Quinceanera

Paul and Rockwell minister to the Arnold family in our ward. They were visiting at their house one day and Sister Arnold asked Rockwell if he would dance in Jade's Quinceanera. To our surprise, Rockwell said he would be happy to. They have 14 couples dance to represent the 14 years of Jade's life before her 15th birthday. They met every Friday night for months to learn and practice a Salsa and a Waltz. All the kids except Matthew (also from our ward) go to Maeser Prep Academy, but Rockwell fit right in with them on the first night. They're all really nice, fun kids.

The big day finally came, and all the kids looked so nice!! They met at our church at 3:00 where the limos picked them up. They went to Nielson's Grove to take pictures, and then the limos took them to the event center for their big entrance. They had so much fun in the limos!!

Paul and I got "dressed to impress" like the invitation said, and headed over at 5:00.

The Court of Honor arrived around 5:30 and the party began! Jade was presented by her parents, and then given her last toy by her mom. Then her dad changed out her flat shoes to her first pair of high heels. It's symbolic of Jade officially changing from a child to a young woman. 

Jade had her first dance in her high heels with each member of her family, and then the 14 couples, plus Jade and her partner danced their waltz. People had prepared toasts, and her dad sang a song that he wrote for her. It was very sweet.

After that, dinner was served. We all ate and visited for a while before the next part of the presentation started. Jade's little brother Joshua loves Rockwell!! He followed him around all night. :)

The kids performed their salsa dance after dinner, and they all did such a great job! It was really fun to see Rockwell dance!

There was a surprise show by some Bolivian dancers, and then the rest of the night was a dance party. 

I'd say the dance party started a little after 8:00, and Paul and I lasted until about 9:00. It was really fun to watch everyone party. Rockwell was having so much fun dancing with all these new friends he's made, but Paul and I were very tired so we told him to call us when he was ready to come home. He stayed dancing and partying until 11:30. That was a long day for him!! He said that was the best party he's ever been to in his life though. It was a sacrifice for him to go to practice every Friday night for months (the Arnold's were so grateful for the sacrifice all these kids made for Jade, and expressed that beautifully throughout their toasts), but he's very happy that he was asked to participate and that he chose to say yes. He said he enjoyed getting to know Jade better, he loves the new friends he made, and he doesn't know if any party will ever live up to this quinceanera. :) They sure do know how to throw a party!!