Disney on Ice "Treasure Trove"

Friday, April 12, 2013


This stunning show highlighted stories from some of Disney’s movies and made sure that all of the princesses were seen by the end of the performance. We brought our very own little princesses (Lola & Malaysia) along with some princes (RJ, Boston & Trey. I wondered if the boys would be interested in the show, but after the opening act they were enthralled. They were mesmerized by all of the bright colors, great scenery, and even better ice skating.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy hosted the 2 hour performance and even with an intermission it went by very quickly. I was impressed by how quickly and seamlessly the team changed sets for each story. The kids didn't even have time to be cranky, as there was too much action on the ice to follow. Everyone, including the toddlers and grown-ups in our group enjoyed it.

The show kicked off with a fun warmup session with the red-clad superheroes from "The Incredibles" who lead the audience through stretches and other moves to get them pumped up for the energetic show.  The Disney stories began with scenes from "Alice in Wonderland" with the ever tardy White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, and the Queen of Hearts and her army of skaters dressed up as the henchmen playing cards. The skater who played Alice, along with many of the other principal skaters, not only glide and dance on the ice, but do challenging jumps and spins, like in figure-skating competitions. The final story in the first half was scenes from "Peter Pan" complete with Captain Hook and Smee, the guy in green who doesn't want to grow up and Tinkerbell.  

The second half continued with a feast for the eyes and ears with  scenes from "The Lion King," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid," and "Tangled."  The show included some magical effects such as the way the iced stage transformed quickly into a bright, colorful, ocean reef scene for "The Little Mermaid," along with Aladdin's flying carpet and a sky full of orange lanterns for "Tangled."  Personally, I loved the Little Mermaid stuff best, with the great dance routines and colorful, cleverly created costumes.

Oh, did I mention that what made this experience even more superb is that we had some of the most amazing seats (about 10 rows or less up from the floor, center stage) thanks to my daughter-in-laws connections... I had not been to an ice show since Sabriya was really young but definitely hope to go again and again with the grands.  Don't miss out on this performance!


Saying Goodbye is Painful

Saturday, April 6, 2013


I had to say goodbye today to someone very, very dear to my heart and it was very painful especially knowing that I would never get to say hello again... Uncle Norman, no farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye. You were gone before I knew it and only God knows why. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly and in death I will love you still. My heart aches in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know. A thousand words won't bring you back, I know because I've tried; neither will a million tears, I know because I've cried...   

Many of us gathered today to say our goodbyes and to celebrate your life in the best way we could. You were incredibly special to all of us, one-of-a-kind and we are all missing you terribly. I know you didn't want us to grieve for you, because you are finally free so we shared a great meal, exchanged wonderful stories, hugged and laughed.  And we promised each other that we would continue to find and hold on to the joy in the memories, and let them gently push aside the sadness :(

I can only imagine how joyous the reunion was with all the family members you've lost over the years, please enjoy them and don't be sad for us either.

Love, your niece Deanie - "I'll catch you later."

This last phrase "I'll catch you later" was his very own special way of saying goodbye whenever it was time to do so.

The most awesome thing about coming together to celebrate Uncle Norman's life, was getting to see, reconnect and even meet for the 1st time, other members of the family and to share the rich history of our ancestry. I know many people think that it's really a sad thing that it takes a death in a family for many to gather, and yes I agree it is but I am also thankful that it does pull us from our everyday hype of life, makes us stop for a moment and reconnect with lost love ones...  There is nothing more important than family, sometimes we may not always realize that... but it is certainly true.

  FAMILY, one of nature's Masterpieces
My 1st cousin Amalia Guillory (Uncle Norman's daughter) who I haven't seen in over 30 years. Her dad, (my Uncle Norman) was my mom's baby brother.

Amalia and her daughter, Kayla.

My first cousin Susan Guillory (her dad was another of my mom's brothers).

Front row: Elaine & Susan Guillory (sisters) & me (Annadean Pete-Smith)
Back row: Marvin Guillory (Elaine & Susan's brother), Aunt Diana (Uncle Norma's wife), & Orlando Guillory (2nd cousin, his dad John Landis Guillory & my mom's dad, Charles Colton Guillory were brothers).

2 of my 5 beautiful daughters, Shanel & Sabriya Smith with 2nd cousin to them Susan Guillory.

Again, Elaine, Susan & me.



Celebrating the Easter Season

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

He is risen, He is risen indeed! It's Easter.  Time to celebrate that triumphant morning when our Savior rose victorious from the grave.  It was so exciting to have all of the kids (almost all, our Santana had to work today at PCH so she spent her day giving back to all the sick little babies, soooo proud of her:) and grandkids together to celebrate the holiest day on the Christian calendar. After church we met at home for an early brunch, an egg hunt for the 3 oldest grands and then watching the kids see what the Easter bunny left in their baskets... chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, cookies, and my favorite item this year a chocolate pair of praying hands.

Okay, so I missed it by a couple of days but I hope you enjoy our family pictures anyway.  I know it's been awhile since I've blogged and I have miss it just as much as you all. XOXO 

CHURCH





BRUNCH




EGG HUNT- ready, set, go...

  


BASKET TIME

 
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