My Favorite 2012 Festival Tour Memories

Two weeks. 28 dancers, including a fiddler and a couple of asthematics. 14 adults, including those with gluten intolerances, fibromyalgia, and a paralyzed stomach. A wonderful, crazy, hectic schedule. Lots of unknowns, lots of nerves. Big hopes. All realized. Fourteen incredible days of miracles, memories and magical moments.

I loved:

*watching the kids perform in front of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. The crowds loved it, and so did I! Though Keri King and I were cracking up when they did 80's a'capella at the Eiffel. That's one dance that kinda needs the music to produce the full effect. But they didn't let that daunt their energy!

*our mad, mad dash through Paris (RUN, everyone, RUN!) to get into Notre Dame before it closed. We didn't know it closed so early (6:45 PM), and from the Palais Royal Gary and I estimated that it was about 3-4 blocks away. Lesson learned - never listen to Gary and Mindy when distances are being discussed! It was actually about a mile and a half away. But we sprinted the whole thing, and almost all of the team made it in! Us slow pokes missed the first wave, but it all worked out. While walking around, waiting for the rest of the team to exit (and after my lame attempts to bribe the door guards failed), we found another line that would take the whole group to the top of the spires. Ya-bing! Trial is often accompanied by Opportunity.

Also, it gave me the idea for my new exercise web series that's going to make me millions: Paris, the Workout! Between climbing 700 Eiffel Tower stairs, speed walking through the Tuileries, our dash along the Seine to get to Notre Dame, then climbing those spires, you can lose a lot of weight in the City of Lights!

*Celebrating that I got next door neighbor and awesome friend Brenda out of the US and to France. She's never left the country before. It was time.

*Watching the kids' faces, above, as they looked at the shimmering Eiffel Tower, below.

*Eating French food. Esp. Nutella crepes.

*Loved being at a festival again - they are such unique places to learn, grow and share everything from your meals to your music to your faith! Opening and closing ceremonies were in Rodez, but every other day of the festival we were bussed out to outlying villages, to do a parade or street show, meet the mayor and exchange gifts, and perform in the evening. The festival was so pleased with our show, they decided have us end every show we performed in as the grand finale. A huge honor (though later we realized it was just because we helped put away the chairs... :-) ), but it did mean that our young little dancers were going on stage at 11 and 12 at night. Oh well - we can sleep when we get home, right? Our biggest thrill was the one night we got to do an all-American show, in Belmont where we stayed with our host families. Five encores, and they were still stomping for more. The night was marred just a little when Hannah had a huge asthma attack near the end, but again, we saw miracles as she had a blessing, some essential oils and her breather medicine, a walk in the cool air for an hour, and a good night's rest. The next day she was as good as new... or at least, pretended she was! Miracles!

Dancing in Arvieu - we all did line dances together, the Bulgarians, Arevieunois dancers and us. Then we taught them Ninja, Dip Dip Dip, and Bunny Bunny. Oh these crazy Americans, they're always doing strange (yet strangely entertaining) things!

*We liked all the teams, ten in all from different countries, but particularly enjoyed getting to know the Brazilians. They were lively, entertaining, and such eye candy! Plus they made us roll with laughter with their "I like your bangs" song. Long story. And we were deliriously tired by then which probably made it all the more funny at the time. But I'm still laughing. 

*I loved watching Maggie on stage. She really struggled with the schedule, lack of sleep, and becoming "seaweed", adapting to any situation. But when it was time to perform, she did what she needed to do and was DYNAMITE on stage! It helps that she's the smallest and rather adorable, but her personality truly does shine when she dances. People always wanted to take their pictures with her after the show and would point her out. Technically she has plenty of room for improvement, but she's one of the best showmen we have.

 *So grateful to the Festival for getting us off the beaten path to see things most Americans will never see, even well traveled ones. I love the Aveyron region. Conques, Rodez, Belmont, Roquefort, Chateau-le-Brousse, Arveiu...

Above and below, Rodez, home of the festival, and to Gary, who lived there for five months during his mission. He gave us the city tour and by the end of the week we were very familiar with its streets, laudromat (thanks Carole!!!), supermarket, cathedral (a blend of styles - so fascinating!), and shopping district where I got Maggie some school clothes.

Chateau le Brousse, above and below, which was just a pit stop we stopped when people got sick on the bus. If this place existed in the USA, it would be a national monument and treasure. Here it's just one of numerous little hidden villages with a crubling castle, charming corners, and scenery which made me almost cry with joy every time a new nook or vista became visible.

My new favorite village, Conques, is below. Didier our Bus Master knows all the good sites and took us there en route to the village we were performing at that day. Bless him. Again, words fail and photos lack the magic of this little town famous for its perfectly Romanesque cathedral and pilgrimage stopover on the Santiago del Compostella trail. I just want to retire here.

