It's the best of both worlds

A couple months ago we heard Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana) was coming in concert, doing a concert half as Miley and half as Hannah. We had the brilliant idea that we'd try to get tickets for Rachel for her birthday. Little did we know tickets would sell out in under 15 minutes and online prices would skyrocket, often going up into the thousands of dollars for tickets. That brilliant idea was completely dashed.

Then last week a friend of a friend won tickets on a local radio station. Two days later, my neighbor won as well. With two people I knew winning, I thought I might have a chance as well, so I spent a HUGE part of last week listening to a crappy radio station with even WORSE dj's trying to win tickets. Of course I don't have that kind of luck. Even getting up at 5:00 yesterday morning because they were giving away 5 more sets netted me nothing.

But... another friend of a friend had agreed to buy tickets from someone who had some extra tickets. Then she found out ticketmaster had released more seats. She went online and purchased tickets at the normal face value price in case the guy she was buying the tickets from was scamming her. (By the time I found out, the tickets available were so bad, we wouldn't have even seen the stage so I wasn't willing to pay the price.) That meant, assuming the guy was legit, she had 4 extra tickets she was willing to sell at face value. And I got two of them. :D Rachel and I, as well as two neighbor girls, went up to Key Arena last night for what ended up being an amazing show.

Our tickets were amazing. We were in a section near the back, to the left of the stage, that didn't go as low as the rest of the sections. We were in row 9, which was front row for that section! It was far enough above the floor that our view wasn't blocked at all, far away enough we could watch the big screens, but close enough to the stage that we didn't have to. I loved the seats. I'm not sure I would have picked anything different if I'd had the choice. My neighbor, who won her seats, was in a closer section and in the first row, but I'm pretty sure my view was better.

And Miley puts on one incredible show.

The Jonas Brothers were the opening act. They were really great. Entertaining, fun, and energetic. I didn't know their songs very well, but I'd at least heard them. Most the girls (as it was mostly girls) there were screaming and singing along. They were a great match as an opening act.

Then Hannah Montana came out. I'd heard it was a pretty good show, but I was amazed. The sets, the costume changes, the dancing, the entire thing was pretty incredible. She really knows how to work the crowd, and she is a fantastic performer. She really sells Hannah. You really believe she could be that real person.

The Jonas Brothers came out to do another song with her, then performed a couple more while she went backstage to change into Miley. She is a completely different person, and performer, as Miley. But no less appealing. She really rocked that performance. Rachel and one of the neighbor girls spent the entire concert on their feet, dancing and cheering and clapping along.

It was a long, sleep deprived journey, but ultimately well worth everything it cost to get those tickets for Rachel. She had the time of her life. Her smile was as big as I've ever seen it. Start to finish, it was a wonderful night. For both of us.

Into the Woods

Last Wednesday (Yes, it's been 5 days. I've been busy!) I had the opportunity to go see Into the Woods with a couple good friends of mine at the 5th Avenue theater in Seattle. It was my first time at the 5th Ave. theater, and the tickets were more expensive than I'm used to paying, but it was well worth it.

We started the evening at Rock Bottom, a restaurant just across the street from the theater. It was so funny to me how many people came in, didn't like the wait time, and asked if the hostess knew of a place close by with no wait. Really? That's just silly... The food there was excellent. We all got very different things (lemon chicken for me, open face steak sandwich for Mel, and cheeseburger with onion rings for Deb), but we were all very happy with our choices. The service was fast and efficient, and we got out in plenty of time to get to the show. Overall I was very pleased.

But back to the show. The 5th Ave is a pretty interesting theater. It's ornate and beautiful, but rather Oriental in theme. Mel and I spent a few minutes talking about some of the oddities in the theater (are those peacocks or phoenixes?), but Deb seemed to think we were a bit crazy. We had excellent seats. First balcony, dead center, just a few rows back. The view of the stage was excellent. The cast was great and had me hooked from the very first song. The little girl who played Red Riding Hood was too cute for words. I don't want to ruin the show for anyone who hasn't seen it but wants to, so I'll just say the two princes made the show for me. I laughed more at them then at everything else combined.

Side note: why is it that the line for the womens bathroom can be around the block but there is never a line for the mens bathroom?

The funny thing about Into the Woods is that it could end after the first act. We hit intermission and Deb asked "Is that it?" At the end of the first act, everyone has their happy ending. But we get to come back for a second act where everyone finds their "happily ever after" isn't quite as happy as they thought it would be. Isn't that life? You finally get what you want then realize it isn't exactly what you'd hoped for. Funny how that works.

So Melody and Deborah, I had a fantastic time with you both! I'm so glad we're doing this more often. Can't wait for Neverending Story!!

Good Morning!

There's not a lot I like about fall in Washington. Mostly it's gray and rainy. I do like the variety of fresh, yummy apples that seem best in fall, but mostly I find myself thinking wistfully of the summer that just ended, or as is the case this year, the summer that never was.

But this morning I woke up to a site that took my breath away. It was supposed to be another day of gray clouds and off and on showers, and it was. But before the clouds took over, first thing this morning was one of the most magnificent sunrises I've ever seen. The entire main floor of my house was aglow with the vibrant pinks and oranges streaming in through the windows. I even rushed Rachel out of bed so she wouldn't miss it, knowing with her usual dawdling the colors would be faded by the time she normally got downstairs. For just a moment, before the dark clouds and needs and activities of the day overtook us, I had the opportunity to share a moment with my child oldest child, marvelling at the great beauty and majesty that comes when the Lord paints the clouds with the rising of the sun.

I'm just sorry I didn't think to take a picture.

Conference

I don't usually get to listen to General Conference on Saturdays. What a treat it's been today! I've loved every single talk, but especially Elder Holland's talk. (At least I think it was Elder Holland. I was folding laundry and didn't actually look up...) What a concise and beautiful lesson on the Godhead. There was such power behind his testimony. Is it just me or was there a huge emphasis on really knowing the basic and essential doctrine of the Church throughout both sessions? I'm definitely going to have to work harder at watching the Saturday sessions. I loved every moment of it!

I love Elder Eyring being put into the First Presidency!

What a week!

It has been so fabulous to have Mom and Dad here for the last week. It's been a nice mix of activity and hanging out at the house. We got to play games, go out to eat, ride a ferry boat, eat at Ivar's, go to the Glass Museum, see the Lake house and the Poulsbo house, and even do a bit of shopping. Of course the highlight of the week was Rachel's baptism on Saturday. I am so glad they were able to make it for that.

It's been a wonderful week, and I'm sorry to see them go!

I didn't get nearly enough pictures while they were here, but here are a couple I did get.

Rachel and Scott before her baptism.

Becca outside on the ferry. She almost got blown away!

Becca and Grandma in front of the little bridge at the lake house.

My arms aren't as long as Jenn's, but I think it's not a bad self portrait. :)