Weren't we lucky that it turned out to be such a beautiful day!!!!! I've been doing the Jacksonville Christmas Parade for nearly 30 years (and knock on wood) we have never had to cancel. It's been cold a couple of years and I can remember a little drizzle one year just before we started and oh yeah, I remember one year we didn't get to tumble for the judges because the mats were getting wet and slick, but we've usually been lucky enough to have beautiful weather.
And speaking of beautiful, please look at these pictures. I don't know if it's the exercise the kids get from dance and/or gymnastics, but I think you'd have to search long and hard to find a group as large as ours with prettier girls or more handsome boys. Our kids all just have that healthy glow - 100%. I've really never taken the opportunity to mention it, but I've noticed it for several years - maybe because I take the pictures.
The parade was different this year, in that we weren't allowed to perform. I know that we all missed that - we have worked too hard and we're too good for the community to not be able to see it. I also know our kids are the main reason that many of the people come to see the parade - because they want to see our kids and others perform. Many of the parents heard the comments of disappointment along the parade route!
And I apologize - I learned something about picture taking today - even if the sun is shining, one might need to use a flash. Also, I'm sorry because we had to take the pictures in the way that was most convenient and that was not always what the sun had in mind. Hopefully, you will be able to enjoy the photos anyway. I'm sorry, also, if I took the photos before your child arrived. I know that I didn't get photos of everyone - we'll try again tomorrow!!!!
Our front banner - thanks Matthew and Ty - I know it's tough going against the wind, but you did a great job and we appreciate the fact that you carried the banner for us. My thanks to the moms in the back of the parade, also.
The "Huff 'n Puff Express"'
Some of our preschool gymnasts and accompanying parents. Thanks all!!
Mr. Bobby and some of his tumblers - pre-Level One, Level One, Level Two and power tumblers. Thanks guys! And thanks, Mr. Bobby, we could never do all this without you!!!! Mr. Bobby's gymnasts got to tumble, too - Yayyyyy!!!
Some of the team girls posed for me while we were waiting to line up. Thanks girls!!!
The parade gave us a chance to show off our 2007 Level Five State Championship Banner!!!
Some of the team gymnasts as they were preparing for the start of the parade (I should have used a flash!)
Thanks girls - we really appreciate you. These girls are part of the 80-member Jacksonville Gymnastics USAG Junior Olympic Competitive Team, Levels Three through Nine. Many of the team members are also in the dance groups, both recreational and Jacksonville Dance Company.
And speaking of being appreciated - These are probably five of the most appreciated young women in Central Arkansas! Thanks, Ladies!!! These talented young ladies teach and coach for us and we are so lucky to have them be part of the Huff 'n Puff Family and for so many years!
We'll try to get pictures tomorrow of Laurel, Erin, Christy, Kristi, Jackie and April, along with more of Mr. Bobby.
I asked some of the Grinch Dancers to pose with the Sleigh for me. These girls are in the dance program at Huff 'n Puff - both recreational and Company.
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This is the back part of the sleigh that the Gangluff Family designed and made last year for us. Isn't it great? Thanks again, y'all!
And here's Mom, Heather Jinkins, working on getting the sled finalized for its trip down Main Street! Thanks for your help, Heather! And I think I saw Stacy Gangluff there working earlier.
And it's always Time for Pictures - whether it's a parade, recital or class! Told you about the pretty girls, didn't I?? We take them at age three - or age five and keep them for a long, long time!!!! Luv ya!!!
Some of our little Tap 'n Tumblers on our Sleigh Float as they wait for the parade to start. Dancers and instructors of the future?? Perhaps!!! We've watched many of the next group start out right here with the Tap 'n Tumblers - they grow up so quickly!
Most of the Grinch Dancers pose here before we started - don't know if everybody was here yet or not - but didn't they look wonderful!!! Mr. Grinch was working and didn't arrive until the last minute but I have a picture of him - just not with the girls. And Michael was busy working on a float and I didn't get a picture of him in his Max the Dog costume but I will - his picture will be on here in a day or two, also. These students are ages five to ten and they are all so talented!!
And here's Mr. Grinch!!!! I was surprised to see him running down the street towards us because he had said he wouldn't be able to be there with us today because of work - he must have worked hard and fast because he joined us just as we started out. Thanks, T. J. for making it and being such an integral part of our parade. (You may notice that the costume on Tori, his daughter, is green - could it have been last year's photo?)
The "All I Want for Christmas" dancers gladly pose for their photo. Didn't I say that we have some of the prettiest girls in Central Arkansas! Well, it might be because I really have seen any of these girls grow from the Tap 'n Tumble age right up to the ten and above age and many of the dancers are several years above ten. We're proud of each and every one of you, just as we are of the rest of the dancers and gymnasts.
Maurie Gangluff waits in her car to ride as a pageant winner - we had several pageant winners this year.
And in case you have seen handsome man around the gym and haven't known who he is, this is "PaPa" to Tori and Madi Spears and to many of the other kids at the gym. John is a great supporter of both our dance and gymnastics programs and does many things at the gym to help us. I don't think he knows how much we appreciate him or how much I do either!
Well, I didn't get a picture of Laurel - but we got one of me. Ha! We'll hopefully get more pictures tomorrow!
Thanks to all our of our wonderful students and parents. You are greatly appreciated and we never have enough opportunities to let you know how much! As I've said before, we hope you are as proud of us as we are of you.