Awesomely...Wicked!

Yesterday we went with the in-laws to see "Wicked." I had heard about it because many of my friends have seen it 2-3 times, and they all have the soundtrack in their cars. I don't mind a good story, and if there is music that goes with it....even better! I was a little hesitant because usually when people hype something up, it almost always never turns out as good as expected, but I can say that I really enjoyed watching "Wicked" and I felt so dumb because after the first Act, I sobbed like an idiot! Luckily, my super fun & prepared sis-in-law Chalonn, came to my rescue and provided me with much needed tissues to wipe my wet blotchy face. The play was whimsical, cute, funny, moving, and definetely entertaining. Mike was ok with it, and didn't see what the hype was about. He thought the play should have ended about 5 minutes before it did...more drama! But when it comes to live theater, I believe that you take out of it whatever you are willing to take. For example, Mike still doesn't understand why I cried with "Spam-a-lot," and don't expect him to, but I believe a good play should provide opportunities to laugh, cry, think, reflect, and make changes in your own life for the better. All that along with being entertained and a good musical soundtrack earns five stars from me!

So if any of these plays come to your hometown, make it a night at the theater!

Here we are at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. My father-in-law was taking the picture, and thankfully the light was low other wise you would see blotches all over my face!

End of Summer, pt. 2

Continuing on with our Summer re-cap: Isabel turned four! I can not believe how fast time has gone by...we moved here when I was pregnant with her. This is the only place she knows, and the only place the boys remember (well, Sam remembers some things from California) but this is where their 'childhood' has been! To celebrate our little princess, we had yet another Princess Birthday Party! This time, I wised up and used one of my in-laws miniature horses & the carriage (same one from the parade) - dressed it up, and now it was a princess carriage! Originally we were going to have a "Little Pony" party, but when Isabel saw the covered wagon my father-in-law put together for the parade (see End of Summer, pt.1) she immediately said "I'm a princess!" - so it was very easy to change her soiree to a princess theme!

We asked the guests to wear their favorite princess dress.
Isabel picked the flower in her hair...

As the 'princesses' arrived, they were driven around the back of the house in the carriage to where the party was...

Here are some of Isabel's little friends & cousins (Sofia, Allari, and the boys are missing from this picture)

...more carriage rides!

...more little princesses!

Here's my sad attempt at making a castle cake!
It didn't turn out as well as I would have liked,
but Isabel liked it, and that's all that matters!

Isabel got upset because the wind blew out the candle - you just can't fight the powers of nature!

Happy again now that it was time to open presents...
Sofia was happy and ready to assist!

Caught in the act!
It was hot, so after the cake and presents the kids changed into their bathing suits, played on the trampoline, and ran through the sprinklers. While we were keeping an eye on that, a little someone got past me back to the cake and...

GOT SECONDS!!!

...yummy!

End of Summer, pt.1

I can't believe the summer is coming to an end - I feel like we did a lot, and accomplished nothing. In any case, here are some events that occurred this summer, and I have not had a chance to post.

It's a tradition for the the Redd family to participate in the Kingston 4th of July Parade. The theme this year was "Enduring Spirit." My mother-in-law had the cutest idea to do our little float as "Enduring Pioneer Spirit." She got the kids and anyone else that wanted to walk the parade a bonnet & apron for the girls, and a hat/vest/shirt for the boys. I admit it, these clothes are not very slimming, but we can so totally reuse these at some Primary activity. My in-laws have two mini-horses (which the kids love) and this year was Sofia's first year riding in the carriage - which I liked because I didn't have to push the stroller.

Here are all the kids posing before the parade - you can see David peeking thru right behind Isabel in the dark pink bonett - it was hard to get a clear pic of all the kids because as they arrived they climb right up into the carriage and wouldn't move...gotta love them!

Right before all the cousins arrived, Sam & David posed for me...kinda...

Sofia is just making herself right at home in the carriage

London, Kate & Isabel, waiting for the parade to start

McKay & Sam walked in front of our 'float' - I made this sign the night before (you can tell) I thought it was only going to take me an hour to complete, but I ended up going to bed until 3:30AM - the sign still looks so homemade. My mother-in-law and others complemented me on it, but what were they going to say? Oh well...maybe next year....

Love Sofia's pionneer look -this year David got to sit at the front of the carriage, pretending to drive the horse

Isabel...she doesn't really like to smile for the camera, but looks very pioneerish(if that is not a word, it is now)!

My in-laws - straight out of the history books!

That's silly...it's not Christmas anymore!

I was looking at my some blogs from the family and Isabel asked what I was looking at - I told her that I was looking at blogs to which she asked "what's a blog?" - I answered her question, then she asked "do we have a blog?" to which I said yes and showed it to her, then she said with disgust "that's silly...it's not Christmas anymore!"

So...to not embarrass my 4 year old child, I must update our blog!

To start with, here are some pics of the kids at Point No Point beach...

Here's Sam with a stick - he's a warrior of some sort...

David was busy building things,
and here he is with one of his masterpieces

Isabel was just having fun enjoying the sun!

Sofia likes to carry three of something (i.e. figures, toys, cars),
why should she make an exception at the beach? so she found three sticks!

Here's the gang...wow, I can't remember the last time
we took a family picture!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas trees lovingly decorated by Isabel (left), David (center) and Sam (right). Most ornaments handcrafted by them.

Merry Christmas to you from us!

....day 347, and there is no sign of life.

...well, it feels like we've been home forever, but a huge storm came in Saturday afternoon, and we've been stuck here ever since, so this will be our fourth day indoors, but it feels longer since we stayed in Thursday & Friday after last week's storm. The news report the main streets should be somewhat clear of snow, but slick with ice. Our street is still packed with snow & ice, and I've heard of people having a difficult time getting up the hill to get to our street. My father-in law has snow tires, and has been picking up Mike to get him to the Ferry so he can make it to work - what a life saver he has been! Luckily we didn't lose power, but there is another storm coming in tonight. I'm glad we finished our Christmas shopping, so the kids will have something to open come Thursday...in the mean time, we are just playing around (made our own sled - once again of things I had around the house), drinking hot cocoa, and hoping we get some sun soon...or at least get above freezing!

David overlooking the playhouse...

then playing with the "sled"

the beginning stages of Sam's snow fort!

Isabel dancing in the snow and trying to catch a snow flake!

Sofia was not sure what to do until she saw the "sled"

"somebody, I'm ready...pull me!"

"thanks daddy!"

We took these pictures on Sunday - we got a lot more snow since then. The trash was supposed to be picked up last Friday morning...at this rate, I don't know when they will be able to get in here to get the trash...

School's Canceled!

Well, we had another snow storm early this morning and school was canceled. Because we live in a "rural" area with hills & tons of side roads, school gets canceled if it's too slick for buses to get out to pick up the kids...so we stayed in and made sleds out of candy bars, candy canes, and chocolate Santas. The kids had a good time putting them together, and they loved eating them after! Here are their final works of art!

Isabel's, Sofia's (done with my help), David's, and Sam's (his has a bag behind Santa)

Sam later attached 9 reindeer (pieces of foil) at the front of his sleigh

David attached one...

Isabel wanted her candy canes to lay flat - she used tons of tape, but it did not matter what it looked like, because she ate it in 60 seconds flat...yes, she has a sweet tooth!