And They Danced...

January and February are filled with Ballroom competitions. All focused on getting ready for the National Competition in March at BYU. So we spent many weekends watching the boys dance. It was fun to see them improve; to place in a competition one week, not as well the next. Judging is a very fickle thing. I often would think they danced great and then they wouldn't make the cut. And then, I'd think, "They've danced better," and they'd make it to the final cut! I can't figure it out.

But, it was fun to watch and bittersweet knowing this may be the end of Kyle's ballroom time. Who knows if he dance again after his mission?

Devin's Team at Nationals
It's a fun Bollywood routine.
He is on the front left. His hair is dyed brown.

Now do you see him? Right in the center.

He's the front middle guy.

Devin and Amy competing.


They did great!

Kyle's Last Dance...maybe
Kyle and Megan
Doesn't he look sharp in his new tail suit?



They danced beautifully!
I could have watched them "Dance All Night."
Yes, I am humming the music from My Fair Lady.

Nationals showed off all their hard work.

Then the season ends. Oh wait,
One last thing...

Spring Concert.

Waltzing...

Then a sexy tango.

A little samba fun

Then my favorite...
my boys dancing in the same routine together,
for the first time!

Thanks for stepping in to help, Kyle.
It made for a wonderful memory.


To the Dance!

Mission? Where is Kyle going?

Our next big family event was...Kyle! Getting ready for a mission. Wisdom teeth pulled during Christmas break. Shots in January. Lots of interviews. And on February 2...the letter arrived! Where is Kyle going? Lots of family and friends came over to share in the excitement.

So he's going to Brazil!

Uncle Jeff and Uncle Mitch are very happy!


Sao Paulo, Brazil....here comes Kyle!

Christmas 2009

This may be our last Christmas with the whole family for a while. Actually, we weren't supposed to have Christmas with the Norris family, and we didn't. But, they did surprise us and join us for New Year's. I count anytime during the holidays as Christmas time. So, we were spoiled. Thanks Tiffany and Andrew for joining us before Kyle left us for two years.

Christmas PJs

Kyle got a Tail-suit for Ballroom

Devin got a camera

Larz got a new suit...sharp dressed man!

Larry & Cathy got a few gifts too...
But our favorite gift is...
just having the family all together.



Merry Christmas!

Catch Up: Isn't this a common post for everyone?

Well, I've been thinking about it for months. And now a year has almost gone by. I have to say, I had a good excuse for getting behind. More on that later. But, if I let more than a year pass by, I may never try to catch up. So here we go....

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year. Our house was full of family! It was great.

Tiffany and Taylor came a little early and we had them for a whole week. Andrew joined us closer to Thanksgiving.

It was a "Macfarlane year" for the dinner, but we were lucky to have time with both sides of the family. Jeff and Donna and Mom and Dad came over the weekend before Thanksgiving. We spent the first half of the week with the Mercers and the second half with Macfarlanes. John and Naomi made it up from Las Vegas; the whole family was there! We also had some bonus family members: Uncle Romney and Aunt Kathleen.

These five ran the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.
It was freezing! I think the runners were much
better off than the watchers.

Then we had family pictures!
Yes, it was a busy day.

Then, I was busy cooking, preparing, etc. So, no pics of our dinner. Sorry.

Tiffany and Andrew and Taylor were going to Alabama for Christmas;
here's a little early Christmas celebration.
Taylor loved it!

A thank you hug!
What a joy!

Yes, we still all love to watch Taylor.

A favorite family pass-time.

It's always so wonderful to have family around. It is the best blessing of Thanksgiving.

Devin Turns 16

Okay. It's time do some catching up.

In October, our youngest turned 16. He's very excited...dating, driving, a little more independence. He had a great party with friends. It's fun to watch these important stages in our son's life.

We actually celebrated twice.
Dinner with family at the Spaghetti Factory on the actual birthday.

Heavy, heavy hangover...

And another party on the weekend with friends.
Pizza anyone?

Devin's choice of "birthday cake."

Had to share this too.
The next day was Halloween.

Devin as Neo from the Matrix.

Major week of spoiling. :-)

Another One Leaves the Nest

Kyle has gone off to college! He headed off to the BYU campus this fall and he was pretty excited. He's living in the dorms, Helaman Halls. His roommate is from Arizona. They seem to be getting along well.
He may be close to home, but we rarely see him. I think he's liking this taste of independence; he hasn't shown much sign of homesickness. So, while Mom is a little sad about this, mostly we're glad he's enjoying his college experience. We hope he makes wonderful memories this year. The remaining three at home are rattling around and trying to find each other.