Day One...Competition Begins....

And we're still blowing off steam! Why? There's no dance today...only freestyle events (but keep scrolling down for LOTS of pics!)
Even without the great Kia and Molly here to keep us organized, we still managed to get the dancers together for the annual Ice Dancers dinner. We went to a great Italian place called Milanos. There were only a few of us, but that's ok. It's hard to do the dinner without the people we know and love who are normally present to enjoy it with us. Teri and Tim are sorely missed, plus Julie and Mike are arriving late. Word got out kind of last minute too, so that made it hard, but we made the best of it!

Of course lunch didn't help much as Lorna and I proceeded to PIG out on brownie sundae (she talked me into it, I swear.)


We drove to Plattsburg early today because it was the only place we could get ICE! Now that the competition has begun, practice ice times have been cut to only 20 minutes and you are only allowed to buy one. Argh!
Check out the line to try and purchase extra ice! Forget that.

Regardless, we managed to buy private ice for 7 dance teams in Plattsburg (thanks to Lorna A.)and we had a great TWO hour practice. It was fabulous.

Not that is mattered to Margaret. She won her Bronze Freesyle event today. National Champ, baby!!!
We are soooo proud of you! CONGRATULATIONS!! She even has a gold dress to mach her medal. Hmmm...psycho-analytical judging influence? Nah! Just Margaret's pure talent!

Ok...so lots of pictures from last night's practice. Please keep in mind, I am not a sports photog. I do portraits. Plus, Ice rinks are challenging to shoot in. Bad light, white ice, dark subjects and fast moving objects---grrr....
So, these aren't the best. I odn't have the great sports lenses needed for this kind of work, but I know the pics are what everyone loves. So here ya go! Enjoy.









Oh and here's Bob, scoping out the competition! Hee!




Oh and last, but not least....Jordan's new red shoes. Aren't they cool?

My partner is so hip.
Until Next Time,
---J

PS Dance competition begins tomorrow. Oooh! I can't wait to take more pics!