Newsies!

Holy Moly!  Almost through the month of June!

Max was cast as "Henry" (a main Newsie in the show) in the AYT production of Newsies.  He was cast with all of his best friends so the whole show run was a party.  The show was performed at a professional venue--the Tempe Arts Center--and IT WAS AMAZING to say the least.

It was such a great experience for Max all around and definitely pushed him to his limits on his dancing abilities.  But he pulled it of with flying colors just like he always does.

He got his own poster!!!

Super fan-Tatum

Carlie proving that she & Max have the SAME smile:)
They must be siblings or something:)

Dylan, Max, Sarah, & Madi
(Jack, Henry, Buttons, & Specs)

With the Music Director:
CJ O'Hara)

Henry & Buttons

No!  NOT a real bloody nose in this next pic.  But I did get the dreaded call that Max was dropped and hit his head in a fight scene during a performance.  Thank goodness all was well and no concussion was had:). I just held my breath for EVERY performance after that!

Specs & Tatum

Jack & Henry

Rayshawn & Max

Carter & Max

Ms. Askins--5th Grade Teacher
and one of Max's biggest supporters!

Lois, Henry, Mr. Pulitzer (Noah), Kayleah, & Carlie

My favorite trio:
Kayleah, Carlie, & Lois

The whole TERRIFIC cast!

This last picture is HUGE.  Tatum is kinda a shy girl.  She's known Bruce G. (the AYT choreographer) for over a year now and he FINALLY convinced her to give him a huge.  A picture was definitely in order for this occasion!

BYU Softball Camp!

Our June was CRAZY to say the least--Chris was gone to Europe for 12 days, Carlie was working full-time, Max was in several productions at the same time, and Tatum and I headed off to Provo for her second time attending the BYU Softball Camp.

This year, Tatum & Chloe insisted on staying in the dorms on their own.  Amber and I were great with that.  We all flew out together and got a rental car for the week for Amber and I.  Tatum & Chloe partied at BYU and Amber & I had the best girl's week ever!

We were laughing so hard at the girls as we checked them into their dorms.  They were the most basic dorm room ever with very basic amenities but to the girls, it was like a 5-Star hotel!  They were SOO excited about EVERYTHING!!!  "OH MY GOSH!  FEEL these sheets!  They are SOOO soft."  "Our room is HUGE!"  "WE HAVE OUR OWN FRIDGE!"  They didn't even seem to mind the community bathrooms:). They were definitely living "Their best lives!"

Checked in with their bags of goodies!

Girls with Cosmo!

Their very own mini-fridge!

Amber and I headed out on our own adventures.  We shopped, ate amazing food, rafted down the Provo River, and watched movies.  It was AWESOME!  It was kinda nice to escape for a week and NOT have a set schedule of places to be and things to get done.  

Horses at the Provo River

On the last day, we went and watched our girls in action on the ball field.  They loved every single minute of the week.  Apparently, they had the "party/hang-out dorm" because they had all the good food that Amber & I bought for them at the beginning of the week:). They made lots of new friends and have both made the goal to play softball for BYU someday.  

Head Coach Eakin

Coach Pete (from Australia)

Coach Taylei

Coach Rilee

Coach AJ

Coach Morgan

Coach Arissa

Coach Ally

Coach Aubree

Tatum, Emily, Mary, & Chloe

Their RA--Julia

We then headed over to the Provo City Temple for the girls to do baptisms.  It was really cool to be in this Temple.  It is no where near as busy as the Gilbert Temple.  The girls got right in and then afterwards got to stamp and record their own names!

Then it was dinner at Brick Oven Pizza and pedicures to finish out our amazing week.  

 

So we have decided that this has to be a yearly tradition.  We had such a great time and can't wait to do it again!

High School Musical 2!

Max had an INSANE June.  On top of his Catholic film, he was in Newsies, and THEN was begged to join the cast of High School Musical 2 at AYT as "Troy Bolton"--which has been a dream role of his for years:). He has a signature bow that he does for every curtain call which he calls his "Troy Bolton."

So for about 2 straight weeks, Max was at the theatre from 9 am to 9 pm.  Never once complaining because the theatre is his happy place for sure.  Carlie was also working in the theatre box office this summer which meant she was able to get him to all his rehearsals and get him food so it kinda worked out perfectly.

For closing night, we did our best to embarrass him--which is nearly impossible to do--and we did a pretty darn good job of it--giant Max heads and glitter posters.  With the help of our good friends, the Brassows, we were the ultimate "Max Meeker Fan Crew."

Tyler, Carter, & Max
(Zeke, Chad, & Troy)

Austin & Max
(Ryan & Troy)

BFFs on and off stage

Victoria & Max
(Gabriella & Troy)

Max & Marguerite
(Troy & Sharpay)

Here's a video that several years old but show his signature "Troy Bolton" curtain call:  (in slo-mo of course to increase the dramatic effect)

Teen Life Training Video

Max was hired to be a "Teenage Football/Jesus Fan" for the Catholic Church Youth Teen Life Program.  At first he was a little shy--believe it or not--but then settled right into the whole thing.  He had the BEST time hanging out with all the other guys.  He made lots of new friends and now has lots of new Instagrams to follow:). This video will be used by the Catholic Church for their Worldwide Youth Training.  So, REALLY cool that's he's "international" now.

Such a good little Catholic boy:

Amazing Friends/Memories

I love this picture for so many reasons.  These women are some of my most best friends that I have made since being married and moving to AZ 21 years ago.  I have the fondest memories of park playdates, girl's crafting nights, and even a Mexican Cruise with a few of them.  I feel lucky to have made these friends before cell phones became a big thing because we actually talked to each other and developed real/personal relationships that will last a lifetime.

We were all together on this night to say goodbye to Stacy--who was moving back to Maryland.  And since she's moved back, her youngest son has been diagnosed with cancer.  We have laughed together, cried together, triumphed/failed together and will continue to do so even though we are separated by miles, wards, stakes, and life circumstances.  LOVE LOVE LOVE these sweet women.