Snow Day - No School!

It started snowing last night around 5 pm and is still going strong 24 hours later!  So far I'd say we have around a foot and half of snow!  Of course, Anna had no school, so she helped Tim shovel the driveway into a big sledding hill in our front yard.  I, of course, wisely stayed inside by fireplace!

Our trip to Disney!

While we were in Orlando in January, we had a fun day at Epcot.  Anna had been there with the triplets the year before, so she acted as our tour guide...very cute!  We rode all the rides...some more than once and met some very special Disney characters the next morning at breakfast!

What a beautiful day to be at Epcot!

Anna is a great photographer!

We met Disney's newest character - Duffy Bear!

Anna had a little chat with Alice!

They posed...

Bye-bye!!

Oh, no!  Where is Anna???

We walked and walked and walked...

...and found the highlight of Anna's day - face painting!

Anna spent her own money on a special "Pluto" hat!

At a Luau-themed breakfast the next morning, we met Pluto himself and he signed Anna's hat!

She got Mickey Mouse's autograph too!

Smile!!

Anna met Lilo...

...and Stitch!

But, Anna's favorite moments were just before we left for the airport - a run on the beach!

And some quiet time with Daddy!

For us, it was almost like a second honeymoon!

It was a perfect weekend!

Jo is inducted into the UCWDC Hall of Fame!!

What an honor it was to be the first line dancer inducted into the UCWDC Hall of Fame at 2012 World's XX last Saturday in Orlando, Florida!  I was thrilled to be able to accept the award in person and share that moment with Tim and Anna.  

I received a beautiful crystal globe, a lovely pendant and an awesome belt buckle that all say "2012 United Country Western Dance Council Hall of Fame".  I'm so excited...I've never won a belt buckle for anything before!  It's my first!  

It was also a privilege to be able to dedicate that award to my mom, Rita, for being my inspiration, my support, my role model and my co-choreographer for all these years!  It's hard to believe we've both been teaching for 32 years!

Anna's favorite part of the weekend was having her face painted at Epcot and getting Mickey Mouse and Pluto's autographs at breakfast!  Photos and video will be added later...

Santa Anna!

Anna had a great time going with her friends Ali and Lizzy to see Santa.  They got all gussied up and looked beautiful!  I'm sure they are on Santa's nice list!! 

Anna had another highlight this week.  She said the morning prayer over the loud speaker at school for everyone to hear!  We are so proud of her...she spoke very loud and clear and did a superb job!

We wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season!  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Grandparent's Day at school

Just before Anna's school let out for Thanksgiving break, they celebrated Grandparents Day.  What a treat it was for Anna to have our dear friends Scott and A.J. come as "adopted" grandparents!  Thanks guys...we love you!   Anna was also presented with nice cards from Boppa and Meema wintering in Arizona and Memaw Rita in Texas.  It was a delightful day for all and a nice way to kick off the holiday break! 

Anna reads her grandparent's poem to Scott.

Anna shows A.J. her turkey in disguise - Bronco's quarterback Tim Tebow

Anna gets to read her "interview" questions to the class on her teacher's "rock star" microphone!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

A couple of days ago, on 11/10/11, I (Jo) turned 1 year old!!  Exactly a year ago I received my stem cell/bone marrow transplant at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX.  For transplant patients that day becomes your new "birthday".  My donor, my brother Eddie, is my hero as he literally saved my life!  I am doing well but still recovering.  I guess it just takes time.  Maybe I'm learning patience!  I still take medications to make sure Eddie's stem cells and my body don't "fight" too much and to protect me from infections.  As of now my bone marrow is 77% Eddie and the rest something else...I guess me.  The goal is to eventually be 100% Eddie...minus the facial hair!  I guess that will require more patience!  But, what stands out to me is how quickly the past year has gone and how blessed we have all been!!  Thank you Lord!!

Happy Halloween 2011!!

Well, Halloween weekend was great fun.  The snow let up a day or two so I was able to get my Halloween decorations up just in time!

Anna's prize pumpkin from the Big Pumpkin Little Pumpkin Fun Run was finally carved.  It took all of us to get it done with Tim almost loosing a finger (grin).

 We joined our good friends John and Deborah for a delightful costume party.  I haven't worn that much make-up in a loooong time!

And the grand finale of the weekend...Trick or Treating!  Anna dressed as a "Jazzy Cat" wearing last year's jazz dance recital costume and a few extra accessories.  I feel a little guilty about putting false eyelashes on my 6 year old, but she was pretty "jazzed" about it!  Several of our friends come over with their kids, we had a pot-luck dinner and the kids went around the neighbor to collect their loot...what fun!  I will add some group shots later...