DANCE!

I suppose it's about time I mention the thing we do A LOT of and spend A LOT of time doing~ dance. This is something that Skyler & I enjoy very much and are lucky enough to get to do it together. I have to admit~ sometimes being Skyler's instructor can be challenging, especially when we are working one on one and I ask her to try something and she says she can't~ something I know she wouldn't do if I was not her mother! Not only that, I am probably hardest on her than any other student in the class and sometimes end up feeling very guilty for that. But, I have to say, Skyler takes it in stride & is one tough cookie. I think that experience has made her stronger. She also has a drive to succeed that I don't remember having at her age. It's so neat to see.

This past weekend, we had a competition here in Colorado Springs where Skyler got to compete her solo for the first time this season, as well as 5 other group numbers. Her solo scored a"Top First" and she also got 5th place in the photogenic category! (thanks, Carmen for taking those beautiful pics!).

We are so proud of Skyler & it makes me excited to see what the future holds for her in dance & all she decides to do!

(Oh, BTW, Skyler did a hip hop solo to "Boyz" by M.I.A.)

A New Year....January Happenings

I can't believe January is almost over and this is my first post of the year! January has been very busy for us. We started off the New Year with a big party with family and friends. It was a fun night and good way to kick off the New Year!
Skyler has been busy with basketball & dance. Unfortunately, she developed an infection in her foot & it took several weeks, many doses of antibiotics and an MRI to tell us that. The doctors thought she may have had an infection in the bone, but the MRI revealed it had not gotten into the bone, thankfully. She was able to dance this past weekend after being off of it for over 3 weeks. She was so happy to be back on her foot and running, jumping & dancing again.
Cadence started Hippotherapy today. Hippotherapy is a form of therapy that done upon a horse. The word comes from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse. Riding horses can improve core strength and movement that can improve balance, posture, behavior & cognitive functions. Cadence was very eager to get on his horse, Taan-Taan today & was not afraid at all! I was able to get a few shots, but tried to be sneaky & quick so he wouldn't see me! The Pikes Peak Therapuetic Riding Center is out in Black Forest and only a few minutes away from our house, so that is a plus. I am looking forward to adding hippotherapy to our schedule for some time to come.
Skyler also started cooking classes today as an after school program. She was very excited when I picked her up today and said it was pretty cool. They made "spiced chicken" and she ate it before we got home. I am hoping this will help her to try new things as she is our "picky" eater! It actually works out great that she is in this class because Cade's hippotherapy is at 3:30 and she gets out of school at 3:30, so I would have had to take her out of school early to get to Black Forest on time, so this works out wonderfully. She will head to the cooking class right after school and is finished at 4:45. Cade gets done at 4:30, so with the drive back to Falcon, it is perfect!

Although we had a good week here in Colorado that was unseasonably warm (60's or so), we've also had some cold days & nights! Brandon likes to start a fire in the fireplace. I love having a woodburning fireplace and the kids like toasting marshmallows and making s'mores as a special treat!

A DeYoung Family Christmas

Our attempt at a family picture! Skyler & Cadence playing "Gone Fishin"

Cadence loves his new books!

Skyler got a new memoboard!

Cadence'e 2 favorite things- Elmo & Dinosaurs!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY/GRANDPA TOMMY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!

Merry Christmas to Our Military!

I just wanted to remember those who will not be home this Christmas to celebrate with their loved ones because they are fighting for our freedom. This is a picture of my Dad taken in '98. Although he was home that Christmas, he was not in 1994. While all of us spent the Holidays in New York City, Dad was in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. He was actually gone most of my sophomore year of high school. Having a parent gone off to war is never easy, and Christmas time makes it that much harder. I wish I would have known this song then. I'm sure I asked Santa to bring my Dad home too! I love you Daddy!! And someone has a birthday tomorrow....

A Night With....ELMO!

This evening, Cadence and I headed to the Pike's Peak Center to see "Sesame Street Live! Elmo Makes Music". The tickets were a gift from Grandma & Grandpa Tanhoff to Cadence for Christmas! What better gift for Cadence than his 3 favorite things: music, dancing and ELMO! Although he enjoyed all the Sesame Street characters, he is simply fascinated with Elmo. He would get a little nervous when Elmo would leave the stage and repeatedly ask for him, but Elmo was never off for very long. There was always so much to see and the show was interactive. During intermission, we got up to walk around and Cadence kept asking & signing "more". I assured him there was more Elmo to come. We were only 6 rows from the front, so we had a GREAT view.
Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for a wonderful gift~ as you can see, he was over the moon!






Cadence signing for "more" Elmo at intermission!

The Sesame Street Gang!

Ernie is asking to help him find the number of the day!

Taking it all in...........

Elmo & Grover (who happens to be MY favorite)