watering.  Talk about everything and anything on one menu.

Then we made the long drive home Sunday. 

So we are a little (ok...maybe a lot) sad to be back.  The weather was warm, the food was delicious, and I got to hang with Jessie (in her new apartment with no furniture by the way).  This was our last trip for a long time so we savored it.

Now it's time to bring on February and then...March.  Come on babay!

the laptop is back from the doc

sorry friends, we had to take the laptop to a fix-it shop over the weekend, but now it's back, so shall we cover the most important part of the trip??? I agree too. Funny story though...

Donny got deathly ill so they canceled the show... i know right....after finally getting out there....but we got a little private showing of their rehearsal.  i'll take that.  

and jessie gave us a tour of the Marquis: backstage, dressing rooms, and all. so fun.

Marie even came over and introduced herself. (shocker.) we met the producers, stage managers, and other dancers.  then we watched rehearsal-- front row and center.  again- i'll take that.

don't worry, we have already planned a trip down to Vegas to see the show.  (try in two weekends. score!)  but it was simply amazing to see jessie on broadway.  seeing her on that stage was crazy (and a little emotional.) loved meeting the cast, seeing jessie work with the other dancers, and being in New York to share this moment with her.  Holy cow.  Life is good.  I'm so happy we made this trip to witness all of it.  When else will i be able to see my sister live her most amazing dream? Especially now with baby in the picture, life is gonna be different and i'm so glad we took advantage of this.

thanks jessie for dragging your "7 little ducks" around the big city, putting us all up in your apartment, and making it to broadway!!! we are so proud of you.  can't wait to see you in Vegas.

ok we're going

The original plan was to leave Monday, fly to New York, Jake and I stay in Jessie's Jersey apartment, and then leave Friday.  But because of all the crazy blizzards, and like the nine million people on the news, our flights got canceled.  And not just canceled, but no other way to reschedule.  New York airports are completely closed until Thursday.  Bad news as Jessie's last show is Thursday.

So after a prayer, crossing toes, and bribing a Delta agent we are officially leaving tomorrow.  BUT, we are now flying to Baltimore, taking a 2 hour train ride to New York, then taking the subway into Jersey (inhale. exhale.)  Oh, and now all 7 of us will be in Jessie's apartment.  Oh what we do to make this happen.

No matter how crazy this is, we are so grateful for our little miracle.  And, it will be quite the adventure: first train ride, 7 people sharing one bathroom, New Years in New York, and of course seeing my little sister dance on Broadway.  It always works out, and in this case, for the better.  So say a little prayer for us as we make our way across the country.  We would really like to get there this time.

Peace out folks.  Till Monday....

Photo found here

just a picture

 

me and sister Sierra.

That's all.

Happy Thursday.

going to vegas (and new york...)

the news is out!! jessie is now one of 12 dancers for the Donny and Marie Osmond Las Vegas show!!!!

And they will be taking their show to New York for December....guess where I'm going for Christmas??

ever since jessie was little, she wanted to take "How to be a Star" lessons.  well little sister, you did it! congrats!!! so friends if you ever find yourself in vegas, you know what show you need to see! (or New York during December...)

i'll have to let you know what she says about Donny and Marie.  she's been told they become almost family.  i'm so happy for her, and so happy she will be involved with such amazing, classy, and fun people like the Osmonds. congrats again jess!

oh and i had a birthday

amidst all the exciting news, forgot to post about the birthday! as you all know, we drove down to st. george and hung out with my sister jessie for the weekend.  (we will talk about that 4 hour drive later...oye...) saturday morning she took me to Bear Pawn and had the most amazing breakfast.  i'm still craving that belgium waffle...and then later that night we got to see her in Thriller at Tuacahn.  and i gotta tell ya, there is nothing like Thriller on an outdoor stage with the red rocks as the background.  perfect for halloween. and of course jessie was amazing. it was quite the ending to a perfect birthday. thanks jess for having us down and introducing us to all the local goldmines like that breakfast parlor.  i owe you for that one.  i just love birthdays.

cause this is thriller

once october hits, my family's life is consumed by Thriller.  both little sisters dance every night in the production; sierra in slc and jessie in the traveling cast.  and my sweet mom tries to make almost every one of them.  i saw sierra friday night at kingsbury and of course loved it.  (we get to see jessie in st. george on my birthday!)

anywho, sierra as a zombie was creepy and hilarious.  people avoided her...tee hee hee....crazy what a little halloween will do to sweet little people like sierra. i love it all!

out of retirement

(in our lovely hip hop costumes.)

because of these ladies,

i'm out of retirement and back into dance.
jaleah, emily, and i have been buddies since way back when and we keep in contact through our out-of-control adult dance class. wahoo!
we had a dance performance this past weekend that kicked our out-of-shape booties.
but not too shabby for some returning vets!

and what's even better, after the recital, jake still claimed me as his wife. (phew)
looking forward to next year ladies...