The tale of 8 adults, 2 children, and one tiny flat!

A few weeks ago we had a visit from our friends Tasha and Jen and their 4 friends. They were backpacking through Europe, staying in Hostels and such for several weeks and we were their very last stop.  It was so fun to have them here. I had briefly met Cathy a few times and had heard stories of Sousa, Chase, and Brittany so it was like we were already friends when they got here.

They came on Friday, the 13th of July in the morning. Since there was 6 of them, we had the boys sleep on the floor in our room and we had them spread out in the second bedroom and the living room. I felt so bad that some of them had to sleep on the floor, but I think after hostels, having a clean floor to sleep on isn't such a bad thing. =)

We found out rather quickly that they like Indian Food, so we had fun showing them our local Take away. We also had them try Irn Bru, a very popular soft drink over here, that they all loved. (I think they had more Irn Bru then anything else.) 

Steven's show opened that night, so Chase and Sousa stayed and watched Gavin for me so that I could go with Rhys, Tasha, Jen, Cathy, and Brittany to see the show. It was the first time in a LONG time that I wasn't as stressed about  getting home quickly since they were staying with us. Normally I feel so bad for our babysitter that I try and cut the evening as short as possible. It was refreshing to get to just enjoy being out.

Saturday Steven got to take the group to see the Cathedral and Necropolis. Gavin was napping, so we stayed behind. I hear they really liked it. Steven also took them to see George Square, and we found out that  they were smack in the middle of their Gay pride celebrations. Steven said there were people everywhere, food, music... it was quite the party. So, I guess they got to experience a lot of true Glasgow! 

Steven also tried to show them the School, but of course it was closed for Summer. Luckily, at that point I was able to take the boys into Glasgow for us to meet everyone for dinner. There's a Chippy right by the School that we like to go to, so we went there. Its called Jack McPhee's and its definitely one of the places that we're going to miss. 

Sunday started out stressful for me. Steven had a special performance of As you like it. Someone had hired them to come and perform it, so he was gone for most of the day. Then I was also teaching Relief Society which can be stressful by itself. Jen, Tasha, Cathy, and Sousa all came to church with me so it was nice to have bodies to help with the boys. They were also very helpful in participating in my lesson so it went nice and smoothly. That afternoon I made everyone Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties for dinner. We wanted to make sure they got a taste of some traditional Scottish cuisine.I think they all liked it pretty well. But, I think my favorite part of the trip was that evening. We all sat around talking, sharing memories, and it was just really fun. I had forgotten how much I enjoy having people over and just having fun. We used to have our friends over all the time in Cedar, and even though we've done it a few times here, its just not that common. So it was refreshing, but it also made me a little homesick. In a good way, I think.

They left on Monday evening, but before they could go we wanted them to get to see a Castle since they hadn't gotten a whole lot of Castle experience in their few weeks of traveling. We took them to Crookston Castle, since its so close to us. It was raining when we first set off, but it stopped and turned quite nice outside as we were there. I think Gavin enjoyed it the most, since I let him just wander wherever he wanted to go. I had his leash on him, but I was giving him free reign. It was cute to see how much he loved wandering around the grounds and climbing in the Castle. Hopefully there will be another really nice day, and when we're bored we can take the boys again so they can keep exploring.

I never thought we could fit 10 bodies into our flat and have it work, but it really did. It was a fun trip and we're so glad that they were able to fit us into their schedule. We're even more excited to have new friends from it! =)

As you like it

This past month has been so busy for Steven, but I think he has loved every minute of it. A few months ago he auditioned for a part in "As you like it," a play that was being put on by a Shakespeare company here called Bard in the Botanics. The company performs a few shows every summer that they perform in the Botanical Gardens here in Glasgow. The Company had asked the students in the program with Steven to audition because they were in need of a few interns. They were requesting 2 guys and a girl. Steven had felt he had a chance with one of the parts so he was really excited about it.

