The Nutcracker Movie

Chuck, Beth and I went to see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Sharaya had seen it and loved it but I was skeptical. (You know me!) From the trailers I'd seen it looked like a horror movie so I was a little nervous, but turns out, it's not a horror movie at all and it's really good! A lot of action scenes, a twist, amazing costumes and a lot of beautiful snow!

Chuck had to go to the other side to get his coffee so Beth got her root beer while we waited for him. (She loves those soda machines where you get to fix your own!) 

We got there early and basically had the entire theater to ourselves. A few people showed up right before the movie started but there were only about 15 of us total. We decided we needed to go to the movies on a Friday afternoon more often!

I hope you're having a fun holiday season!

Annie! An Evening Downtown

Sharaya texted me a few weeks ago and said she had two extra tickets to go see Annie at the 5th Avenue Theater in downtown Seattle, and did Beth and I want to go? Yes please!!

Beth and I rarely go more than a few miles from home so this was so much fun to walk a little downtown and see all the lights and feel the energy of Seattle in December. Okay, so it was actually November 24th, but you know what I mean!

We only had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes before they let us in to the theater. After we sat down I tried to take a group selfie. I think I'm getting better at it! 😁

We lip synced and swayed in our seats and jammed along with all the songs:

"...So maybe now it's time and maybe when I wake,
they'll be there calling me baby, maybe!"

"It's a hard-knock life, for us! It's a hard knock life, for us! 'Stead of treated, we get tricked!"

"Hey hobo-man! Hey dapper Dan! You've both got your style.          But brother you're never fully dressed without a smile!"

And at the finale when the whole cast was on stage singing, Beth began to belt it out, "The sun'll come out, tomorrow!! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!!" I'm sure everyone around us could hear her!

But we had a fantastic time!! Thank you Sharaya for inviting us!

July

Diana sent me a text today, "It's been 13 days." That was it! I was at work and I'm thinking, 'Thirteen days? What's been 13 days?'

"Your last blog post."

Oh! Hahaha! Yeah it's been a while, sorry!

Our church had it's VBA a couple weeks ago and I took Allie every day. Sharaya would drop her off at our house early in the morning and we'd head to church. I also volunteered to help with registration so we were there early to help. They raised money to buy a bus for an orphanage we sponsor in India and the girls brought in the most money so the girl leaders got to pour red powder (like you'd see at a 'color run' marathon) on the guy leaders. It was a very successful and fun week!

Allie

 

Everyone was covered!!! 

(Thanks Ryan for taking this picture!)

Early in the morning this last Friday (oh my gosh, it was a week ago!) I flew to San Diego to see my dad and sister. My dad is 93, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's and is really slowing down. 

At this point, every visit could be my last.  

My sister is his sole caregiver and I tried to give her some time away. She went out for a couple hours on Friday and I got up with my dad during the night on Saturday. I was so sleep deprived by the time I left, I don't know how she does it. My sister is a saint.

 

While I was gone, Sharaya took Beth to a play of Shrek The Musical at a local theater. A year or so ago, Beth watched it on TV every day for months and she was SO excited about seeing it live! Both her and Sharaya said they loved it!

There's more that's been happening but I'll write about that another day. I hope you all are doing well.