New York City!

Can you believe this is Central Park? Can you
believe I took this picture?
Jessica Elmer and I at Young Frankenstein!
Jackie, Cheri, Pam, Nicole and Jessica in front
of 2 of the billboards of shows we saw.

A early walk through the park with Nicole, Pam and Jackie.
The whole gang. Dinner at Bubba Gumps.

I just spent five fabulous days in New York City! Eight of us went to a Broadway Teachers Workshop where we learned much, ate much, played much and walked even more.



The workshop was incredible. It took place in the rehearsal rooms of the Hilton Theatre. I learned a dance from the dace captain of Young Frankenstein, and then watched her dance in the show. We met and learned from actors, composers, choreographers, music directors, writers, stage managers, casting directors from broadway shows such as Wicked, Legally Blonde, Rent, South Pacific, Spring Awakening, Grease, Phantom of the Opera and oh so much more. My favorites were composer Jason Robert Brown, Emma Hunton from Spring Awakening and Max Crumm who plays Danny in Grease. They all sang for us! I went home and downloaded Jason Robert Brown's song, "Someone to Fall Back On" it is soooo beautiful.



We saw five shows! Legally Blonde, Young Frankenstein, A Catered Affair, 39 Steps and South Pacific. They were all soooooo good. We also had the opportunity to go to the front the the theater after Young Frankenstein, a Catered Affair, and 39 Steps where we had a post show discussion with some of the actors, writers, managers, etc.. Harvey Fierstein was my favorite!



We had a backstage tour of the St. James Theatre with their stage manager and the stage manager of Phantom of the Opera. Very Interesting.



We also took in a few sights, went to the temple and spent a couple hours in Central Park, which isn't nearly enough!



It's great to be home. I missed my family, but after a few hours of bickering children, I was ready to go back!!!

CLEAR THE ROADS!

Braeden's wheels!!! 4th of July!!
Caroline and Tom lighting fireworks.
Collin was soooooo into the 4th!

It's official. He has a license to drive! Braeden passed the test on the first try, yesterday. When he asked if he could go to his friends house (which is a 20 minute round trip drive) I said YES!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!! He drove himself and Collin to scouts. I also sent him on a slurpee run! It's awesome! Although, when I get the first insurance bill, it won't be so exciting.

Happy Birthday Braeden!

"Muscle Beach" with friends in Carlsbad. March '08 Family trip to Park City, Utah '04.

Our excited family after Braeden's team won the State
Championship in Volleyball!

Learning to walk. Remember that cute blond hair?!!! Sledding with cousins Adrew (bottom), Taylor (middle), Braeden (middle), and Tyler (top). SWEET SIXTEEN

I can't believe Braeden is sixteen! He will be driving next week! That is if he can hold onto his license long enough. He's lost his permit once, along with his wallet and the money inside, and last night he lost the key to his car. Aaaahhh the joys of teenagers.

Watching Braeden grow has been an amazing ride these past sixteen years. I have always said that I'm thankful he was the first. He's a terrific big brother. He's helpful, kind, sensitive and he really doesn't torture his siblings. He has always looked out for everybody and I have stories, too numerous to tell, about his kindness (besides, he'll kill me). High school has been fun! He has amazing friends who have soooo much fun together and they are all great kids!

We wanted to have a big 16th birthday bash but we ended up doing Braeden's favorite things instead. Braeden loves the ocean so we took his friend Trevor and met Brig in Del Mar, California for a few days of play in the ocean. Tracy, Brigs mom, reserved the outdoor barbecue at their apartment, which is on the Pacific Coast Highway, and we had a birthday dinner and swim after an afternoon at the beach. The boys did some boogie boarding, skim boarding (no surfing this time), played a little volleyball, hung out and played their guitars. It was wonderful. Oh, and the temp never rose above 77 degrees. Sometimes I really hate Vegas!!!!

I kept leaving the camera in the car, so I'll have to get some pictures from Tracy. She got some great pictures of the kids, especially Caroline, who now loves boogie boarding. You could hear her squeals of delight each time she caught a wave! Sooooo cute!!!!

Anyway, Happy Birthday Braeden. We love you!!!!!!!!