Aladdin - Opening Night

The boys were asked to dance at Vashon Dance Academy again this year.  They started going on Saturdays in January, making for very busy weeks with no down time.  But, it has all paid off.  They were marvelous last night!  Here are a few photos I was able to take of their opening night performance.

Ian was Aladdin, Evyn was Genie, and Ethan was the Spanish Prince.

Recital 2014 - If I Didn't Have You

This is the kids' teen ballroom class piece.  It was called "If I Didn't Have You" and was choreographed by Christine Luders.  The boys' friends (from scouts) are in this:  Mark and Noah Mathis and Tyler Bell.

Mark Mathis, Ethan, Carsyn Blair, Alyssa Bruce, Ian or Evyn

Evyn dipping Carsyn and Alyssa

Brenna Lindstrom, Mark Mathis, Ali Newhouse, Ethan, Taryn Todd, Evyn, Amber, and Tyler Bell

Amber and Ethan, Ali and Mark, Brenna and Evyn

Mark Mathis

Amber and Tyler Bell

Recital 2014 - Crystallize

These are the photos I got over the two days of Amber's dance called "Crystallize".  It was choreographed by Steven Mann.  He has a master's degree in jazz dance.  It was a fabulous piece.  Steve had very specific lighting cues for his piece and the light guy had to do the lighting as the number was live on stage.  Turned out perfectly.  The eyes are not quite what Steve wanted as the mother's balked.  He wanted them more stark and angular - but a couple girls had VERY quick changes and no time to do a heavy makeup, so we ended up with what you see here.

Ian graduated from HomeSchool and Olympic College

Two years ago Ian started the Running Start program at Olympic College.  Today he graduated with a high school diploma and his Associate of Arts degree.  In August he will be heading off to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.

Yesterday there was a celebration at Grace Bible Church for the graduates.

Evyn and Ethan are Uncle Juan and Uncle Chu (1 and 2).  They were silly.

After the video presentations about the graduates they got to take the balloon sprays and add them to their tables.  L-R:  Patrick, Nathan, Katelyn, Abby, Ian, and Ryuya (exchange student from Japan).

Their cakes

Ian's table - it's supposed to be all about him:  dance shoes, Eragon books, scouting things, CDs of his favorite music (80s rock), and frisbee.  The verse on the side of the board is his Bible verse he chose to represent him the best or the one that speaks to him the most, and then photos on the board.

This is one of our two tables.  Aaron and Sandor came.  The other table is Lori Bell and her son, Tyler, and Desiree Mathis and her son, Mark.  (We don't have a photo of them.)

Today's festivities:

Before

Center top of photo - good thing he's tall!

They all managed to sit together.

Time for the awarding of the AA degrees.  His row is finally allowed to get up and go.  Again, good thing he is tall!  (He is under the O of Olympic in the banner on the balcony.)

Almost there

One more student and then it's his turn for his name to be called.  Katelyn Schneewind is getting her congratulations and Patrick just had his name called ... and then Ian.

Ian's name is called!

Ian is handed his "degree"/"diploma".  However - it's not in there.  They have to review his grades.  He'll get it some time in July :(

I don't know as he even saw us.

Had to start standing on the chairs and zoomed in as far as I could and then photo editing brought this closer.

Amber went up to get him after they came out of the other side of the building.

Love this photo.

Ride home

We are so very proud of him.  Yesterday he found out he made the President's list!  4.0 across the board this last semester!