The end, the beginning, and everything in between.

Just thought I would do a quick update because yet another {two} weeks have come and gone.
Time is flying.

The CVHS musical has come to an end. Phew! We survived.
I did this to Mauri's hair EVERY DAY.

I was so impressed with the whole show.

AMAZING talent. Great set. Great costumes. Excellent music.

{Tuesday - Opening night}

Being the budget-conscious mama I am, I bought a beautiful bouquet of mixed roses from Costco, then split them up to cover the performances I attended. I made them really cute (kraft paper and jute one night, ribbon and cellophane another...) and 2 dozen roses go a long, long way. {wink} RIGHT, TAYLOR?? haha

{Thursday night}

(Mauri is on the right near the top of the stairs...white shirt, black shawl, gold skirt)

I was seated in different areas of the theater the three nights I attended the play.

In the middle the first night, the back right the second night, the front left on Friday night (my last night attending). Each seat was great, and it was fun to get a different vantage point each time. In the back I loved how the full cast numbers were so loud and impressive. In the front it was fun to see the facial expressions and acting skills of the performers, but the big group numbers weren't quite as impactful. Overall, it was amazing. I loved it. I could have gone to every performance and still enjoyed it.

Thursday evening, Robyn, Kade, and Cole came, along with my friend Marci.

It's fun to finally have some family nearby, and I am so grateful that these wonderful people took the time to come support Mar!

{Friday night}

(Mar is second from the right... in case you didn't recognize her in costume. She's not yawning or burping... just blowing a kiss haha)

(Back in her position on the stairs)

On Friday, the Weeds came to see the play.

Again, it meant a lot to Mar (and me!) that they would take the time out of their busy schedules to come see it. I love these people!

{Saturday night}

Tay, Nae, and Bill got to see the final performance. Tay and Nae had just rolled in from their long day-and-a-night packing, and a full day of travel. They said the play was awesome. It took extra effort for them to get to CO in time to see it, and I know they were probably wiped out, but I am so grateful they were able to make it! Welcome to a new beginning in Colorado, peeps!

And the cast was finally allowed out in the foyer in costume after the show. Hip hip hooray!

I got to chill with my lovely Evie that night. She did great for the first 45 minutes or so, then she realized she was in a strange place, with a strange woman, and she couldn't find her mama and papa. After several attempts at entertainment, I resorted to wrapping her in her blankie, taking her out on the front porch with the lights off, and gliding away until she drifted off to dreamland. Such precious time! Did I think to snap a few pics?? I did not. Bummer.

{Sunday}
Mar's flowers from closing night. It has been really fun to have all of these beautiful flowers brightening up the kitchen this week.

(Mar is in the center in the gray striped shirt)

Grandpa remembered to snap a pic with Evie. Good job, Little Billy!

{Monday}
I got these mailed off.

That was a whole lot o' work, but it was very satisfying to get it done. I have to thank Taylor for helping me organize the list, sort it, alphabetize it... it was so appreciated by this Excel-illiterate mamita. I had run out of envelopes, so once my order for more arrived on Tuesday, I addressed a few more, then packaged up the invites, pictures, and envelopes for Kody's mom, and took yet another trip to the Castle Rock US Post Office. It's fairly new to me, and the three times I've gone, I've reminisced about my very familiar Parker US Post Office. Most of the people that worked there had been there the bulk of our 15 years in Parker. Let it be known that the Castle Rock Post Office has not disappointed. The people there have been wonderfully nice, conversational, and smiley... not necessarily the traits of my old friends with familiar faces at the Parker office haha. 

{already Thursday again}

Last night Taylor cooked us up some steaks. He had watched a youtube video, had defrosted some almost-freezer-burned steaks he had found in our freezer, and put his skills to the test. He did an amazing job.

Okay, Tay, you can stay. {wink}

We've had to make a few adjustments along the way this week as we've tried to get Tay, Nae, and Evie settled, as well as trying to clean up the construction mess and move stuff into the basement. There are still a few things that need to be finished up (I'm dreading the paint touch up!!!), but it's very close. Things won't be as perfectly placed and in order as I would have liked for this upcoming holiday week, but I still can't wait until the gang's all here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The longest week. Ever.

This past week was a doozie.

