Early Birthday present....for the next 10 years!!!

Andrew knows what a HUGE "Wicked" fan I've become! Even so much that I had Carissa singing the songs with me when she was just 2 years old!!! So when we found out that they were coming here, we just KNEW we'd be getting tickets. Weeelllllll......that didn't go quite as smoothly as we'd have liked. We found out AFTER they had already sold out for the entire run, so we missed that chance. I had pretty much written it off, and thought I'd have to go to NYC to see it. But he being the wise one, knew that it might be possible to find some, somewhere! So he went off searching.

And it would have been a HUGE surprise, but I somehow managed to find out (in my defense, he hadn't mentioned to NOT open the mail, and when an envelope came from "ticketmaster" I thought that it had something to do with the Rascal Flatts tickets...so of course I opened it!) Little did I know that he had been planning a really nice surprise to present them to me. So once again my snooping from growing up, ruined yet another surprise. At first I was sorry that I had ruined all his plans, and then the reality hit that I would be GOING to the show!!!

So the long awaited day finally arrived! We met downtown, went to our new FAVORITE restaurant, TaiPhoon (yummO!) Then went over to the theatre.

With the warm weather (really the PERFECT weather, there was quite a crowd outside, so we enjoyed a few minutes outside until it was ready to head in.
Once inside, I realize that the "good" seats that Andrew promised, were really GREAT seats! We were 6 rows back from the orchestra pit, and every once in awhile, we could see the conductors arm come up! I REALLY wanted to get pictures of the stage, but soon realized that there were ushers that would make you delete your pictures or would confiscate your camera.

So I managed ONE picture of the Time Dragon that sits above the stage. It was the COOLEST thing EVER! I blew smoke, was completely robotic and the eyes glowed red! It was really awesome! It KILLED me that I couldn't take any pictures, but after a while I was completely engrossed in the story and music that it didn't matter....that much!

After the show (the one I cried from the minute Glinda appeared in her "bubble" to the very end!!!) when it was over, we headed out to the alley to await the appearance of the cast members.

We met several of the ensemble, and talked with a few guys from "the pit"! (We had them convinced that we came to the show because we "worship the pit"!! Even though they were VERY good!! Hey it's good to stroke their ego too!!!) Then the "girls" started coming out.

Here I am with Nessarose. That is Elpahba's sister. She was super nice, and even had a cute little puppy with her!

Then Glinda came out, and she was happy to pose for a picture too!

I got a kick out of this....she brought her OWN pen....and a PINK sharpie! Isn't that the cutest????

Then the last one out was Elphaba. I guess it must take her a bit to get all the green off! She was delightful, and was so cute!! Hard to imagine someone so nice looking could really be the green witch!

Now I just want to find a way to see it again....and again....and again!!!!
The story is absolutely amazing, and the sets are incredible!! Definitely a must see if ever the chance comes! And anyone who is wondering, it really is a family friendly show!

So thanks Andrew, for the bestest (almost) surprise of all time! And now I better be good for birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc....for about 10 years.....unless they come back!!

Birthday Fun + Easter weekend!

We managed to make it through a fun week! Nikelle's birthday was Thursday, and that girl wanted to party all week! She had friends over last weekend, and watched movies all night then we had crepes in the morning. Yummy! Then of course she's been out of school for "spring break", and therefore feels that because it's her "birthday" she shouldn't have to do any chores! She managed to use that one until today, when it all piled up on her, and she had to do it anyway! But she did manage to talk a friend into taking her and her friend Jasmine to see the Hannah Montana movie (which I WAS not going to go see....nope! So thanks Lindsey!). So now the birthday celebrating is officially over! But she did manage to have her favorite ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery (which she's insisted on having for the past 3 years!), called Cake Batter Confetti! And I have to admit, I LOVE it too! Which explains why I've allowed her to have it for 3 years in a row! (Which is WAY easier than making one!!)