Well, it turns out he did get caste, but NOT in one of the 2 parts they were originally auditioning for. They told him that even though he wasn't quite right for the parts they were looking for, they LOVED his audition and really wanted to work with him. So, they rearranged their cast a bit to make room for him. He was cast as William and First Lord. Steven was so excited! Not only will this be great professional experience, but they loved him enough to cast him anyway. That is always a GREAT thing!

The other exciting thing about this particular show is it moved around the Garden. There were 4 seperate areas that they performed in, so the audience would actually get up and move. Steven had always heard of shows doing that, so he was excited to get to participate in one.

So, anyway, they rehearsed for a few weeks and then opened the show on Friday, the 13th of July. It was tricky because they performed it outside, so if it was raining too hard they had to close the show for the night. (Luckily they only had to do that a few times) Most of the time the Cast and audience just endured a little rain. Steven was lucky while they were rehearsing because they were on "Summer Holiday" from their course,  but once the show opened Steven had to start up again. So, the almost 3 weeks of performances he was gone all day. He would leave at 8:30 to go to classes, stay there until 5, have time to eat and make it over to the Gardens to have their performance, and then make it home about 11:30 at night. It was quite draining, and I'm sure that's the only reason he's glad that the show has ended. Plus, its good for Rhys and Gavin to get to see more of Steven now. Once a week I would take the boys into Glasgow and we'd meet Steven for lunch so they could have a little Steven time.. but I know that it wasn't much. 

Rhys had known about the show for a few weeks since Steven was always going to rehearsals, so he asked me if he'd get to go see it. We figured that since he's 6 now, and that's usually the age where kids can start being allowed to go, I would take him with me. We were lucky and had friends visiting us the week it opened so I was able to take Rhys to the opening night performance while our friends watched Gavin. Rhys was so cute watching the show. There were some moments he was laughing hysterically, (There was a wrestling scene, and he just thought it was hilarious) and everyone in the audience could hear him. Steven said he loved hearing him laugh, so I guess it was a good thing. There was also a point in the show where Rhys turned to me and said "Daddy is so funny." Which of course just melted my heart. I had brought a few things to keep him entertained in case he got bored, but he didn't end up needing any of it. He watched the whole thing, and I'm so proud of him. I'm excited to get to bring him with me from now on, as long as they're child appropriate shows of course!

The other really exciting thing that has happened during the show was it received a Review in the

Newspaper. The play itself was only given 3 stars, but Steven as actually mentioned by name as the best part of the play. I will post a link to the review at the bottom of the blog for anyone who wants to read it. I am just SO proud of Steven and all that he has accomplished so far while he's been here. This has been an amazing experience and I'm so happy that he has been making the most of it. We also hope that California enjoys his performances as much as they seem to enjoy them over here!

As of now, Steven is busy working on his final project and then he's done. Only 6 more weeks left! This time has gone by so fast, but we have enjoyed every minute of it. We're hoping to have many more adventures in the next few weeks before we leave. Hopefully time doesn't keep going too fast! 

Here are some pictures that Steven took. We weren't able to get any of the actual performance, but I think these are really quite fun. Enjoy!

I LOVE that outfit on Steven. I wish he could have kept it.

                                     

Steven's second costume.

 This is the group from Steven's program that were in the show with him.

Steven as William, the Village idiot. This is the part that got mentioned in the Review.

Here's the link to the review! http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/stage/as-you-like-it-botanic-gardens-glasgow.18157851

A Wonderful Reunion!

A few weeks ago we invited our friend Candace to come and stay with us and we were very happy when she verily happy agreed to come! We met Candace right after Steven and I got married. She was in the Theatre program with Steven at Highline Community College. When she moved away, Rhys was just a little bean in my tummy so its been a while since we've seen her. Currently she lives in Slovakia with her husband. He's Slovak and she has lived there for 5 years, so it was kind of refreshing to her to be in a place where everyone speaks English!! =)

She came to Glasgow for a few days and she brought her cute little boy with her. Max will be turning 2 in a few weeks and he is just the sweetest little boy. It was so fun to have a friend here for Rhys and Gavin to play with. 

