Trail of Dreams

This summer was very exciting, for more reasons than one. But I think the summer was the most special this year because of the opportunity Kylie had to participate in our Stake's production of the Trail of Dreams play/musical. This story starts back in March when I mentioned to her that our Stake was putting on a play, and I thought that she should try out. We showed up early one Saturday morning, and she had sort of prepared to sing a little primary song. I myself never even realized how serious our Stake productions are. We got in a line to fill out an application/resume on a computer. We were giving all kinds of information about her experience - which at this point has just been dance recitals and enjoying singing. I have to admit that I was a little bit nervous as we stood in that line. Then they asked what part she was trying out for. We honestly had no idea. I hadn't even looked at the cast list yet - I thought for sure she would just automatically be part of the cast, not have an actual role. So I quickly glanced at the roles for the play, and I noticed a part for a little girl, Caddie Grant. I thought, sure, that sounds good. So, off we went to get in line to "audition."

I thought the audition would just be to sing this little primary song in front of some Stake music leaders. I thought for sure she would want me to go in with her for moral support. Nope. She asked me to stay out and listen from outside the door. I was a little sad, but really proud at the same time. I looked inside the window of the door and realized that this was an honest and true AUDITION. If she could do this, she could do anything. There was a full panel of judges, and she had to stand right up and sing her song. She was amazing - no fear. Then they gave her a portion of Caddie Grant's part to read. She had never seen anything like this before, and there she was, reading the part like a pro. Like she knew what Caddie's character was meant to be. I was a proud mom, but I still had no idea whether she measured up to what other little girls were doing in their auditions.

Later that week, I just so happened to meet one of the "judges" that was in that room at the time. She realized who I was, and went on and on about how amazing Kylie was, and how they were blown away by her audition. She said that everyone was wondering where she came from. She told me that she was sure that Kylie would have a role in the play, but that nothing had been decided yet. I was thrilled for Kylie and so impressed that she could do so well with little preparation. Kylie is very talented, but has also been very shy in the past. She loves to sing, dance, and act, but if you ask her to perform for anyone - there is no way. Just on stage, far away from the audience at a recital. But never with a small group of eyes staring at her. I was so excited that she challenged herself, and really enjoyed the process. I was excited at the fact that this could be the start of many auditions to come in the future. Maybe this would build her confidence so that she could participate in fun church and school activities in the future.

Many weeks went by and we heard nothing. Finally we got an email about a call back for the part of Caddie Grant. In the description of Caddie, it mentioned that she was a six year old girl. I was a little discouraged, wondering how Kylie would fit this role. When we got to the call back, there were three other younger girls there. I wondered how this would all work out. This time Kylie was asked to sing Caddie's actual song from the play and she was well prepared. Once again, she got right up there and sang. She read the lines for Caddie and did amazing. Each of the girls auditioning were amazing. I was very impressed with the talent of all of these young girls. We went home and waited to hear something.

We waited a few more weeks before we heard anything. One day I discovered an email from the director with a cast list for the play. Kylie was given a leading role! We realized then that there were two young girls needed for the production. Caddie Grant was six, and Bodil Mortensen was to be played by a young girl. Kylie was going to be playing Bodil Mortensen, a young Danish girl who came across the plains with the Mormon pioneers. She was traveling with Jens and Elsie Neilson. These are actually real people that left behind journals from their experiences coming across the plains to the Utah valley. The story is amazing, and Kylie was going to be a part of it. I was so excited for her to have this chance to develop her talents, really experience how a production is put together, and strengthen her testimony of the gospel - all at the same time!

They spent the next few months putting it all together. It started with just the music, then small groups rehearsing lines from specific scenes, to larger groups, and eventually the whole cast together learning choreography and everything. The whole thing was so awesome to watch. Since I was her transportation, I got to witness all of it first hand. It strengthened my testimony probably more than hers. Next time a Stake production comes around, which is usually every other year, our entire family will be participating. I don't have the singing and acting talent - but they always need people in the background. :)

I will never forget the first dress rehearsal and the amazing set and scenery. Watching Kylie put on her costume for the first time, and realizing what an amazing opportunity this was. I watched all of the four performances and cried a little almost every night watching her up on that stage. We have so many talented people in our Stake, and it felt like a professional production. I know the spirit of our pioneer ancestors where there and you could feel it. Some of the stories in the play were captured in a movie that came out a few weeks later, 17 Miracles. We went and watched it together as a family and Kylie was excited to see the real story of Bodil Mortensen, as she was a character in the movie. I am thankful that people keep journals so that their experiences and testimonies can be shared with others.

Here are many pictures from the entire journey....

PRACTICING

PERFORMING

Summer Swimming Lessons

Last summer Kylie graduated from swimming lessons. It was very hard for her this year to watch her brothers participate from the sidelines. This was Cameron's first year though, so we were all very excited! The very first day he was a little bit hesitant. But once he realized that the water was not cold, he was all in. It was very fun to watch. He never really liked to go under the water, but the lessons this year fixed that. He loves it and is now a little fish. Cute story about hanging with his teacher....while they were out swimming together, Cameron told her how we had just gotten back from a trip to Utah, and that he got to see the temple. She knew right away that we were LDS, and it turns out she was too! :) He is a little missionary already!

Chad did awesome this year too. He learned lots of new ways to swim across the pool. He can now do the breathstroke, freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly (I was amazed watching him learn that one). We were really focusing on his confidence in the water. He can swim, but forgets that he can. He has become much more confident this year, and I wasn't freaking out when he swam in the deep end on his own. So fun to watch him develop his new skills in the pool!

Utah Road Trip - Part 3 - HEADED HOME

On our way out of Cache Valley, we met Grandpa and Mary for a few last minutes. It was very important that we stopped at Utah State University to get ice cream at the Aggie Creamery. Afterwards, we stopped at a park on the edge of the Logan River, went to the temple and walked the grounds and then did some go-cart racing. It was fun to spend our last few minutes in Cache Valley with Grandpa and Mary. We love Logan...IN THE SUMMER!!

Park City has become one of probably four or five places in the world that we absolutely love. It is a place that, if we were rich, we would have a vacation home, for sure!! We took the scenic route to get there and were really impressed with how beautiful the drive was! What a beautiful part of our country.

We had a really fantastic time in Park City this year. The first evening, we had another great Utah thunderstorm. The next morning we headed to the Park City Mountain Resort, where we rode the Alpine slides, the rollercoaster and I ziplined. It is truly beautiful and was fun for everyone. We were then off to the Utah Olympic Park, where the bobsled and ski jumping events were held when the Olympics were held in Salt Lake City in 2002. It was fun to see some of the venues and watch the athletes train.

After spending time in Park City, it was time for us to really head home. We had wanted to stop at Temple Square on the way up, but because of bad weather, we waited until the end of the trip to go. It was beautiful, as always! The kids really enjoyed the conference center and the outside temple grounds.

We then headed off to St. George for the night. As one last adventure, we hit an intense thunderstorm south of Provo. Now, I have driven in some pretty intense weather. Living in Arizona, I saw some pretty crazy thunderstorms...and this one rivaled anything I have ever seen. The pictures below really don't do it justice. The clouds were so dark and lightning struck every few seconds...we drove for about 20 minutes in really heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hail. I thought it was awesome--everyone else was scared--and the clouds afterwards were really amazing!

We had the best trip to Utah we have ever had--that's obvious from the fact that it took three posts to get through it! We had so much fun and are really enjoying traveling with the kids. It is becoming so much easier as they get older. These are the times we realize how lucky we are and how much family time together on trips like this will really bring your family closer together!

We look forward to our next trip...