Christmas Pics 2010

Babysitting disaster and Andy Williams

One week before Christmas, we received a call from a good friend asking if we'd like to sing in a little back up choir for Andy Williams.  My first reaction, quite honestly, was "I know he's famous, but I have no idea off the top of my head who he is."  After telling my husband and mother, both thought I was nuts for even questioning the opportunity.  (He's most famous for "Moon River.")  I really didn't want to because I knew it would make the rest of the season stressful and not at all what I had been hoping for.  That being weight, we decided it was too great of an offer and we jumped in head first.  

After the first day of rehearsal with the real back-up singers, we talked and decided we were going to call and cancel.  It was just going to be too much time away from our family with no pay and lots of stress.  (We had Sunday and Monday to learn five songs....we were to perform Tuesday and Wednesday night.)  Just before making the call, Will's mother called him to let him know that they had bought tickets to see the show!  Well, there went our plans to drop out.  Now, we HAD to do it. 

Because I had been singing constantly for the big church Christmas concert the previous week, and then had to add to it, my voice started to go.  By Tuesday, I opted to not speak the entire day and use all the remedies I knew of.  I virtually had no understandable speaking voice, but was able to maintain a decent singing voice amazingly.  

We were very nervous, but super excited the first night.  We had practiced as much as possible and sounded dang good I must say.  We never did a full rehearsal on stage which left us a little panicked.  The staff were wonderful to us.  We had our own "green" room just like in the movies.  It had food and drinks stocked for our convenience, the iconic bulb mirror, and comfy couches with a big screen to see the show live as we waited.  Each night we were given vouchers for dinner and ate like kings.  (I know you're not supposed to stuff yourself before you sing, but I wanted to enjoy everything I could, so I was OVER stuffed both nights!)  It was a memory we'll never forget.  We got pictures with Andy after, but I have yet to receive them.

This is Debbie who had to transcribe all the music we sang.  She is not only beautiful but amazingly talented.

 This one is shows where my in-laws were sittin (in the mezzanine).  The whole theater was packed....and was quite large I might add, too.  =)

 When we got home the second night, our baby-sitter, Jena, who is the best in the world I must say, let us in on her night:  Ariel had a hole in her pillow and as she squeezed it to plop into bed, feathers went EVERYWHERE!  She took some pictures so we could see what her night was like.  We felt so bad for her!  This picture is AFTER she cleaned most of it!  Poor Jena, but I must say that the kids sure thought it was fun.

So, long story short is that our Christmas season was once again stressful and left a lot to be desired, but also created long lasting memories for Will and myself.  Next year, it's no commitments and total soaking up of everything around us.......or so that's what we think.