THE Audra McDonald

Will and Audra (center) with of few of

our friends from the cast and audience)

Last Friday night we had the amazing opportunity to see Audra McDonald perform live in '110 in the Shade' at Hale Center Theater in Orem. What a treat. We actually went to see our good friend Will Swenson (Audra's boyfriend and he played opposite her), but are so glad we didn't miss the opportunity to see Audra. Hale is a very intimate little theater... only 7 or so rows, 'in the round' and there are no bad seats. Audra McDonald is a 4 time Tony Award Winner (one for the role she was playing in this show), 2 time Grammy Award Winner and she even has an Emmy Award. She is truly an amazing performer. I have been to broadway shows and seen many great performances, but in this setting, where you are so close, it was truly unforgettable. She is such an honest and beautiful actress. I was truly touched and inspired. And the rest of the cast was fabulous. I'm sure the idea of performing along side Audra brought out this all star cast... the ensemble was jam packed with performers you would usually see in starring roles. It was fun to see so many friends on stage together and they all did wonderful. Marvin Payne, Tim Threlfall, Jared Young, Korianne Johnson, Rachel Woodward, Kevin Geortzen, Lita Giddons... all were fabulous. We were sad to miss Emily Castleton, Hailey Smith and Melissa Lindsey who were in the other cast (they ensemble switches nights). I'm sure I forgot someone... but you were all wonderful. Then... there was the audience. The draw of Audra and Will brought out many old theater friends. It was a reunion all around and we saw people we haven't seen in many, many years... and some we see a lot too! Truly a memorable evening!! I wish I could do it again. If you live in Utah Valley and have a chance be sure to go see this show!! Audra and Will perform through this Saturday... you don't want to miss it!! But if you do, try to catch it after that... different leads but same show and sure to please.

To blog or not to blog?

THAT is the question.

When I first started my blog a few years ago I thought long and hard about wether or not to do it. I really liked the idea of having an instant way to share my pictures and stories of my family that is much easier and more accessible than scrapbooking. I'm not a great journal keeper but I could do this. I also like that it was a great way to keep extended family, especially grandparents, and far away friends in the loop. Another plus was that it is creative outlet for me because it is so hard to spend hours scrapbooking with little kids around. So, why not, it all sounds great, right?

Well, the drawback for me was that I didn't really want one more thing to be "behind on". One more thing to feel guilty about. One more obligation.

That's how I have felt the past year while I have gotten more and more behind.

Why can't I have a blog and just post when I feel like and what I feel like?

Because I am slightly OCD. For reals. It runs in the family. It's not so bad that I can't leave the house, but it is bad enough to make a simple thing like a blog challenging. You see, I have this need to post chronologically and to not miss any events. There is one event from 2 summers ago that I skipped and meant to go back to that still floats around in the back of my head. There is a cute video of my kids skiing I've been meaning to add to the skiing post for a year in a half that I have written on my to do list every week... for the last 18 months. I have a list of about 5 tags that I feel guilty about not responding to. I also need to send my gifts and post about my pay it forward thing that is waaaay overdue. It's like I can't post anything new unless I go back and do all the post that I missed.

I have friends with brilliant blogs that are completely random, often with pictures that don't match the post, that are heartwarming, funny, entertaining and perfect. I often wonder why I can't blog like that. Mostly because there is so much freedom in them, but also because they are so honest in their writing. They preserve thoughts, feelings, true stories, emotions. My blog has been more of a travelog... "this is where we went" "this is what we did"... blah, blah, blah.

So, in answer to the question, I have decided TO BLOG. I am not going to set any unreachable goal about getting "caught up" (although it literally makes me sick to my stomach to think of all the fun things that may never make it to the blog), I am just going to start. I am going to try to write more freely about who we are, how we feel and our relationships with each other and less about where we go and what we do (although that will still be here, I'm sure). And, of course, lots of pictures. I'll try to get to a few of the big things I missed if and when I feel like it... no pressure. Right?

So there you have it. I've missed my blog and have enjoyed staying caught up on all of yours. I'm excited to have this outlet again and hope you will all follow along and leave me some comment love =)

(PS. When Max saw that I was posting he said I should apologize to you all for not blogging for an entire year... funny!)

Syd Riggs Scholarship Showcase

Every year Chris and I participate in this wonderful event to raise money for the Syd Riggs Scholarship. Syd was a dear friend and mentor to both of us. I've included the entire media release below, so I won't bore you with details here, but Chris will be playing the part of Jean Valjean in the 'Les Miserable' section as well as Archibald in 'The Secret Garden'. I am doing tap dancing in a piece from 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. We are also both in the opener and closer, which are both going to rock... literally. It's sure to be a great show and is shaping up to be even better than last year. If you want to come hurry and get tickets as it will sell out. Hope to see you there!