I can't believe my girl is FIFTEEN! Just doesn't even seem like that much time has gone by! But we were asked the other day if we were TWINS (like we look anything alike!!)!! I was flattered, but Nikelle said she wasn't sure if she should be insulted!

On Saturday we ventured over to Wheeler Farm, to check out the festivities there. Parking was a nightmare, but then found a business that was closed on Saturdays, so we parked in their lot and walked in. There were alot of vendors there, and we tried to walk through them, but she was impatient, because she knew there were bounce-y things there. So we tried walking through the animals, which she got impatient with too!

So we finally resigned to do what she wanted to do. We went over to the bouncy things, stood in line for almost 30 minutes. Got her inside, she bounced for all of 2 minutes, and wanted OUT! Poor little thing was being bounced around like crazy by the bigger kids in there!

So after determining that we didn't want to wait in line forever to have a repeat performance, we opted to head to lunch. But on the way out to the car, we passed a pasture with the cutest little donkeys in it. I was kneeling down to take a picture of one, when this gal stepped right into the frame and stood there until I snapped her picture! I love that they still have their winter coat!

After watching Shrek about a trillion times, it's hard to think of a donkey as a girl, but this one was, and she was so sweet! (Mom, this last one is for you!! Thought you would enjoy it!)

But this was the highlight of the farm...the pony ride! Didn't matter the amount of crying and whining, or the long line for a turn on the 2 ponies, she was SO happy on that pony! She even "allowed" me to take a picture. Usually I have to sneak them, but she actually asked for one this time!


Easter this year was pretty kick back for us. I have a thing about hard boiled eggs and vinegar, so I haven't dyed eggs in over 10 years! And I'm not starting now, so that is just not one of our traditions. I do support the plastic egg industry however, so we normally have an egg hunt. But Andrew had just applied some weed and feed the night before, so we couldn't do it outside, and I just didn't have the energy to do an indoor hunt. I know I'm a party pooper! But Carissa was so distracted by her basket of stuff, that she never even noticed the lack of eggs!



Amazing what a little wind up bunny can do! Carissa was entertained forever with this thing! And the cat gets really freaked out when it's bouncing around the floor! Cracks me up! I never could capture a picture of the cat watching it! She's such a colossal fraidy-cat!

We've been so happy to have a couple of days of warmer weather, and enjoy spending time outside again! Carissa's favorite thing to do these days is to scooter! She would much rather scooter on our walks than to ride in a stroller!

I shot these yesterday while she was dancing to the end credit song on Bolt (her new FAVORITE movie!) In fact the first thing I heard this morning as soon as she opened her eyes was, "WOOF, Woof, woof......aaaaa-hooooooooo!" Crazy girl! Yesterday she wanted Donavan to call her "Bolt" all day long! I hope she won't start insisting on eating her food on the floor! I don't know what I'll do if she starts taking it that far!


(How do you like her tag in front? She picked her own clothes, and got dressed all by herself!! I didn't stress about it cause I knew we weren't going anywhere!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I love the reminder of new life and the message of the resurrection. I really think spring is my favorite season! I just wish it would warm up so I can plant something without it dying! I worked in the garden yesterday, and hopefully I'll have it ready to plant in the next couple of weeks.

Idol performance cut off

So I normally don't post video links off of Youtube, but after only getting half of Adam's performance last night, I thought I hadn't recorded it long enough. Turns out I recorded 5 minutes over and had NO idea that the show ran even longer than that, so his performance was cut short. I've decided to post a link to the video just in case others want to see the amazing performance! Hopefully it will work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVWxxMDtMfg
Adam Lambert: "Mad World" - Performances - American Idol


I put up 2 links just in case the youtube one doesn't work.

Adam is by far the favorite in our house this season. He has so much vision and originality! Every week I can't wait to see what he'll come up with! Go ADAM!
Now if we can somehow get Scott out of there, it will be a fun season!

Wizard Of Oz...performed by my nieces..and others!

