A Monday night ritual at our house that has been going on for 3 years during the winter is to hurry and get dinner over with so that we could sit down and watch Dancing with the Stars.  Immediately after it started Haylie would make either Shane or Brody dance with her. (Usually Shane)  One of my favorite questions she asked Shane..."Hey Dad, are you ready to cha cha cha?"  That's all it took.  With a smile and a quick giggle off the couch he would go and a night of dancing would begin. They were very good sports to dance with her every Monday night.  I kept trying to sneak my camera in the living room so that I could take pictures but I wasn't very successful.  Luckily I got it past them a couple of different nights.

She is definitely in her element.  She would do just about anything to get someone to dance with her.  The smile on her face says it all...so much happiness from something so simple.

She was trying to "coach" Brody on what to do.  He was a pretty good sport.

"THE QUICKSTEP"

I think they are attempting the quickstep.  Sometimes their feet got going faster than their bodies which resulted in a pile-up on the floor. 

Shane giving her a spin.

A lot more tricks were involved when it was dad's turn to dance. 

"THE WALTZ"

Slow dancing.  Practicing for the future?

"THE DIP"

 This move enables Shane to take the opportunity to move in for a quick squeeze or a tickle.  Always fun to add a little laughter to the move.

"DANCING THE FREE STYLE!"

  Lifts are allowed when performing this dance and she takes full advantage of that.  Notice the pointed toes.

Don't you worry...if she can't talk Shane or Brody into dancing with her (or when they're tired) she has no problem carrying on with the performance by herself.  Always asking at the end of the dance what her score is. 

Haylie is such a little bundle of joy and happiness in our family.  It seems like she has us all wrapped around her cute little finger.  Brody is an excellent big brother to her.  She doesn't have to coax for very long to get him to participate with her.  Shane is an extraordinary dad.  One of the first things I fell in love with about him was the way he interacted with children.  It made my heart melt to watch him get on the floor and play with the kids.  He is so hands on with his children.  He always takes the time to give them a squeeze, a kiss or a tickle, and ask them about their day.  They admire and look up to him more and more every day.  I am very grateful to have everyone of them in my life.  We have a pretty special little family...they all receive a perfect "10" from me.