The Dancer Can Golf?

Shocking ... I know! I took a golf class this semester because it is Dustin's "thing" and I wanted to learn and be able to golf with him. So back in October we finished our third round of golf at East Bay in Provo. It was so fun for me to learn and better appreciate something new to me that my husband loves. Dustin is such a good golfer and I'm amazed at the control and precision he has gained. He was such a trooper because I admit the second round was tough for me with a couple terrible holes. I guess I just wanted to be so good at it ... I guess I'm a little naive like that. But hey, we had so much fun together and I'm so so glad that I got the opportunity to learn to play golf and share it with my husband!

Favorite Pic of the Moment

To keep things going, I decided I'd do a little "Favorite picture and memory of the moment" thing every now and then. So here is #1:

This was my little 4 & 5-year old tap, ballet, and jazz dance class from last year. Aren't they adorable? They really taught me a lot actually. Patience was big, but love even more. You can't help but love them when they run up to you and say, "Miss Lauren, watch this!!", and do an exhilerated leap for you. Haha! Sometimes I had have one who couldn't focus or do what they knew they were supposed to instead of do what they wanted to do. My first reaction was to gently 'get after' them, but on the other hand, the more I told her how much I knew she could do it and just talked to her as a friend, she completely turned around. She wanted to dance her best every class. I think that taught me more about how to love people. That is so much more important than any differences between you. But anyway, they were a ton of fun and look so stinking cute in their flower costumes. Good job little ballerinas!

How Lucky Am I?

Darn it! I'm horrible at keeping up on my blog... Well the summer came to a screeching halt and somehow it's that time of year again...Back to School! I have very mixed feelings about this particular year because it's my last at BYU. I will be graduating in April. I've really been feeling myself burning with the ;work' part of school and I know I won't miss that at all. But on the other hand, I love learning and I love BYU. BYU gets a lot of grief from people, but I've been so blessed to attend. I've grown academically, mentally, and spiritually. There aren't many places in the world that allowe you and even encourage you to blend academics with spirituality--they both enhance each other.
I'm sad and glad to not be performing this year. I already miss those girls and the fun time we have together. But I feel ok because I'd rather stop before I hate it...if you know what I mean. But I'm taking some awesome classes this year that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Here's the run-down: Teach two sections of beginning ballet at the University; Somatics (once I really figure out what that means...I'll let ya know); golf (hey, why not?); interior design (don't worry, I've already looked through the whole book and magazines, and can't wait to get started); advanced writing (...it's required, otherwise, no way); cooking!; "The Living Prophets" taught by Brother Lloyd Newell (so wonderful already); and of course, ballet class. Although I've already felt like I have more homework than I've just about ever had in my college career, but it's going to be great! How lucky am I?

4th of July Weekend

I love the 4th of July - I love the red, white, and blue, fireworks, and American spirit. This year's was just as good as any. To start off the weekend we headed out to the hot-air balloon launch. It was even more fun than I thought it would be. We got there early in the morning while the 11 balloons were being laid out and blown up. Unforunately, it was quite windy so after waiting for a half hour only three balloons took off. Bummer!! But it was still exciting to see the balloons tower over you and fly into the sky.

On Monday, we went to the PRCA Oakley Rodeo with my parents. I really wanted Dustin to come since hasn't had the experience. I'm a huge fan of this particular rodeo because it's such a culture; it's like you're in a totally different place because of the cowboys everywhere, smell of dirt and manure, and "country-talk". I get so excited to go! It's out in the middle of nowhere and they certainly put on a good show. If you're an animal rights person (which I must admit I personally don't feel very strongly about), it may not be your cup of tea. But this year we saw some awesome stunts along with some moments that made your heart jump - awesome ;). The highlight is of course the bull riding and let me just say those guys are crazy. I mean, come on, bareback on a gigantic bull that's a bit irritable?? You don't realize how ginormous those are until you see them in person. But it's sure exciting to watch!

At the Mall

Funny story: the other day we were walking through the mall. We passed by one of the booths that sells "fancy" creams and lotions with ingredients supposedly from the Dead Sea. There is some background with this particular booth. Last Christmas Dustin got cornered by the saleswoman at that booth and she gave him the whole pitch despite his trying to get away. She wanted to sell him all sorts of packages along with offering to have him try some samples. Anyway, this other day we passed by and saw a man holding an Express bag who seemed to be listening to/purchasing some of their products. Just then, under his breath, Dustin said "Ha ha, sucker". I saw the man's profile and said "That looks like Donny Osmond...ha". We kept walking and I thought, yeah that really did look like Donny Osmond. I couldn't help it, so I turned us around to walk back past the booth and low and behold, it really was Donny Osmond! It gave us a good laugh.