Last week, I had the priviledge to go and watch my nieces perform in "The Wizard Of Oz". They attend a charter school with students from K-9th grade. The entire cast was from the school! And my cute little niece Camille (who is 12) was cast as "Dorothy" for 2 performances. Hannah got to play multiple parts and had lots of fun with all her costumes!

Sorry for the long post, but wanted to get some pictures for my mom & dad that were unable to attend.

Her first costume was a munchkinland girl. The costumes were extremely colorful and "fluffy" with tons of netting. I shot this shot of her skirt while laying on the floor.

She was laughing so hard, and I got tons of interesting looks as I was shooting up her dress!

All the munchkinland girls had these cute curly-q's! Isn't that just cute!

Before the show started I wanted a shot of Camille holding little "Toto"! This was the absolute perfect little dog. she never barked and was drug around the entire stage, and Camille was really cute with her!

Carissa absolutely adores her cousins. She was waiting outside in line for the doors to open, but got impatient, so I brought her inside. She gave Camille this sweet hug, and wanted to play on the set just like her. Let's just say it was a tough 2 hours trying to keep her from going on the stage!

Here's "Dorothy" telling "Toto" that she won't let anyone take him away, and singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

After surviving the tornado (which they pulled off by swinging a set house above the stage) she arrived in Munckinland (just in case some of you have forgotten the story). This was the first scene that the girls were in together.

After meeting her traveling buddies. They all set off to "see the wizard"

Along the way, they meet the "jitterbugs". The costumes on these girls were so cute. It was hard to get a good shot of them all, since they were all "jitterbuggin" quickly around the stage!

Here is "Dorothy" meeting the witch. Check out the cute little monkey on the floor. I'm telling you, I've NEVER seen a production, at the elementary level, where the costumes were professional level costumes! Every little prop was perfect. And my sweet sister knows how hard some of the props were to find! (such as those cute little shoes!)

"I'm Melting....I'm melting!" They had a trap door in the stage, that the witch "melted" into! So creative!

They did a really interesting thing, and made the wizard a girl. She had THE cutest green striped skirt on, but the lighting was REALLY dark, and the color just didn't show up. Just use your imagination! So this is when she gave the Lion "courage".

And of course, after asking to go home, Dorothy finds out that she had the power all along to find her way back. "There's no place like home"!

These are my favorite shots. The curtain call. They were both smiling from ear to ear. They both did such an amazing job. Hannah is 9, and did an amazing job in all three of her characters!

I had to keep reminding myself that she was only TWELVE! And she carried the entire show!

So here are my cute nieces after the show! So proud of them, and so glad I took the time to go down for it!

Rough Week for the Littlest

This past week was really tough for Carissa. She picked up a "cold" from preschool, which started with a fever saturday night, which didn't end until Monday evening. I took her to the dr on Monday morning. They did a strep and flu test, both of which came back negative. So we went home to "wait it out" since it was probably just a virus. We knew we would just have to be patient, but we were glad that her appetite hadn't been affected. Then during the night she started HACKING! Not just an annoying cough, but a "shake the body until you are groaning in pain cough". And that lasted all night.....for TWO nights. Not to mention ALL day as well! And now, we had a new problem. She didn't want to eat ANYTHING. Not one single cheerio. Not one bit of toast. Not one single cracker. NOTHING.....for 2 days. Obviously her throat was killing, but she refused to let me look at it. Then on Thursday, when I was about ready to haul her back to the dr, not really caring how crazy I look for wanting to be seen for a "virus", they call me and tell me that the 2 day culture grew "something", but they still weren't sure if it was strep. So they called in an antibiotic (the pink stuff, which Carissa HATES) and now she seems to be doing much better. The cough is persistent, but her appetite has returned!

So this is what our week looked like with pictures.
We started off being silly while I tryed to get a decent picture. (I thought about posting the sticking-out-tongue ones, but I figure that might be all I get in the near future, so I better stick with a good one!) This was friday morning.

We even got outside for a nice walk!

