The Nutcracker 2009

One of the many gifts my parents have given me is to take me and my siblings to the Ballet West production of The Nutcracker every Christmas since I was a little girl. Every year our whole family would pile in the station wagon and drive through the snow up to Salt Lake dressed in our best and watch this beautiful ballet. My brothers and sisters all love it and we have the whole thing memorized and are the first to clap at every leap! We are also the worst critics over the new costumes, the more modern choreography, the principle soloists, which ballerinas are getting old, etc:) It is our ballet. I have always loved going and the few years I missed while in college and on a mission are the only times I have ever not gone.

Since we've been married Joe has gone with me once and last year I took Ray for the first time. Believe it or not Ray LOVED it. We bought the CD and have been listening to the music all year so now my other kids know the music as well. This past Saturday I went with Ruby. She was entranced by it and watched the whole thing without tiring.

Over the years my favorite parts have been the Mother Buffoon, the Arabian Dancers, the Russian Dancers, and the Waltz of the Flowers. But in the last few years I have come to love the Grand Pas de Deux danced at the end by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. The music is not as well known as some of the other songs in the ballet, but it is so moving, so magical, and I love it. I am so grateful that my parents shared their love of the arts with me and I am thrilled to be continuing this tradition with my children.

If you have never been to The Nutcracker it is well worth the money. If anyone wants to go with me this year, I am taking Ray again the day after Christmas to the matinee at 2 pm. But if you can't make it, here is the Grand Pas de Deux for you to watch. Enjoy!!