los angeles

the pantages theatre in hollywood.  most fantastic theatre i've ever been in!!  unbelievable detail in that place.  i would've taken more pictures if they had let us.  it was spectacular. 

the stage.  wicked is the best.  i don't know how anyone doesn't love it. 

the ceiling in the theatre.  i know- horrible pictures.  i've only had my iphone for a week, so i'm still getting used to it. 

the lobby of the theatre.  i should have just taken pictures of the walls and stuff.

very poor picture of june and i.  but it's the only one i have. 

very undeserving

june and i went to see wicked.  we drove to los angeles with some friends and saw the show last thursday night at the breath-taking pantages theatre in hollywood.  we had a good time, but i was anxious to get home to my boys. 

when we got home saturday night, the house was empty.  june and i thought everyone was gone.  i opened my bedroom door to bring my stuff in and i was welcomed by all the boys and will.  they were hiding with cameras and surprised me with a complete bedroom make-over. 

i don't know how he did it, but in the few days i was gone in california, he managed to work magic and totally create a new bedroom for us.  he is the best.  i felt guilt- big time.  while i was gone playing, he was here working himself to death to give me something he thought i'd love.  and i did.  i love it.  and him.  he is an incredible man!  and i'm incredibly lucky. 

a before and after is always better, but this is the best before shot we have:

halloween for the little ones

clayton was the mad hatter- from last year.  i was just glad to get more use out of it.  :)

his make-up was better in person.  really. 

quincey was mario.  a very over-priced mario. 

and linc wanted to be russell from UP.  the clothes were right- but linc just isn't round enough. 

tears

today my best friend's son goes into the mtc.  they drop him off at 12:40 p.m.  we went by last night to say our final farewell.  it was hard for me.  watching the whole scene in their living room and seeing their whole family together, packing him for the next two years... i couldn't stay long.  my emotions are all over the place these days.  lisa is so strong and she was smiling and focused.  i was ready to burst into tears at any time- so i thought it best to leave quickly.  i've sat and had long conversations with her about being ready for him to leave.  she's not.  she's doing a really good job of holding it together, but i know she's struggling pretty bad.  i don't envy her day today. 

my other best friend is sending her son off four days before christmas.  (ironically, to the exact same mission.)  we went through the temple with them on saturday.  ben is like another son to me.  he has spent a lot of time in our home.  he's been preston's best friend for the past 3 years.  i've known him since he was 13.  i warned his parents for the past couple of months that they were taking a risk asking me to be at the temple.  i knew my emotions would be totally out of control.  and they were.  i told jen that apparently my job was to make her look good. 

this next stage in life is killing me.  i am struggling with this much more than i ever expected.  i've been praying to find peace with all of this, and to welcome the changes that are coming.  not to mention, to figure out what is next for me personally.  my kids are growing up, now what do i do with me?

this was ben opening his call back in september.  resistancia, argentina.  preston broke down and lost it that night.  it was the first time it all felt extremely real to him. 



astoria trip

multnomah falls, after 14 hours in the car.

the sweet lady who took our picture dropped my camera on the concrete right before she took it.  :)  i was amazed it still worked. 

the guys at the top of the astoria column.  awesome view of the columbia, washington, and oregon from up there.

our trip to costco for essentials.  kind of scary.

i think we've been here four times in the last three years.  probably enough?

thrilling trolley ride.

tillamook cheese factory. 

cannon beach.  LOVE this place.  but it was seriously cold that day.

lewis and clark settlement.  very cool museum.

north head lighthouse.  probably my favorite spot along the west coast.  the picture doesn't even come close.  it's amazing!  wuthering heights-ish.  watching the waves crash into the rocks- amazing!

dream

will's wanted to become scuba certified ever since i've known him.  i've never really

understood the obsession- but that doesn't matter.  so finally, 28 hours worth of classes paid off

and it's official.  doesn't he look happy? 

time to relax

the month of october was intense at our home.  i don't like running around, having so much to do, day after day.  my favorite days are the ones where i have nowhere to go, nothing pressing to do, and i can just do regular chores around the house and not feel rushed or stressed about anything.  today is one of those days!!!  and i'm feeling so good about it. 

october was filled with good things- but so many of them!  will and i went to the oregon coast for a week.  when we came home it was time to get serious about our halloween parties that we throw every year.  they are a ridiculous amount of work.  we're thinking of taking next year off.  we had marte come stay with us for 10 days.  (another exchange student from norway that attends herriman high.)  and everyday preston and spencer spend at least 3 hours after school at rehearsal for the musical that is coming up this month.  preston is really feeling it the worst.  he is trying to get his college applications filled out, spend all of his time at play practice, work at his job, keep up with his current classes, and somehow have a social life.  he is struggling!  and honestly- i struggle watching him do it. 

november brings more good things.  will has to travel, a LOT.  he goes to new york, ohio, and boise several times.  the boys have their play performances.  we'll go to phoenix for thanksgiving.  it's will's birthday.  it will be a good month. 

june really likes the teletubbies and wanted to be them with the boys.  preston was so against it, but he eventually caved and gave in to her.  what a good host brother! 

marte, june and jenny.  all from norway attending herriman high.  they are good friends.

we think we had about 55 kids here that night.  it was absolute chaos.  but they had fun.