*thanks also to this experience for introducing us to and taking us into the homes of wonderful French people who helped change my opinion that most French people are unfriendly, stiff, and haughty. I've never met lovlier people than Didier, Marilyne, her brother Guillem (he loves Napoleon Dynamite!), Pauline, dear happy Anais, our host family the Lafoys (Clementine!) and the adorable groupie French girls who followed us to all our performances. Merci a tous! Je vous aime de tout mon coeur!

Anais, Didier, Pauline, Marilyne

Maggie and Anais, who was darling and cheery and emotional and very fun to be with. She wore the American bonnet we gave her the last two days of the festival.

Our host family - we love you!!!

* I loved the group of young people we took. They were so great! Friendly, funny, cheerful, spiritual, kind, no cattiness or mean-spiritedness at all. They loved and supported each other, and shared that love with everyone we met. They made people cry with their songs, and lifted their hearts with their smiles.

So many people asked me what made our group so happy and, well, luminous. I said the answer has two parts. Being American makes us industrious, optimistic, and confident. Being Mormons gives us knowledge of our divine heritage, a goal in life, direction to get us there, and hope for even better things to come. The kids shared the light of our gospel whereever they went just by being themselves. From our guides, to to Alain the Festival Chair, to Francois the Festival volunteer in Le Truel who couldn't get over how "sympathique" we were, the two sweet ladies who served us churros in Barcelona who cried when we sang to them... everyone was touched by our wonderful, strong, joyous Mormon dancers. We gave away numerous Books of Mormon and passalong cards, to people who really wanted them because they saw who we were and what we were about. Missionary work has never been so fun!

And yes, we do know how to have a good time. No drugs or alcohol needed when you're already high on life! And have crazy costumes at your disposal!

CONCLUSION: Did this team and this trip suck up my brains, my energy and six months of my life? Yes they did. Did I stress for weeks about flight prices, flaky travel agents, hair pieces, jackets, logos, tshirts, feeding crowds at super Saturday rehearsals, new pioneer costumes, last minute choreography, and delinquent tour payments? Yes. In fact, the day before we left on the trip I was so exhausted that I didn't care if I actually got to go on the trip or not - I was pretty beat. But in the end, I concluded that some things are worth it. The most demanding challenges pay high dividends. This trip was SO worth it. I am so so proud of what this group as a whole was able to accomplish.

oops I forgot something - Barcelona was a revelation to me! I fell in love with Gaudi, tile mosaics, and the Mediterranean all over again in visiting this lovely port city for the first time. The Sagrada Familia left me speechless - I was so overcome with the creativity and the novelty and the ambition and the zaniness of this rare and complex edifice. And so proud of the Barcelonans for investing in this unique vision on such a large scale! I've never seen anything like it - I could sit and ponder that building for weeks! They've been building it for over 100 years - 27 more to go!

Going home! Happy kids, great trip. Thanks everyone!

Aspen Grove 2012

My dear grandmother, Nanny, went through chemotherapy last fall. One of the things they helped her plan to get through it was a big family reunion the next summer, with all the cousins, at Aspen Grove, a family resort up Provo Canyon, right next to Sundance. Nanny pulled through, and to celebrate her awesome strength and determination, almost all the 22 grandchildren, with their spouses and kids in tow, gathered at that beautiful place for a week of family-focused heaven. No cooking, no cleaning, kids off doing crafts, trying ropes courses and climbing walls, and swimming during the day with their groups, and adults free to chat, sleep, read, hike, play tennis, swim, play games, eat ice cream, do Zumba or yoga (with me or Hills :-) ).... all in one of the most beautiful places on earth. This is our third time to Aspen Grove, and it keeps on getting better and better!

Our favorite things about Aspen Grove this year included: cousin and extended-extended family time; the amazing, wonderful, caring group leaders who absolutely showed our kids the best time; the family talent show (did we really get up and sing "Corner of the Sky" in Clayton 6 part harmony??  That takes me back...); the beautiful weather; the always-stunning scenery; painting a Christus statue at the craft hut for us and one for Grandpa, who's sister just died; badminton; the metal bear and turtle statues; the family dance on the last night; watching Spence get up with his group and actually sing and dance on stage (a first! "Kookooburra sits in the old gum tree, being as happy as he can be..."), sitting and chatting by the pool with all the cousins while the dads played the water games with the kids; watching Uncle Josh and Uncle Spencer Holt busta move at the dance party the last night; and the ice cream! Oh the ice cream! Graham Canyon and Coconut Joy and the chocolate one whatever it was called... mmmm.

 Me and my Nanny (and Aunt Diana, sporting the official 2012 Hunter family reunion t-shirt). Note the ice cream in my hand.

We all loved painting at the craft hut this year, even Spencer!

 Oh my gosh I loved our kids' counselors. Not even kidding, I was kind of weepy when it was time to say goodbye. They are amazing young people and really took care of our kids!

And best of all... family time. I love my family!

