Another one bites the dust (Christmas, that is)

It's the day after Christmas and all through the house, all that lay wrapped has been annihilated to dust.

The Westside TeNgaio's made it through yet another year of holiday madness. The feeding frenzy that is Christmas morning was celebrated in utmost righteousness with candy-ingesting-spastic-offspring ripping wrapping paper off at break neck speeds. Then M&M's, french toast and a strong cup of jo (for the old farts, of course) made for a glorious morning.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in 2010!

Read more...

The Nutcracker Comes to Town

Madeline, Dad & Ethan in the dressing below the stage

Toy Soldier Ethan & Chinese Girl Madi

Ethan, grandma Tammy (Franchesca) & cousin Jaxon

So we had an exciting day this past Saturday: the kids were in The Nutcracker at the Civic Auditorium. It was a day of fun, yet, chaotic madness.

They had been practicing for 2 months for this and were really excited for "The Big Day", as Ethan put it. This was our first time having the kids in any kind of "professional" (where people actually paid to see it) and we learned a few of things:
1. don't be in a hurry
2. be ready to be in a hurry at a whim's notice
3. when the dance director freaks out, don't take it seriously
4. remember that the kids are supposed to have fun doing this

I'm kind of new to the whole ballet-dance-theater genre. I understand that to perform well you have to be serious and practice, practice, practice. While I was kind of surprised at the severity of lecturing the directors dished out to the dancers in between performances, I can wee why they are they are so stern in their ways: a lot of work went into the performance. And it paid off.

Madeline was one of the Chinese dancers in the 2nd Act. She was so damn cute on stage. She was easy to spot on stage because she was the only one that was getting into it: shaking her booty, doing her gestures and bowing like a Chinese. Classic. Then she kind lolly-gagged getting off the stage (for both performances) checking out all the fancy props, lights and other dancers. What can we say, she loves the limelight and was just milking it!

Ethan was one of the toy soldiers in the 1st Act. He took his role pretty seriously. Cousin Jaxon was one on the mice so he and Ethan got to fight each other in the battle scene, giving it all they had. It was like an army of hyper midgets going at it with toy guns and swords.

Britt's parents, Jeff and Tamera, where part of the performance as well. They had the role as the "Purple Family" in the opening party scene in the 1st Act. They did great. When they signed up at the beginning of all this to "volunteer" in the party scene, they didn't realize how much they would actually have to practice and participate in the dance. In the end I could tell Jeff was having fun with it (he was acting like he was taking shots in the party scene!)

Britt wore herself out. While she wasn't in the performance, she was the one who really did most of the work getting the kids to and fro and getting them ready – the whole time while trying to take care of work related things and everything else involved with the holiday season. In the process she ending up getting sick but persevering and sticking it out. She is way more tougher than I am, that's for sure. Right on Chickeedee.

After being on the go from 7 a.m to about 11 p.m. Sat., Sunday morning was spent sleeping in for the gang. French toast and coffee (not for the kids) is a good way to spend Sunday mornings.

Many thanks to all the family that took time from their busy lives to come to the kids' performance. We understand how Sat.'s can be most peoples day to do errands so we greatly appreciate those who were able to make it.

I think we're taking next year off, however.

Read more...

SLC and the Jazz II

This past weekend the Westside TeNgaio's, along with the Hubbards and Waldrons, hit the megatropolis of Salt Lake City to watch the Jazz and Lakers play.

We are not sports fans really but a chance to see a NBA game so close to home sounded like a good time. Despite a winter storm on the drive down the trip was a blast. The kids loved the game. It helps that there is an abundance of loud music, lights cheerleaders (Madi loved them) and the Jazz mascot, BEAR.

We got an invitation for the game through Tam's work, (INL), for a reduced price. We were lavished with prime rib and the fixin's pre-game at the E-Center as part of the package and then chilled to watch the game. We've never been to a pro basketball game before. It was pretty damn fun. It's funny to see people get soooooo worked up over games. We had the pleasure of some drunk loud-mouth behind us to fill us in on all the "positive" aspects of each player. It's crazy that some people get so loaded and drop the f-bomb so blatantly even when they are with their kids. I figured all his raving lunacy was just part of the game until I started noticing several people, even from rows away, turning their heads to check out who was making suck a ruckus. Not us, we were chilling alongside some old folks on either sides of us. Funny crap I tell you.

Ethan, Britt, Jeff and I got to go on the floor at the end of half time ad high-five the Jazz as they came back out onto the court. Ethan was amazed at how tall the players were. Then he got to meet the BEAR mascot and get a pic. The icing on the cake was Jeff getting a picture with the Jazz cheerleaders, though.

BTW, the Jazz pretty much cleaned house the entire game. The Lakers (who I thought were going to win) played lousy. The fans were going crazy, especially in the 4th period. A ton of energy in that place!

After the game we all donned our custom made beanies (thanks Tamera) and walked over to Temple Square to check out the Christmas lights. Pretty cool but they didn't have the lights on at the manger display. Oh well. I like looking at the architecture on the old buildings downtown so I was happy. On the way back to the hotel, Britt and I stopped to check out this cool blown glass sculpture in the theater/concert house(?) near the Temple. It's several pieces of red blown glass compiled into a 40' sculpture of craziness.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and uneventful. One thing that Britt and I have come to a conclusion though: we need a new bed. It's pathetic when the hotels you've stayed at in the past year have better beds then yours own at home.

Read more...

SLC and the Jazz I

Some more pics

Read more...