Taking the Lead: Lessons From a Life in Motion (21 page)

Chubby!

Holy sombrero! If anyone has seen this hat, please return it to me immediately. I need it back!

My first encounter with a drum—I was already drawn to a good beat!

We were always an outdoor kind of family.

Our family in Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

My karate class—one of the many activities that I hated going to and ended up loving.

My dance partner Autumn and I in 1997 standing proudly with one of our many trophies.

Winning first place in the Juniors age group at Blackpool in 1998 with Leanne Noble. My first big win!

Jade and me. Puppy love!

Goofing off with the Center Stage gang and my partner Autumn DelGrosso.

Me and my mom—check out those biceps . . . or lack thereof !

Sporting my Dallas Cowboys gear. Little did I know that one day I’d be dancing alongside Emmitt Smith!

Hanging with Jules in the desert—my love of being outdoors started early.

Ballas family portrait from 2000—Julianne and I were always included and made to feel like part of the family.