WICKED AWESOME!!!!

Last Thursday, I had the wonderful opportunity to fly to Florida to visit my good friend Katie -- we had been eagerly waiting for months for the time to arrive when we would be going together to see "Wicked." Oh my goodness, I know I can't find words cool enough to describe how wonderful it was, but I'll do my best.

I left Salt Lake Thursday at 1 am, and even though I'm a total insomniac and thought this would be the perfect flight for me, I must admit I was pretty tired. But no matter, I had Saturday's matinee to look forward to, so nothing could bring me down.

Katie and I went to dinner on Thursday night with my dad, my brothers Adam and Matt, and Matt's girlfriend Osmelie (hope I'm spelling that right.) We went to Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and enjoyed some delicious pot roast and great company.

We posed for some photos together after -- do we look like we're freezing? Cuz we are freezing. I went to the Sunshine State hoping for some relief from the cold winter, but unfortunately it was so darn cold there I could hardly stand it. But no worry -- I had my "Wicked" to keep me warm.

Friday, Katie and I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). I was despondent to find out they no longer have the Ruby Slippers on display at the Great Movie Ride, which has always been a highlight of my visits to the park. But we still had lots of fun, riding my favorite rides like the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. Good times.

This picture of us cracks me up -- Katie's expression is hilarious.

It happened to be ESPN weekend or something that day, so there were lots of major athletes in the park, and would you believe that among them were the great Brandi Chastain (defender for the US Women's National Soccer Team) and Shawn Johnson (US Olympic Gymnast). It was so fun to see them, and I even got Brandi to autograph my ticket. Super cool.

Then, finally, the big day -- Saturday arrived, and we set out for Tampa to see "Wicked." Oh man, was I on cloud nine. Here's a shot of me before the show, about to burst. It's not great quality because the flash had to be off to see anything, which in turn made it blurry. But you can get the gist of it and see the map of Oz in the background.

Trying to wait patiently for the show to start.

I was totally floored by the show. I mean, really, I knew it was going to be good -- I've had the soundtrack for years and adore it, and I've got a bootleg copy with the original actors (yes, Kristin and Idina), and I've watched tons of clips on youtube -- but nothing can compare with actually being there in the theater, and feeling it as well as seeing and hearing it. I was a little worried about being let down because I love Idina and Kristin so much and to me they ARE the show, but that did not happen at all. The show is the show, and it's so good in and of itself that the very talented girls in the lead this time were able to do a fabulous job and make it what it should be. It was truly better than I ever imagined.

Thanks to Katie, a friend I love so much, for taking me to see this show. And thanks to Chris for letting me go. It was a day I will never forget!

"Happy is what happens, when all your dreams come true . . . "

Arrow Of Light

Nathaniel, the world's greatest Cub Scout, was honored at last week's Blue and Gold Banquet. He has completed his Webelos and received the Arrow of Light, which is the highest award a Cub can receive.

Attaching the "mom pin" to his proud mother.

Chris and I had the chance to talk a little bit about our son and to share a couple of experiences about watching him grow from a boy into a young man. I told about the time after Lindsey broke her arm when we found all 3 kids in their room, kneeling together, with Nathaniel offering a prayer for his sister. Chris talked about the time last year when a boy on the bus was saying and doing inappropriate things and Nathaniel stood up to him and told him it was not right, knowing the boy would be mean to him if he did. We couldn't be more proud of him. He's an amazing person.

The Banquet was so much fun. The Scout leaders in our ward are just wonderful and have done so much for our boy. We are very thankful to them for all their hard work.

Just because, I thought I'd post these two funny photos from recent life. Here's Joseph below, during Stake Conference. Chris had to sit on the stand, so I was left to wrestle Joseph alone, which I can't do very well because he is much stronger than me . . . and oh, so bad. :) I took him out to the van once I'd had enough -- he looks like he's feeling very punished, doesn't he?

We caught these funny boys in Nathaniel's room on a Saturday morning, playing some video games together. Too cute.