Lonnnnnnng. And hard.

That's not to say there weren't some really amazing things going on, too.

I think I'll share THOSE {wink}.

 Our ward's Trunk-or-treat was a little over a week ago (Oct28)

Mar had play practice all day, so, as a dutiful momma, I ran around and purchased supplies for fishing poles and the fishing pond she was in charge of making assignments for, setting up, and running.

Our Trunk-or-treat started at 4pm (seemed a little weird to start that early, but, hey, we're new here), and Mar arrived at home after play practice around... 3:30? She still had to get into her costume, do her make-up, then do Gavin's make-up. Needless to say, they arrived at the event a good hour late, just in time to hand out candy. It was a very low-key activity compared to my past Trunk-or-treat experiences. I was told that our ward has foregone this particular fall activity the prior two years, so maybe it was a bit new to everyone. I liked how they set up the cars... so the kids stayed on the sidewalk (...never even thought of that before... so smart!), and it was kinda nice to have daylight to enjoy the costumes, although I love a good Trunk-or-treat in the dark... it makes the lights we've used FOR YEARS to decorate our trunk much more... visible haha.

Another {somewhat} new family to the ward, also down-sizers (with no children currently at home), set up this amazing car display. Gotta love that intensity.

I really would like one of those giant rubber rats, tho.

Once we got home, I snapped a few more pics of Mar and Gavin.

Such a perfect couple costume, right?

 (I think Mar was thoroughly enjoying the scenario haha.)

On Sunday Bill requested a belly shot of Lex, and she sent him this.

 We are getting so so excited to meet Baby Boy Paull 

(possibly on our 30th wedding anniversary... how cool would that be?).

In Parker, high school kids were not allowed to dress up on Halloween, but we're not in Parker anymore. None of the boys in my seminary class dressed up, but all the girls did. I had to snap a quick pic of them on their way out the door Tuesday.

 I love these amazing and beautiful young women!

 This is what Mar convinced Gavin to wear to school on Tuesday. He must really really like her.

I have no comment {hahaha}.

I finally got my Halloween decor put away, and made a brief attempt at decorating for Thanksgiving.

 Yep, those pinecone garlands are about it. 

I might find a printable on Pinterest to put somewhere... and I've thought about doing a thankful tree like I did back here, but it will just depend on how much creativity and energy I can muster. I'm super excited that EVERYONE WILL BE HERE for Thanksgiving! We (Bill, Mar, and I) discussed if we should get our Christmas decorations up before everyone shows up, but decided that we have limited room as it is... no need to add a Christmas tree or two, and a bunch of other unnecessary (however delightful) space-sucking decor. 

I'd much rather fill my space with people. 

And food. Lots and lots of food.

Billy-my-hero has been working like a madman on the basement.

 He finished up the bathtub tile...

...then tiled the backsplash.

 We got countertops on Friday, and the sinks, toilet, and faucets were hooked up today.

And hallelujah, we have lights with actual switches as of today as well.

Bill tiled the wet bar, painted trim, and hung doors on Saturday.

This tiny door is exclusively for my little lovelies.  I think Scarlett will find the most enjoyment out of it this year, but Evie is not far away (and Ellis and Baby P will grow much too fast, too). 

Speaking of Evie... she'll be living with us in a short 5 days. 

Holy moly. I got stuff to get done.

And that cool little play place now has light. Light is good.

I'm going to start filling that bookshelf... today, I think.

Andddd, here's the wet bar, minus mini fridge. I think Bill will be grouting all the tile tonight, and I'm pretty sure he's planning on my help. Good thing there is no school (and thus no seminary) tomorrow.

Carpet will be installed on Wednesday.

Tomorrow I will most likely be mopping that disgusting cement floor in preparation.

In between all this jazz, last week was Tech Week for the play, which meant Mar was at the school until 8:30/9 every night. I helped with 3 meals for the cast and crew... I think there around 150 kids involved. It's been an exhausting week!

But this week will be awesome.

Opening night for Les Mis is tomorrow... I can't wait.

They will be performing the show 7 times this week (counting one performance today during school, but not counting the dress rehearsal after school). The show is completely sold out every night, as well as the Saturday matinee.

We'll be attending Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening.
Sooooo exciting.
Break a leg, Mar!