A New Year, A New Dress

We are fortunate to have an active community of adoptive families in our area that know how to throw a good party!   We have been attending the annual Chinese New Year celebration since Sarah was two.  I can't help but smile as I look at these pictures, past and present.  

This year, the kids did a lantern dance to welcome the Year of the Horse...

Sarah LOVES to dance, and looks forward to performing every year.  (She takes a ballet and tap dance class, but is most excited about dancing for Chinese New Year.)

 2014, seven years old

 The lion parade is so much fun!

And now, a look back...

 Last year (2013), six years old

 2012, five years old

 2011, our cute 4 year old ribbon dancer

 2010, three years!

2009, two years old, and home for just a few months!

3 out of 50

Family pictures are a stressful event for me.  Not sure why, but they just seem to be.  But I love them, so we press on with the tradition every year. This year was even more challenging, since our oldest son is in college, and the times when we are all together are very limited.

I took 50 photos, and most of them look something like this...

or this...

or this.  Note the pouting eight year old.  I have quite a few shots of the pouting eight year old.  

Finally!  A half way decent (yet somewhat blurry/uncropped shot)

Better!

As good as it's going to get!  Still not the sharpest focus, but it's a wrap!  Cut and print!   Whew!  Merry Christmas to all!

Priceless

1.  New leotard and tights.   Check

2.  Costume fee.   Check

 3.  You tube tutorial on how to put short hair into a ballerina bun.  Check and double check,  just to make sure.  ;)

4.  Carpooling to many practices and dress rehearsals.  

Check. Check. Check.

5.  Watching our littlest mouse dance in the Nutcracker  =  Priceless 

(even if the photo is not great!)