While Candace was here we had a Church Barbecue that she attended with us. It was fun for us to introduce her to everyone, since our Ward here has been such an important part of our experience here in Scotland. We also went on a little shopping trip to the store so she could get a few things for Max. Can I just say, I loved watching her look at all the food. Apparently stores in Slovakia are a lot different and there was a lot of food she missed. I just wish we could get it all to her somehow! She also made us a traditional goulash which was absolutely amazing. 

We also spent the whole day Saturday wandering around Glasgow. We got to show her George Square, Steven's school, some of the fun shops, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Botanical Gardens. While we were out and about we stumbled upon the University Cafe. I had heard about it on the City Bus tour I had taken with my parents, but I couldn't remember where it was. I was so happy when we accidentally stumbled upon it. Its famous for their Ice Cream and so we had to go in. The food was delicious, cheap, and definitely deserved an award! 

It was also fun walking around the Botanical Gardens because Steven was able to show us some of the places that he will be performing in "As you like it" for Bard in the Botanics. While we were there Rhys got to play on the kids playground while Gavin and Max took their naps. It was actually really neat because Max has Down Syndrome, and while we were there we got to meet a little girl named Holly who also has Down Syndrome. She was such a cute little girl and it was fun for Candace to get to talk to her parents a bit. They even exchanged e-mail addresses, so I really hope they get a chance to continue to tell each other how their kids are progressing. It was just such a neat experience.

Candace ended up coming with us to Church and it was fun to have her there. She made quite the impression on one of the Older Gentlemen in the Ward who ended up walking us home. He has a thicker Scottish Accent and it takes a while to get used to figuring out what he's saying. It can make for quite the interesting conversation sometimes. =)

That night we also had the missionaries come over, since they always come over Sunday Night. We ended up making Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties so that Candace could try the traditional dish. I think she enjoyed it, and I know I'm going to be sad when its not so easy to get Haggis when we go home.

On Monday Candace said good-bye to Steven since he had all day rehearsal for As you Like it, but I took the boys and we all went to Edinburgh for the day. We went and saw the Castle, saw some fun gift shops, and my personal favorite, we went to "The Elephant House." which is the Cafe that J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter in. It was surprisingly empty for being such a popular Tourist spot and we were able to eat some lunch there. In the girls bathroom, there is graffiti all over the walls from people that have written messages to J.K. Rowling and it was neat to see. I even got to write her a message. I signed it from "The Grawrocks" since Steven won't be able to go into the bathroom himself.

We also met up with another one of Candace's friends. She took the boys and her own son to a fun soft play area and fed us dinner. It was very sweet of them to take us in like that.

I was sad that we had to say good-bye to Candace after that. She had a flight out of Edinburgh early the next morning, so it was easier for her to just spend the night there. But, we had so much fun with her here. I know that she became friends with Steven first, because of School and everything, but she is seriously one of the best friends I've ever had. We love her so much and are so happy to have finally met Max. Hopefully we won't have to wait until 7 years before we see her again! We love you Candace, thank you so much for taking time to come and see us!

Oh, and Candace was a lot better at taking pictures then me, so I borrowed some of the ones that she took. Here they are!

Us at the Ward Barbecue with Elders O'Baggy and Davidson. (Elder Davidson was just on exchanges so that was our first time meeting him.)

Rhys and Max were very good friends.

At the Botanical Gardens Candace found a giant "Jurassic Park" leaf.

 This is a building right outside the Botanical Gardens. It used to be a church, but during the day its not a restaurant and at night its a Pub.

 On our way to the Kelivingrove Museum.

 Group shot of us at Glasgow Central Station about to start our day exploring the city.

 Us in the Museum.

Eating our Ice Cream at the University Cafe.

A picture of us with our friend Donald on our walk home from Church.

Eating our Haggis with the Missionaries. O'Baggy and Davidson... this is our actual Elder Davidson!

They had some funny mirrors outside the Castle in Edinburgh.

Rhys posing for us in front of the Castle.

 This is as far in the Castle as we got. It was raining too hard, so we didn't want to stand around too much.

We had to climb a huge hill to get to the Castle. We were very happy we made it!

Outside the Elephant House.

Writing my message on the wall.

Candace with her message as well!