Dancing Queens

Apologies for being MIA lately. With summer activities, a new job (!!) and wedding planning, the ol' blog has been on the back burner. I'm not making in promises it'll get any better this summer, but I'll do my best :) 

But for today, I'll share some pics of my beautiful cousins from their LAST recital! They were phenomenal! It's been fun to go back and watch them grow into such incredible dancers - even though they are wrapping up their time at the dance academy, I have no doubt that dance will continue to be a be part of their lives.

Audrey is off to college and Jenna will be starting her senior year. Pretty crazy, huh? I know I'm young, but when people who I once babysat start going off the college, it really makes me feel a little more old. 

Jenna's solo.

Audrey's solo. 

The Nutcracker

Once again, my cousins made me proud in the Nutcracker. This year, their roles were reversed: Miss Jenna was the lead as Clara and Miss Audrey was the Snow Queen. Both were absolutely stunning. These little ladies have serious talent. Since graduation is knocking on their door (where does time fly?!), I hope they are both able to continue to do what they love - dance. Lord knows, I'll be cheering them on from the audience!

P.S. The Nutcracker from last year.

The final curtsy and bows - both of them front and center!

The dancing queens with my grandma and me :)

The Nutcracker

Jenna and Audrey certainly shined on the stage! I had a perma-smile during the entire performance. They were breathtaking and so incredibly graceful (and tear-jerking for my Grandma!). I already can't wait for next year!
We also got to watch the adorable Katierie and Taryn, our close family friends. They love their Miss Koby. And Miss Koby loves them :)

Break a leg, ladies.

You know how parents always say, "they grow up so quickly!" Well, even as a cousin, I wholeheartedly agree. My adorable, sweet, little cousins who I used to babysit - Audrey and Jenna - are growing into beautiful women. Tonight, I'm going to watch them in the Skagit Valley Academy of Dance's Nutcracker performance. As two of the leads, Clara and the Snow Queen, I have no doubt they will dazzle the crowd.

Even though I turned my pointe shoes in for dance team pom poms (after nearly 10 years of ballet!), I still have a soft spot in my heart for the grace and beauty of ballet. Especially when it involves people you love! Good luck and break a leg, Audrey and Jenna!