Gotta Move!

Before this competition, Lisa told us parents that this competition is the HARDEST one the studio has ever attended.  The groups we were competing against are so amazing- like they dance double the hours a week that we do.  Some are home schooled so that they can spend more time dancing.  She told us that she was hoping for at least some 3rd places and that would be awesome.

These girls danced better than they have ever danced before.  They were on fire.

We woke up at 4 am
Left at 5 am for Ogden
Call time 6 am
Start performing 7 am
Done performing 11 am
Awards at noon.

Ella performed all 5 of her routines.

Awards was so exciting.  Proud mom/dad moment and super super super happy Ella moment.

Jr Contemporary "No Light" earned a High Gold.
Jr Contemporary "Comes and Goes" Earned a High Gold and was division winner.

Jr Elite "Lose Control" earned PLATINUM!!!  Division winner
Jr Elite "Bad to the Bone" earned PLATINUM!!!  Division winner
Jr Elite "Coming Home" earned PLATINUM!!!  Division winner.

Ella has never earned platinum before.  I was crossing my fingers so tight that they would get some this time.  Bad to the bone and coming home also received best choreography.  Come and Goes earned best costume.

The Jr Intermediate Division then announced the top 8 places (out of 25)  They didn't say Dance Illusion for 8,7,6,5 or 4, and each time I got a little more excited.
Then they announced 3rd place, 2nd place and 1st place- All of which were Jr Elites routines!

And finally, Dance Illusion won the Overall Sweepstakes Studio!  This is so amazing.  Every team from Dance Illusion was figured in the calculation, so every team contributed to this win.  They had a whole bunch of platinums earned.

Ella told me after that up on stage during awards, she was hoping for at least a 3rd place win.  But wasn't sure if they would place at all.  So they announced 3rd for Lose Control.  She was thrilled. Her and Mia said to each other "that is probably as high as we get"  Then they announced 2nd place as Bad to the Bone.  She was shocked.  Then her and Mia laughed and said "for real, that is as high as we'll get."  Then they announced Coming home as 1st place.  Ella could not believe it.  She has been on cloud 9 since.

Night before.  Packing can be stressful.  So. Many. Things.

Contemporary

Cousin Sophia

Parker is so tired

Awards

Drive home.  Parker is so tired

Competition is here

Jr Elite had a pre-competition party.  Look how lovely these girls are.  It's been an amazing team with an incredible teacher.

 Ready or NOT!  We survived our 1st competition of the year.  Utah Dance Fest was at Ellen Eccles Theater.  Call time 7:30 am.  Naomi competed here as well so we made it a family affair.


We got out of school early Friday and went to see Mia and Ava perform their duet.

Ella performed 4 out of her 5 routines. 

 The Elites did great.  One Gold and 3 High Golds.  During the day there was a running top 10 list posted.  At one point, about 100 dances into the competition, Ellas group had 3 of the top 10 highest scores.

Finally at about 10:00 we got to leave.  We went and got some late night dinner with the girls.  We were exhuasted so it was extra fun.

Beach Party!

If it can't be summer outdoors, we will bring it indoors.  Ella had a super duper fun birthday party!  We had 13 of her bestest friends come over to celebrate her birthday; beach style.

They played "Would you rather?" "All about Ella (Rebekah got every single answer correct) the LIMBO (no pictures?!) the Saran wrap ball game, "Murdered in the dark", opened presents and had treats.

 One of the funnest parts of the night was taking these pictures!!