Sharing a Stage with Broadway

Last weekend the tap company that I am blessed to be a part of, Footnotes Tap Ensemble, had it's 10th Anniversary Concert. It was a talent-filled performance of tap dancing, a live band and special guest artist Michelle Dorrance,. For those of you that are not familiar with Michelle - look her up! Michelle is a Bessie Award winning tap dancer. She is the dance captain for the Broadway sensation STOMP and has her own tap dance company called Dorrance Dance. It is truly an honor to share the stage with the world's most famous female tap dancer. The picture at the top of this blog entry is of the performers and the band - Peter Lam and the Wolves. Below is a picture of me and Michelle. Sharing a playbill with all of these people is a humbling experience like none other! It is difficult to put into words the feeling of sharing the passion for music, dance and entertainment with such a wonderful group of people. 

It's a Girl!

Meet Merritt Ellery. This is my new niece! I spent last week in Atlanta for the birth of this sweet little girl and her two year old big brother, Rundle. I not only had a great time getting to hold this 7 lb 12 oz and 21 inch bundle of joy but being thoroughly entertained by a two year old bundle of energy. 

One of my favorite things I did last week was my mom and I took Rundle to the Georgia Aquarium. The largest aquarium in the world! We saw all different kinds of fish, sharks, beluga whales, penguins, sea otters, dolphins and so much more! These are some of my favorite pictures from our trip to the aquarium.

What a surprise! While we were at the aquarium we ran into some of our Lanier cousins. It really is a small world! 

I am so thankful that I got to go spend a week in Atlanta with these sweet children, and of course my brother and sister-in-law! 

A Wolfpack Win

I have lived in Raleigh my entire life and this weekend I went to my very first NC State University football game! I know, crazy! I've known so many NC State "fanatics" throughout my life, it is a shock that I've never been to a State football game. This weekend I went with my friend Nicole to the NC State vs. #3 ranked Florida State football game. Well, this was probably the best game I could have chosen to go to for my first experience. NC State did not show up to play for the first half of the game. At halftime the score was Florida State 13, NC State 0. NC State only scored 3 points in the 3rd Quarter, but boy did they show up to play in the 4th Quarter. They won the game in the last seventeen seconds . The crowd in Carter-Finley was electric. This crowd reminded me of the ECU football crowd I love to call home. I just wish I got to experience this kind of electricity throughout the whole game. I'm glad that I chose this history-making game to attend! The Pirates are still my favorite, but I will admit the Wolfpack do know how to make a Saturday entertaining.

My Golden Birthday

Last week was my Golden Birthday. I learned about Golden Birthdays a few years ago. Perfect timing for mine! Your Golden Birthday is when you turn the age of the date of your birthday. So, my birthday is September 26th and this year I turned 26 years old. It was a great birthday. My co-workers surprised me with a decorated desk full of balloons, streamers, confetti and banners. 

After a large group lunch at the Carolina Ale House, they also surprised me with cookie cake!

Friday night my friend Josh came in town. It was so good to see him. He was in the Theatre & Dance Department with me at ECU and we spent many hours together in dance rehearsals. He is currently on the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof and is on a three week break. Be sure to look and see when the show comes to your town and go see Josh. I can't wait to go see the show when it comes to North Carolina later this year. 

Saturday night I got to spend time with my friend Kyla who was also in the Theatre & Dance Department with me at ECU. She just graduated law school and has moved to Florida to join "the real world." It was great getting to catch up and learn what new chapters have begun for her in her life. 

The week concluded at a dance rehearsal at the studio on Sunday. My Teen Company and Senior Company dancers surprised me with two cookie cakes! Oh how I love this dance family!

I am thankful for the outpouring of love I received last week from my friends and family. If this is what my first week of 26 feels like, I think I might like 26.