Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Feb 21st - A Good Day 2.21.09

SURPRISE!!!
I didn't think Tim and Darlene could pull off another surprise, and they totally did...First, the ballet lesson, then this!  I was so blessed!
Darlene and I had gone on our usual grocery shopping run on Saturday...
We brought in the groceries...walked in the kitchen...I heard, "Surprise!"
I only saw Abby and Emma, but then I peeked around to find almost the whole church stuffed in the corner!
SO FUN!!!!
I feel so loved - thank you everyone!
Me and the girls.
My cake!
Ollie, Emma, and Abby were stoked to have potato chips (or crisps, as they are called by the British).
The GALZ.
It was so much fun to have everyone there!
Sue and Elina enjoy their tea and coke.
Emma, Ollie, and Abby brought me three cakes to blow out the candles.
Presents!  WooHoo!
From the Hutchinson's.
What do you think I'm saying?  Probably..."Oooooo!"
Thanks Emma for my big, glittery card!
Tim photoshopped one of my ballet photos with the Bible verse from Psalm 149:3, "Let them praise His name with dancing."
The gang.
It's all on video, too.  Thanks Tim.
Emma gave me a pair of earrings, and she loves to put them in for me.  Also, I put on a sweater that Abby gave me.  Thanks girls!
Ping Pong dual...Elina vs. Lindsey.
Great shot Darlene...action...watch out!
Table football, aka fooseball.
I look like I'm flashing the "I love you" sign!
Paddle head.
My friend Elina - she's so much fun!
Rothko and Emma take a break.
Tocando la guitarra.
Ollie is so much fun - always excited about something.
We used my birthday as an opportunity to practice for Sunday morning.  I just love playing with Ollie.  (Brad, he talks about you all the time!!!  I think you are his hero.)
God has truly gifted this young man in percussion.
Thanks for coming to my party!!!  I was so surprised!!!  Love Linz

Ballet Birthday Surprise 2.19.09

I LOVE BALLET!!!
Well, I just wanted to share some pictures of my Surprise birthday gift from the Mattox family.  They totally blessed me with a private lesson with Lambros Lambrou, the girls' dance teacher.  I had so much fun!!!  Enjoy the pictures.
Emma helped me get ready.
I've been to this studio several times with the girls, but to walk in ready to dance was such an incredible feeling!
Lambros gave me a hug and said, "Happy Birthday."
Stretching to begin...
pointe...flex...
Rrrrrrrreach!
Ah, this is such a cool feeling.
Lambros did most of the dances with me.
He is quite renown in the dance realm.
He founded the Alberta Professional Ballet Programme in Edmonton, Canada.
Also, he was artistic director of Ballet Austin for 10 years.
I learned so many cool tricks in less than an hour.
He would say, "Balance and enjoy."  What would dancing be if you couldn't enjoy it, right?
Ballet arms...at least, trying...
I just love dancing...
...as if it wasn't obvious =).
Looking off into the distance.
Double take.
High kicks.
This is kicking...I wish I could hold it there.
Or there...haha!
I made Lambros a thank you card with a copy of this picture in it.  I had so much fun!
Center work.
There is so much to ballet...shoulders down, toes pointed, relaxed neck...
Make it look easy, basically.
Thanks Darlene (and Tim, Abby, Emma, and Lambros)!!!
This was such a cool birthday present!!!