NUTCRACKER TIME

December is one of my favorite times of year because I get to see my daughter Melissa perform in the NUTCRACKER. She is dancing with Nevada Ballet Theatre's production again this year. This year she will be performing as the SNOW QUEEN, LEAD FLOWER, MERLETON, and mother in party scene. This is my 16th year watching Melissa perform in the NUTCRACKER. She first performed as a Party Girl when she was 9 years old. I will try to find a photo and post it. When Melissa was little, my dream for her was to be a professional ballerina. Isn't that every mother's dream.... and every little girl's dream. Yet; how many little girls actually grow up to be a ballerina. I have been so thrilled and proud to watch my daughter grow from a young girl with a dream, to a young woman of beauty and poise. Thank you Melissa for making your mother's dream come true; I hope it was your dream as much as it was mine.

It is NUTCRACKER time. We are traveling to Las Vegas this Friday to see Melissa as SNOW QUEEN in ballet. It wouldn't be Christmas without the NUTCRACKER. This is Melissa's 16th year performing in the NUTCRACKER. She was nine years old when she performed with Ballet West as a party girl. Isn't this a beautiful photo of her?It is her company photo. I love you "LuLu"

I took this photo of Aaron after a long day at work. I thought it was so cute; him and Dora.

I know that this in not a Christmas photo, but I thought it was really cute and wanted to share it with everyone. We went to the Halloween Parade at Grant Elementary School where, Emmy, Ayana and Mikayla go to school. The girls really wanted their Aunt Melissa to walk in the parade with them. Melissa dressed up as a "ballerina." You are looking at Aunt Melissa, Heather's little boy, Zeke, Heather, Audrey and Emmy; Adrienne and her two little girls, Evelyn and Lydia.

A TRIP TO THE CANYON FOR A BALLET PHOTO SHOOT

OUR WILD ROSE

Me and Adrienne drove to Elko, Nevada to see Melissa Rose on tour with Nevada Ballet Theatre. We found this slot machine in the hotel lobby and had Melissa pose for this picture.
Melissa thought this slot machine would bring the three of us luck and riches, but instead we lost about $30.00. We then went to our hotel room and ate cup of noodles. This is proof that Melissa really is our 'WILD ROSE'.

Melissa Rose

Melissa is my youngest child. She has been dancing with Nevada Ballet for 7 years now. She moved down there right after she graduated from high school. Melissa started dancing when she was 5 and has always had a strong love for classical ballet. When she was younger she would travel the summers to different states where they have great art programs. She would train all summer long away from home. As hard as it was to see her go, she loved doing it. Melissa danced at the Conservatory, and took ballet classes at University of Utah. Melissa has had some hard times. She has lost two boyfriends in tragic accidents. She thinks of them everyday and works hard to keep going so that they can be proud of her. We are all so proud of Melissa for all that she has achieved.

Zach

My son and his son! Zach is my oldest child. He married his high school sweetheart, Kelly Farley. They have been married for 13 years. Zach and Kelly have two older kids, Conner 13 and Emmy 8. This picture is their newest addition. His name is Simon Oliver Sharples. Simon will be one in January. Zach owns his own graphic design company. He is a very talented artist. Zach has always loved art. When Zach was a toddler his favorite color was orange. The pediatrician said that's a sign of creativity. I guess he was right. Zach also has a passion for airplanes. We would go on family vacations to the Oregon cost and go to the beach. Zach was fine with that as long as he had a model airplane to work on. He is a great dad and husband. He works very hard. Zach is very generous and would do whatever he could for his family. We are very proud of him.