Surprise!

Well I actually pulled it off. I threw Dustin a surprise birthday party and it was a good surprise. The he's a pretty sharp guy so I was really nervous it wouldn't quite work. I really struggled keeping calm and eating my dinner ... phew! But thanks to all our great friends and family it turned out awesome! Happy Birthday Honey!!


I couldn't resist this completely perfect cake when I saw it :)

Our First Anniversary!

Well we hit our first year of being married and I'll tell you what...the time has flown by. We've had so much fun and I'm happier than I've ever been. In the spirit of the event, these are some things I love about Dustin:

* He always makes sure I know he loves me
* He thinks of everyone before himself
* He loves people and they love him
* He never complains ... really!
* He lets me put my feet under his legs to keep them warm
* He works hard
* He puts up with my silly endeavors
* He is handsome ... I sure got lucky
* He can always make me laugh
* His dumb jokes and fake laugh
* He is so humble and so grateful
* He's all I could ever ask for ... I could go on...

One activity of the day was going to Dustin's cousin's wedding (they're the "Angie and Dan") and they had a photo booth for a favor, so this is us exactly one year later. Here's to many more years!

April 7, 2010 - A new addition

Baby Jacob Christopher Bateman was born to my brother Chris and his wife Michelle. Man, is he adorable! I hope our kids are that cute.

I got the call from Michelle while I was teaching a class at BYU and I knew she was probably in labor, and it killed me to not be able to answer the phone. Sure enough, she left me a message and she said, "Well I'm lying in a hospital bed with a huge needle in my back and feeling much better...haha ... So we should have a baby in our arms by noon". We were so excited making phone calls and making plans. Unfortunately, Dad was out of town at the Masters (too bad for him ... Dustin felt bad anyway). So I brought my laptop to the hospital and we Skype-ed him in to meet his first grandchild. It was kind of a funny sight to see me holding a laptop above the baby, but it was sure fun for us all to actually see the actual baby.

This is the first grandson for my parents so they are in heaven, especially my Mom. He's also my first nephew...on this side of the family, so I feel like I have some possession ;) I love the wrinkles he gets above his forehead when he's awake and his button-chin. It's such a fun thing to watch your family expand and grow! Congratulations Chris and Michelle!

Adventures in Renting

Our kitchen decided to completely flood a few weekends ago. It had a small leak before and we had fixed what we thought was the problem. But as you can see, we fixed the wrong problem. They pulled up the corner of the carpet and put a fan behind it. Luckily we now have a beautiful new floor...that's not carpet! I guess when you've had it bad, you appreciate the best more.

Before
(it even got worse than this) and after

BYU Tour

I just got back on Sunday from going on tour to the Pacific Northwest with Theatre Ballet. We were gone nine days, with eight performances. Phew! Honestly, I was a little nervous about going, but it turned out to be an amazing experience. After each show, we went out in costume and met the audience as they were leaving. Many people had never seen a ballet before but they knew there was something special about our company. The little girls especially loved it; we took pictures and signed lots of autographs. In short, we felt like little celebrities which is definitely out of the ordinary.

The Company (minus the guys) at the pier in Seattle

Always striking a pose :)

Stuck in the dressing room for four hours in the middle of the day...somehow still smiling

Our light tree

Ron, my favorite and one of the most amazing people I know. He's the Dance Trainer and he came along to help our bodies stay in one piece!

I count myself so lucky to be on the Company and to have been able to meet so many people on tour and strengthen friendships. I have learned so much more about how the arts are so closely linked to the gospel and how we can be missionaries in everything we do.

Catch Up #4 - New Years at the Cabin

The Griffiths kids got all together for some snowmobiling!

Catch Up #3 - Our First Christmas!

Temple Square

Love this shot

St. Andrew's golf jacket from Mom and Dad Griffiths.

It is perfect!

Catch Up #2 - Disneyland

Last August, my mom and dad took us all to Disneyland! It was a blast; from tracking down characters, to tired feet, to Mom and a yellow bag (long story), to funny sleep-talking, to 'fast-passing' the same rides over and over...we had a good adventure!

Catch Up #1

On May 1, 2009 I married Dustin King Griffiths. I love him so much!

The Beginning...

Well I decided I'd give this blogging thing a try. If anyone is an expert, I would love any helpful hints. Here we go...