April 26, 2009
Dear Family,
May is coming this week, and we saw some snow flurries today! Still, with all the fun we’ve been having lately, even snow can’t make me complain!
A major highlight was going to Wicked a couple of weeks ago, and we nearly flipped when we found out we could go backstage w/ the Madsen’s brother, in the cast, beforehand. It was SO thrilling, SOOO well done, and just wonderful to be able to finally go. I was so happy for every minute—I didn’t even dare go to the bathroom (w/ neverending lines!) for fear I might miss a second. Seeing the details of the sets, costumes, and scenery made it even more amazing, to realize how well coordinated SOO many details are. I was afraid to blink, for fear of missing any detail, and our seats were just perfect right in the middle of Row H. It was quite a fun splurge and we really had a blast, and the children were supportive so long as they had their favorite babysitter here. She (McKenzie) is the best. Now that we can actually afford to pay a babysitter, she comes along, not charging for temple trips, and trying to return money the next day when she thinks I’ve overpaid her. She brings tons of games and prizes for the kids every time, and when I ask how things went while we were gone, she always answers like I’m asking her about her favorite birthday party! ("Oh, it was so fun!—we had a great time!").
That same weekend, we by chance, found a great deal on leather couches on clearance as a full set—just the style we like, and almost half price due to the company discontinuing a lot of their furniture lines. Brian called his brother to help him pick them up, and I spent the rest of the week sewing pillows and curtains before we hosted Bookclub, and then a ward Progressive Dinner the last couple of days. We’re really enjoying them, and feel SOOOOO spoiled w/ our VERY FIRST FURNITURE PURCHASE!!!! (not including my DI treasures, of course!)
We’ve also been inundated w/ programs this week—first the school’s 30th Birthday program, and then the Stake Talent show, in which we all, but Anne, performed. Nick even showed up in time to watch all of our talent. I somehow ended up on the front row for the stake chorale, just because I turned up for stake choir practice. We did the finale medley from Music Man which may’ve been really cute w/ some real practice, accompanied by the stake band, that Brian got to help w/ on the piano. The best number of the night though, was the stake pres.& high council doing "synchronized swimming" onstage (check youtube for imitations, if you’re curious). It was hysterical. Saturday night, we hosted a couple of rounds for our ward Progressive Dinner, and Nick tagged along to the church for dessert w/ us—he’s getting to know our ward pretty well by now.J The bulk of the day Saturday, Brian read through the Square Food Gardening book, and we then went out to get all of our supplies to do 4 squares for our yard. We’re excited for this almost guaranteed success! (we hope!).
Even with snow flurries, we’re enjoying the mostly spring weather and the windows opened most days. The children are doing great: Brent’s getting more and more assertive at soccer, and plays goalie for at least half of every game; Maddie’s just started the Anne books J (!!), and is finally having a birthday party this year w/ a few of her closest friends (none of which happen to be in our ward!)—we’re decorating flipflops!!; Emily’s reading Charlotte’s Web when she’s not talking; Spencer is the current champion of "spin the dice" (just what it sounds like), and happily, since he wants nothing but to play games ALL day!! ("Magician Ratslap"—Egyptian Ratslap; Great Malbooty (dalmuti); Ruckus; Sorry; etc., etc.—and he MOANS when everyone has homework or jobs to keep them from playing w/ him!); and Anne’s leprous looking legs (and hands) are finally clearing up from her eczema. After trying lots of soapless showers and baths followed by a vaseline/Eucerin coating, rubberbanding her sleeves and pj legs at bedtime to prevent scratching, keeping the humidifier on, and rigorous nailclipping, I finally broke down and filled her topical steroid Rx since nothing was having much effect. We’re hoping the warm weather adds to our efforts as well. Brian now gets home from work, and has the kids all playing games with him before dinner as he winds down. I think he’s tickled to have so many active participants that are ALWAYS excited to play! He’s still doing well with work—the firm is holding "firm" J despite surrounding turmoil, so we are counting our MANY blessings, and really enjoying this abundant stage. Have a great week! Love, The Duncan’s

 

Brian tried to take a picture of us himself, just as I was talking to some friendly people who offered to help--that grin never shrunk the whole night :)

and here's the shot someone else took--goodbye to Brian's double chin--the glare is exactly where the Wicked sign is--I wish we'd gotten a shot w/ Bryan (castmember) too, but we were focused most on seeing the show--they didn't allow pic's backstage

Here I am; besides getting to dress almost like Anne of Green Gables, I tried hiding behind the curtain most of the night (it was right there!) since I missed one of the practices, and was therefore behind on half of the "choreography"--see me looking at everyone else to figure it out?

Kids in talent show: Spencer is 2nd from rt in green, and Emily's 3 more over in a coral/pink; Maddie and Brent were behind and harder to spot

Brent in his soccer game

Here's a front view of the couches right after we got them

and here's the completed living room (desk off to the side there w/ our new flat screen for the computer--a nice freebie from work)--the curtains and pillows are much cuter up close even though the kids kept asking me, "Why did you make the pillows all different???)

Our baby has hair long enough for pigtails!!(barely)

Here's a shot of the completed sheep nursery--Anne loves to have her stories in the rocking chair before bed, and will sometimes sit in her crib just looking at them "Buhduhbuhduhbuhduh"-ing after she wakes up

A sunset out our back window--we were having fun w/ the new camera

Brian's "magic trick" w/ the new camera :)