Media Release:

Wicked, Les Miserables, Rent, West Side Story, The Secret Garden, Lion King, Fiddler on the Roof…A showcase of popular musical theater featuring some of Utah’s finest talent! Hosted by award winning recording artist, Jenny Jordan Frogley.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!
Saturday, February 6th
Two performances-6:00 and 8:30
Orem High School, Elison Auditorium (175 S. 400 E. Orem) Arrive early for parking!
$10.00 general admission, $15.00 reserved-All proceeds will go to the Syd Riggs Scholarship. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone through the Orem High School financial office 801-227-8765 ext 252

The cast includes more than 100 of Utah’s finest performers, most former students and friends of Riggs, who are all donating their time and talents. Professional credits include: film, television, Broadway, national and international tours, commercial and print, recording, dance companies, cruise ship and theme park entertainment. The performance will also feature a performance by current Orem High School theater students.

This year’s show will also be a tribute and farewell to the Elison Auditorium as the reconstruction of the high school will be complete this coming spring.

Syds Riggs passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2005. Thousands in Utah and beyond have seen and enjoyed her shows. Riggs worked on shows for Hale Center Theater, Sundance Summer Theater, Provo Theater Company, Thanksgiving Point, The Playmill Theater, Promised Valley Playhouse, Backstage Theater, SCERA Center for the Arts, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and Orem High School to name a few. She directed hundreds of plays and musicals in her career and was a beloved teacher at Orem High School for more than 15 years.

Merry Christmas

For those of you I don't have address' for... here is what we're sending out this year:

and the letter that will accompany it:

The past couple of years our annual family letter has been dwindling... and this will probably be the last. Don’t worry, you’ll still get a card, but it has become increasingly difficult to condense our year into one simple letter. I’m sure you will all miss Chris’ thoughtful letters, I know I will. But, we are grateful for new technology that allows us to keep in touch with our friends and family all year long. If you haven’t already, come find us on facebook, follow our family blog (www.thehigbees.blogspot.com -and please let us know if you have one), Chris is even on twitter, and there is always good old email (cohigbee@gmail.com, kthigbee@yahoo.com) or even snail mail! We hope to hear from ALL of you!!

So, for the final edition of our annual epistle here is what’s going on in a nutshell:

Chris started a new job with HireVue as the VP of Marketing in March and is lucky to be able to work from home. He continues to love all things outdoors, going to sporting events, movie nights and performing when he can (he just produced and performed in an awesome Christmas Concert for a corporate event). He was an awesome Cub Master for the past couple years and just recently started working with the 16-18 year old Young Men in our church.

I am busy with your basic mom stuff... lots of housework and driving... it seems to never end. But I also find great joy serving on our city’s civic events committee, serving as our church music chairman, and was recently asked to be a cultural arts specialist for our area. I am most excited about turning my passion for photography into a business and really hope to spend more time on that this coming year. I really love being with my kids and having the opportunity to enjoy them as they grow.

Cassidy is back in school at UVU and just had a very successful semester. She has developed a love of Interior Design and thinks that might be the major for her. She is still working at DownEast and just got a new (to her) VW Beetle... so cute! She also nannies quite a bit for families in our neighborhood. She is a VERY busy girl. Cass continues to be the life of the party and is so fun to have in our home.

Max turned 12 this year and is in Jr High! He is doing great and enjoying all the things that come with it (cell phone, a little more freedom, pimples and squeaky voice). You wouldn’t believe how much he has grown!! We can hardly keep him in shoes and pants that fit and hope his growing doesn’t blow our budget for the coming year. He also plays the piano, cello and guitar and participates in Boy Scouts. He started club soccer this year with his Dad as the coach. It was quite challenging, but he really grew a lot and we are now looking forward to the spring season.

Abby is in the 3rd grade accelerated learning class at school and loving(?) the challenge. She really loves taekwondo and is doing quite well. She also takes dance and performed in 2 recitals... she even did a tap solo! She loves to sing and always has something coming out of her mouth... lucky for us she is actually quite good. She also loves poetry and art and earned an honorable mention in the reflections contest at
school. She is becoming quite a lady and trying really hard to be responsible. She was also baptized this year and we are so proud of her decision.

Afton is still a light in our home (despite the picture... it was very cold). She is always happy and cheerful and loves everyone wholeheartedly. She started preschool in the fall and LOVES it. She is learning so much, I am continually amazed at what she can spell and the concepts she comes home with. She has a very detailed imagination and is a joy to play with. She loves her little brother and is a great helper with him. She is also the child that always offers to help me fold laundry, clean toilets, do dishes, make dinner, you name it (I am really hoping this quality sticks around). I can’t believe how quickly she is growing!

Cole is truly our little monkey. He climbs everything can get out of anything and never stops. Ever. It is quite exhausting to be his mother, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Someone has to be with him constantly! But, he is so fun to be around and keeps us laughing... we’re convinced he will be the “class clown.” In spite of the challenges of his busy-ness, he is a very consistent little guy as far as naps and bedtime goes, which is awesome! He adores his older siblings and wants to do whatever they do. He also has quite the vocabulary and even signs a little. I am so excited to watch him grow this next year.

We have had a lot of great adventures as a family this year... Las Vegas for Spring Break, a beach house in Ventura in August, a couple family weddings, new schools, new jobs, and holidays spent with loved ones. We are grateful for family and friends like you who enrich our lives. We feel very blessed. We hope this finds you all healthy and happy and loving the life you are living.

Much Love,
The Higbee Family
Chris, Katie, Cassidy, Max, Abby, Afton, and Cole

Happy Holidays!!

We wish you all the very best!

Blog? What Blog?