2013 Fourth of July

I'm catching up. :) :)  Kinda.

This year's fourth of July was a bit different than most.  With Lexie attending Layton High and being a Lancelle, we actually had to attend our own town's parade. :)

We found a shady spot and were pleasantly surprised we weren't overwhelmed by crowds.  I did have to claim our spot the night before, but in these parts that is all part of the fun.

All of the Lancelles met at the start of the parade route.  The girls ran through their military parade routine (thus the angry faces) and then it was time to go.

After dropping Lex off, we headed over to our shady spot.  Grandma and pa Dopp and Nikki and Clint were so nice to come and support Lexie.  In a lot of ways, we felt like we were defecting from the neighboring city.  But, in the end, it was still fun.  We knew a lot of kids in the parade and it was fun to see them do their thing.

Jackson and Col didn't seem to mind our new surroundings.  Izzy was around there somewhere.  I'm sad I didn't get a picture of her.  If I were betting, I'm sure she was on Grandma's lap. :)

I hesitate to insert this picture in the blog.  But... since this is our family record, I gotta.  See those glasses?  Sadly I had to wear them for TWO weeks.  It was torture for me.  But, the pain was worth the gain.  I was prepping for my eye Lasik surgery.  I had to tell myself, "This is worth it!  This is worth it!"  And, it was.  I love not having to worry about my contacts.  I just hope the results will last for at least ten years.  I'm afraid I'll be using reading glasses sooner than I would like.  Getting old kinda sucks. :)

Two of Lexie's cheerleader friends from last year are LHS Cheerleaders.  It was fun to see Krystal and Aspynn.  It was kind of weird to see them in high school cheer uniforms.  These girls will be graduating before we know it.

And finally, it was the Lancelles.  We're so proud of Lexie and her accomplishments and hard work.  The team puts in an enormous amount of hours and effort.  It shows.  They are great at what they do and Lex loves almost every minute.  ;)

 Lex is the second one in toward the middle.

 

The bad thing about blogging so many months later is that the details aren't very fresh.  I think we went to Grandma's after the parade.  We also switched it up and went to LHS fireworks with Lex.  Their show was impressive. But... if we do it again, we need to find a better spot.  We didn't love where we were sitting.

 

All in all, it was a fun holiday.  We love celebrating our freedom and our beautiful country.  We are so blessed.

Lancelle Pictures 2013-14 Team

For teenagers, summer is supposed to be a time for relaxation and being lazy.  But for Lex, it has been busy, busy, busy.  School ended the first week of June and the Lancelle team didn't miss a beat.  The girls were in the gym learning and practicing their new routines that same month.

Not only were they practicing every morning from 6 AM! until 9am, they also went to BDT Drill Camp and performed in the Layton 4th of July Parade.  The rest of July brought a moratorium for practice - thank goodness.  Lex cherished those few days of sleeping late.

Now that we are in August and the count down for the start of school has begun, the team is once again hitting it hard.  Early morning practices have started once again and next week is choreography week practices that last most of the day.  There is fun too.  Tomorrow the team performs at the REAL Soccer game in SLC.  It is an all day event, but will be so memorable!  

On top of that, Lex is taking summer Driver's Education.  Watch Out!  She has been on the roads!  Even though she is a good driver, I'm terrified!



Lexie has had such a good experience with the Lancelle team.  It has been a true learning experience for her and for us.  You see..... Lancelles was NOT part of Lou-Lou's master plan.  For YEARS, the plan was to go to Davis High  in Kaysville.  But.... it wasn't meant to be. Lex put in her variance and was denied. Stupid lottery system! :(  She appealed the denial and was rejected.  And, this week, DHS made phone calls to some of those denied to tell them their variance had been accepted.  GRRRRR!  But, Lex never got a phone call.  Yep.  She is on her destined path, that is for sure. For whatever reason, she is meant to go to Layton High School.

In a lot of ways, this year is a fresh start for Lex.  A good portion of her close friends are going to DHS and the boy she liked is going to DHS.  (The Jr. High feeds into two high schools.)  While she has a large circle of friends, most of her closest crew are bound for DHS.

But, a new school means new opportunities.  So far, she has met some amazing girls on the dance team.  Hopefully, throughout the year, these new acquaintances will transform into beautiful friendships.  We're crossing our fingers.  

Speaking of beautiful!  Don't you love this picture of Lex?  I'm her mom, but.... Wow!  What a beauty!  She was going for a vintage look mixed with her sense of style and "Lexie flare".  I think she nailed it with this jacket my mom wore to the temple on the day she was married.  I then work the outfit (it has a matching skirt) for my mom and dad's 40th Wedding Anniversary Party.  What a fun way to carry on family legacy.

We love you Lexie!  School is just a few weeks away.  We are so proud of you.  You try hard to do what is right and to be an example of light to those around you.  Your confidence in yourself allows you to reach out to others, smile, and move forward even though sometimes you too are unsure of the way.  Your future may be different from what you planned out in your mind.  But, I know you will meet this challenge just as you have every other challenge in your life.  You'll land on your feet and I predict you are going to have a fabulous Sophomore year at LHS.  Go Lancers!

PS - Ryan even bought a Lancer shirt.  Crazy, crazy.  It is a little trippy to see him in Lancer blue. :)  But... it is all good.  It is going to be great! :)