Happening @ the Halls

Christmas 2017

2017 was another year full of dance. Cally (almost 16 ) and Lexi (13) continue to compete with solos and the dance team at Cedar Park Dance Company as well as dance on their school dance teams. As a sophomore, Cally is on the Celebrities drill team. As an 8th grader, Lexi is the captain of her school drill team, the Crimson Cadets.

Lexi performed her solo in the National dance competition in Panama City Beach Florida over the summer. We stayed a few extra days to enjoy the beach, and stopped to see family in Pensacola and New Orleans during our drive from TX. It was great to see everyone! **Scroll below to the end see videos from this past season.

Both girls were relieved to get their braces taken off and show off their beautiful new smiles. Throughout the last 5 years, at least one of them had braces at all times.

Cally got her driving learners permit on her 15th birthday, but we are still trying to teach her to drive. We bought a small used car to help with learning, but it's been a SLOW process. Between dancing, school, friends & pets, it's been tough finding time. Plus we need a lot more practice (insert mini heart attacks on Dianne's part here).

Dianne continues to substitute teach. She still volunteers with Girl Scouts and whatever else comes up. She also has been crafting a lot. She took up quilting, sewing costumes, and painting to name a few. Randy has been at his computer job for 8 years now. He travels about 25% of the time. He enjoys working out and recently astronomy.

We still have the 3 cats we adopted 9 years ago. The big pet news this year centers around our canine family. Our beloved Patty was remarkably healthy her whole life. In old age her hearing and sight was diminished. but she remained active through all her 18 1/4 years. It was very difficult to say goodbye.

In September, after Hurricane Harvey impacted our Houston neighbors just a couple hours south of us, we decided to foster a small displaced pit bull who was pregnant. We knew almost nothing about her other than that she was found in Houston.

The shelter named her Philadelphia; we called her Delphie. We had her for about three weeks before she gave birth to nine (yes, 9!) puppies. It was quite an experience watching this momma dog raise her puppies. We had lots of help and lots of visitors. All the puppies were adopted by 10 weeks.

Of course we were bound to keep one. The girls couldn't decide which one to keep, and somehow we ended up with two. Bear and Blossom have joined the family. Momma Delphie is still with us for now while we determine where her forever home should be.

Dianne and Lexi visited her mom Lynda at the end of July. Lynda has decided that she is going to make the move to Texas in 2018. It will be a lot of work, but hopefully the right decision.

Randy's Dad Larry still lives nearby. He had to have treatment for skin cancer in the Fall, and is recovering slowly. He is starting to finally feel better. He and Randy have a weekly standing appointment at a local hang out for a beer.

If you are ever in Austin, please let us know. We would love to get together.

Best wishes for a fabulous 2018!

We are both on Facebook & Instagram or email us here at:
Diandrandy@gmail.com

Lexi's Musical Theater Solo "Ring Them Bells"

Cally's Contemporary Solo "Belief"

Lexi's Lyrical solo "Rise"

Cally & Lexi's Tap Team

Cally & Lexi's Acro Dance

Cally & Lexi's Clogging Dance

Lexi's Team Contemporary

Cally's Team Open

Lexi's Team Jazz

Cally's Team Contemporary

Cally & Lexi's Hip Hop Dance

Happy 2016!

I've been really bad about updating our blog. In fact I'm trying now to get this written before the Holiday cards that I just mailed arrive :)

We had a crazy busy year filled with Dance, Dance, Girl Scouts, School, Volleyball, Pets, & Family. It was one of the fastest years I remember, but a great one.

Cally is in 8th Grade & just turned 14. Lexi is in 6th Grade & is 11. They both attend the same middle school :) I started subbing in March 2015. So far I've subbed at our local elementary school & the girls middle school. Believe it or not, they don't mind me being there & like for me to sub for them. I guess that means I'm doing something right. It's been fun to see how middle school works.

In January, we lost Murphy. We was almost 16 years old. He had had 2 knee/hip repairs, 2 bouts of cancer but was our first baby. We got him 8 weeks after our wedding & he was 8 weeks old. I still miss my boy.

The Spring was Dance & More Dance! Cally & Lexi are both on Studio teams that practice almost everyday. Cally is also on her Middle School Drill team. We attended many competitions and were lucky enough to have two competitions at two different places on the same weekend a couple of times. One thing for sure is that my girls know how to multi-task & function under pressure. They love it & until they don't (or it affects grades) we are supporting it. So far they are coping beautifully & growing into wonderful dancers.

Lexi competed 2 solos:

"The Call"-Contemporary

"The Call" Video

"Spanish Rose" -Musical Theater

"Spanish Rose" Video

Cally competed a Contemporary Solo & a Tap Duet

"All Aboard" -Tap Duet

"All Aboard" Video

"Whispers" -Contemporary

"Whispers" Video

Drill Team


Cally's Biggest Fan!

Cally is a 2nd Lieutenant for her Drill Team 2015-2016. She is really enjoying being a part of such a large team & the friends she has made. We are so blessed that (fingers still crossed) middle school has been such a positive experience. We pulled them from the charter school after 6th & 4th grade. So Cally went in as a 7th graded knowing only a handful of kids. The drill team was our saving grace. It gave her a place to belong. I love the friendships that she has made.

Lexi is enjoying 6th grade. She is in choir & seems to really like it. Last semester she had to take P.E. Everyday was a new, funny story. Thankfully this semester she gets to take dance. She hasn't made a lot of new friends, but she's hit the jack pot with two girls from her 5th grade elementary school. They get a long great & have really been there for each other this year.

Both girls are active Girl Scouts & have earned their Bronze Awards. Cally is a Cadet & Lexi bridged to a Cadet this summer. Randy has become the camping Girl Scout Dad. He really enjoys spending time with the girls, & can use his Eagle Scout knowledge.

My Mom Lynda was able to come down for 2 big dance performances this summer. She was a trooper sitting through hours & hours of dance.Some day I will be brave enough to post videos of me dancing in the Tap & Clogging numbers. :0

Speaking of my Mom-Lynda, she still lives in Arkansas. She doing great. We miss her though & wish she would move down her (or at least split her time). But it has to be her decision. I'm just thankful she is healthy.

Randy's Dad Larry celebrated his 80th birthday with a big bash! He flew a plane like he did in the Navy, then had a huge party to celebrate. It was a lot of fun!