AWESOME Youth Dance Festival 2008!

July 24th - 26th was our Regional Youth Dance Festival with performances on Friday and Saturday. Bishop Marlatt helped back stage in the young men's area and had a great time. He was there everyday without fail.

"Vienna Waltz"

Our stake had the best synchronized performances. They did awesome in the Waltz, Swing and Samba, but then I might be a bit prejudiced too.

I went with Cheryl and Josh Friday and sat with the Martinsen family to watch the first showing. Noah was very interested in all the action and colors of the dancers.

Here he is with his Grandpa and Grandma Martinsen.

By the time the dance was about over Noah had had enough action for one day.

"The Samba"

Bob was going to sit with us for at least one of the showing but wasn't able to because they were short on helpers back stage in the young men's dressing area. Josh and Cheryl spent the night Thursday at our house and we went together to the dance festival. Bob got home late Thursday evening from the youth conference and had to leave very early Friday morning so Noah got to see Grandpa Marlatt all but a glimpse here and there each day, but was able to say goodbye in the parking lot after the Friday performance as they were getting ready to head home.


Saturday Bob and I went with Rich and Allisha to Randy and Cathy Naegle's sealing in the Portland Temple and then straight to the dance festival for the Saturday afternoon showing. We stopped long enough in Olympia for Rich and Allisha to pick up their car so Bob could stay the rest of the time at the Tacoma Dome with the youth.

"The Swing Dance"

Rich, Allisha and I enjoyed the 2pm session and then had lunch at the quaint little "Burger Stop" in Fife. They had the best milkshakes I have had in a long time! While we were there I saw a friend from Wood Badge that had his daughter dancing in the festival with one of her LDS friends. They came to every performance and loved it. We then headed home after a very long and fun filled day.

It seemed like the youth got better and better at each performance... although they were outstanding in all their performances. You could tell in their faces that they were truly having a great time.

I wish that I was closer and could have gotten more pictures of our youth, there were so many of them that participated and I wanted to include them here but the pictures didn't turn out very clear. Sorry about that.