Spring Stuff

This spring was pleasant and busy and full of good things. The Footworks Spring concert was our best yet. Maggie graduated from 5th grade and is now officially a 6th grader (yikes)! She worked hard to earn some horseback riding lessons on the side from our neighbors, the Hines. Sophie, below had a BANNER year, due in part to her fabulous 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Perkes. Sophie bloomed this year. Don't know if it was the teacher, the Ireland experience, just getting more mature, or a combination of the three, but all of a sudden Soph went from the middle to the top of the class, got all sorts of writing and citizenship awards, and had half the boys in her class madly in first-grade love with her. (Trust me, I was there, I saw it when I took treats in for Soph's half birthday. One boy shocked my socks off when he said, when he thought I couldn't hear him, "I just REALLY want to kiss Sophie right now!" umm, what??? Her favorite boy was Carter, shhh don't tell, but he didn't try to kiss her. That I know of.)

Spence graduated from Miss Kari's awesome Kinderready Kids Preschool. He did so well! Last year at his preschool graduation he could barely look at me, never mind sing all the songs and do all the actions (too shy). This year he sang right along with the other kids and even posed for pictures! sort of. He knows all his letters and their sounds, and can sound out simple words. Very ready for kindergarten indeed! I'm so proud of my little buddy!

Then Sophie and Spencer played AYSO spring soccer. Look at my handsome little dude, with his best buds Ben and Ammon. This was our first foray -ever - into team sports and Spence LOVED it! Soph not so much, she's more of a dancer, but Spence ate it up. He scored four goals in one game, and then scored none in another, but ususally he averaged one or two goals per game. I just loved the unbridled joy all over his face at every game and practice, and I've already signed him up for Fall and Spring of next year.

Spence likes wearing his soccer socks all the way up. Way to focus on the ball, buddy!

Then we took our first summer jaunt down to Gram and Grandpa's house - always a favorite! Dogs, four wheelers, no chores, and it's the only place in the world where they get to watch Spongebob Squarepants - a Gram's house ritual. Maggie got to try her hand at actually steering the four wheeler this year, which was slightly terrifying, but at least Gram and Liesl were there to set her straight!

 We went to the Fremont Indian Museum just south of Richfield about 20 minutes - so cool. Petroglyphs and hiking and an awesome kids' museum and good company = great times!
 

 Gram helping Spence get all decked out

 They have these great, paved, marked hikes easy enough for the kids to take, with markers pointing out all the different markings on the walls from about 1,000 years ago.

We had tired, busy, happy kids!

My Awesome Hubby

I've realized that I have very few posts on here about my awesome hubby. Since we just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary (with thai food and Men in Black III), here are some of my many favorite things about him:

 *He understands, loves, and knows how to use technology. Which means when I have questions, I can to go him!

 *He is a loving, caring, patient dad who is always willing to carry his share of the burdens, even when it means wearing a Baby Bjorn.

 *He's the fun dad who will do the scary/dangerous/exciting things with the kids that mom would rather pass on, like high dives, wrestles, roller coasters, etc. I take care of the dishes, meals, laundry, chores, extracurricular lessons, studio and homework and then I'm done for. That's when Daddy steps in to provide the party atmosphere with a game of blanket tag, tickle torture, frisbee, legos or steamroller. Thanks heavens for dads!

 *He is handy AND handsome! Double threat guy. With his talented hands, mad skills and engineering brain, he can install flooring, fix plumbing (well, kind of), paint houses, install disco lights, lay carpet, build a dance floor and storage cabinets, and generally make himself useful. No, more than that... he's indespensible!

 *He makes me feel funny. I've never really been the funny girl before, but when I'm with my hub, I'm suddenly the wittiest girl on the planet. We giggle and tease and joke and have have movie quote conversations and I know he'll always get my jokes. (sometimes he's the only one, but he does get them). I LOVE the way he makes me laugh! We have the best time together, especially on our marathon dates (temple, dinner, movie) or watching late night movies together in bed.

*He gave me three beautiful, good, WONDERFUL children. How I love my little family!

  *He was the one who suggested we bring home a dog when we did. He thought  the kids and I needed a dog...and he was right.

 *He is the world's best sand castle builder...

 ... and the funniest picture poser. It's that mad creative side of his, I think.

*He can drive on any road, at any time, in any weather. This cliff in Ireland, for example (yes that's two lanes, with a massive dropoff on the right, on the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the street), or up the Malad pass two days before Thanksgiving in a blizzard, or through the streets of Paris at rush hour.

There's many more, but that will do for now. Happy anniversary sweetie! I love you!

Maggie's Report

Do we know how to do a 5th grade history report or what? :-) Maggie chose the subject Marie Antoinette because she loved her Versailles bedroom and the quaint Hamlet when we visited them last summer. I helped her trace the side panels and arrange the feathers at the top, but she did everything else. Tres bien fait, ma chere! Love the powdered hair.