New York and New Jersey

A three show Pocahontas day is really nothing compared to a three Alice day. Especially when they are spread out throughout the day. So with a three Poca day, then a one Alice day (in the evening no doubt) in Sugar Loaf, NY, we were nearly on vacation. To top it off I had cousins and family come in, making this small town, cozy little theatre a nice retreat from the real world.

Lots of little brownies and girl scouts at all our shows in NY, must be badge season.  My cousins Rebecca and Emily came to the Pocahontas evening show and stuck around long enough to take a picture.

The next evening Emily came back with her mom-my aunt Cynthia, uncle Richie, and their friends Brian, Alison, and their son Shane.

Afterwards I got to hang out at Brian and Alison's lovely house just down the road from the theatre. Alison made an incredible home-cooked meal- pulled pork sliders, apple coleslaw, and homemade apple pie!! I was in heaven, eating to my hearts content and sipping wine with friends and family, fireplace and all.

The weather was so incredible in Union, NJ, we were all exclaiming what a shame we'd be trapped inside a dark theatre. We had some sound trouble our first day but the kids still enjoyed themselves immensely. It's funny how they are pretty resilient against technical difficulties. The next day was a complete turn around and the show went super well, sound system and all. AND...

We had the opportunity to go into Manhattan for the rest of the day on Monday!! I saw Kelli for a manicure, Davis' new bar/restaurant Carmine Club Cafe, Phil for coffee at City Bakery, dropped in at CAP before an audition to see Molly, Jenna, Mackenzie, Aimee, and a bunch of others, and Sam and Jason for dinner uptown at Hi Life. Then I joined up with the group just as my phone was dying and we trekked back to New Jersey. It was a packed day in NYC life (my legs were killing me the next day it's been so long since I walked everywhere) and I still didn't see everyone. But it certainly got me ready to head back to the city after the holidays.

Andy loves Apollo. Apollo loved his first trip to NYC.

A two tone (half coffee and half hot chocolate) with a homemade marshmallow from City Bakery. Yum yum yum!

Me, Samanthe, and baby Samuel. She's really pregnant. (There was a joke at the barn about Sam being pregnant because we've been wanting a little Burrow for a long time...I was so excited to finally see her belly showing)

Next day we headed upstate to Massena, right on the Canadian border. We were only there for about 16 hours between arrival, sleeping, an early morning show, and headed an hour south to our next destination: Ogdensburg. At this hotel we were right on the river, looking out on Canada on the other side!

That's it: Canada. Damian went swimming in that 50 degree river too. My phone jumps between saying "Bell" and "ROGERS" instead of AT&T at our hotel...pretty sure those aren't American servers.

First day in Ogdensburg was our closing Pocahontas'. It was so early in the morning it was a little anticlimactic. Big audiences though and as usual it went really well. Next day was our last two Alice shows, same early times (9:15 and 11...too early to rock). It's really strange to be done, feels like we've been at this for a year even though it's just been 2 months.

Pocahontas cast pic. That second Rooster would be Rodney's special brother...he's a backstage understudy. And I look like a hunchback.

Alice cast pic. Some kids that saw the first show took it for us in the hallway.

And now the big day: HEADING BACK HOME! We're off to Rochester for the night where Kelly and Damian already have tickets to see Harry Potter 7 Part 1 (I'm waiting til I get home). Then through Louisville, Kentucky, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and then San Antone! Its going to be a long three day home stretch, but I'm working on a big wrap up entry with some fun facts and awards.

See you back in Texas!