Then this was Monday morning, running a fever and just being miserable. When she wasn't laying across my lap sleeping, she was on the couch watching TV.

When she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, she would sleep for about 20 minutes at a time, until she woke up coughing and moaning. Look at those poor little lips that were so chapped, because she was getting dehydrated.




And here we are now. Back to her normal messes, and dressing up and throwing the attitute around!



So good to have her back. I don't know what's more exhausting......taking care of her while she's sick....OR.....when she is running full throttle with more energy than I could ever muster! I have yet to figure that out.

Now the main reason I write this is because I want to stress to some people that it is still cold/flu/RSV season. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.......I BEG you to not bring your sick children to SCHOOL.....CHURCH.......PLAYLANDS........wherever! PLEASE! No I can't protect her from everything, but the little girl that got her sick was coughing quite severely and never should have come to school. Please use common sense and remember that some kids just manage to pick everything up and they just don't have the immune system to fight it off, without first declining almost to the point of being hospitalized. (The dr had told me that if she didn't start eating by the third day, then they would have to send her to Primary's). My little girl who only weighs 26 pounds.....LOST TWO pounds in TWO days! Some kids just don't have that kind of weight to lose. And it will take her a good 2 months to put it back on.



And then to add fuel to the fire.......I've got it too! And now I know why she was so miserable for 5 days!

So this is what I've learned over the past week. Because one mother wanted TWO hours of freedom from a sick child, it cost me an entire week of getting NOTHING done, 2 doctors visits (because I've now been in for a strep test as well) staying home from church twice, missing preschool 3 times (and I still have to pay for those days!) Andrew coming home early 3 days in a row (when he really couldn't afford to), and my daughter losing TWO POUNDS....over a "little cold"! Gee kinda doesn't look like a fair trade!

Awesome Tutorial

When I saw this tutorial over on TaylorMade's blog, I knew I wanted to try it "someday", but didn't have a picture that I thought would work. Well the carousel picture from last week works perfectly, so I got started. The action that creates this awesome look is from PanosFX. What is amazing is that they've also created an action that works in Photoshop Elements. However it is faster and easier if you have a full version of Photoshop (CS2-4). So if you have a version of Photoshop, give it a try. It was a really fun action to watch work! (boy does that sound "geeky")







Supplies are from Weeds & Wildflowers (paper, date strip, and hearts), OScraps (text overlays:TaylorMade)

Rascal Flatts Concert

Andrew surprised me with Rascal Flatts concert tickets for Valentine's Day. (he is getting better, isn't he?) We went to dinner over at the Gateway, to a place we'd never gone before called Taiphoon. The food was absolutely AMAZING! We ordered more than we normally would have but we brought most of it home. We just couldn't believe that everything could be so delicious, but it was. But if you go, remember to hit it either early or late. We got there around 5:45 and it was already packed! And it just got worse from there! They have a really great lunch special until 4:00, so that would be an option to avoid the crowd!

The concert started out with a bang! The guys made their entrance from above the stage, with this awesome "matrix" lighting! The stage was so very cool, and the lighting was extraordinary!

So here's my favorite shot of the whole concert (OK....ONE of them)

Check out the drummer in the background! LOVE it!

So here are the 3 guys.


They had these fabulous side screens that they did lots of pictures/videos with wicked lighting! Here is what the screen looked like while they were singing my very favorite song, "The broken Road".


Then the DEAFENING crowd for the curtain call!(good thing I'm an old fogie and wore ear plugs!) Then the guys came back out and rocked it out for another 20 minutes! Check out this duel going on!

And here it is after the confetti is shot out and these HUGE balloon things are dropped from the ceiling.

Man these guys know how to rock a concert!

And no, my seats weren't that close, just got lucky with my 300mm lens!

NOTE: I don't know why Blogger is cutting off half my pictures, but trust me, the other half are amazing too! Be patient, I'll figure it out somehow...anyone have any tips on HTML code?