My take on Les Miserables (the Movie)

Okay, Mindy's Take on Les Mis (hold all applause or rotten tomatoes until the end please).

 

Loved: Anne Hathaway. She was stunning! Total surprise. I wanted her to have her hair back for the last scene though, and to be dressed in white.

Hugh Jackman (though I still prefer Alfie Boe's Bring Him Home) was an inspired Valjean. Mature, musical, soulful. Didn't love his Bring Him Home - wanted a softer dynamic, like a prayer, rather than a belt - but he was a good solid choice to play one of my big heroes.

Loved Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop (made me cry) and how he reappeared at Valjean's death - perfect.

Liked: Eponine, though I wanted her to vocally let it rip a bit more, and Marius, despite his chin wobbles.

Passable: the Thenardiers (I wanted more camp, I guess, like the musical, and less sex), Amanda Seyfried (can hit but not transcend the note - no depth to her voice. Seriously, you couldn't get a real singer?). I wanted a more striking Enjolras, like the guy who played it in the 25th anniversary concert, but the movie Enjolras was good too.

Dislike: Russell Crowe was totally miscast. Not angular, not a singer, Stars was disappointing. His eyes are all wrong for Javert - too puppydog. Didn't like how they had Eponine ambush rather than help Marius's commucations with Cosette - loses her character development. Hated the general handheld camera movement, crazy editing and weird filming angles - unnecessarily distracting from a beautiful story. I felt like I rarely knew where I was - so jerky. And the constant closeups got really old. For example, I think "Empty Chairs" would have been so much more effective had they focused on the empty room where Marius was singing, rather than on the freckles on his cheeks.

Did it move me? Yes. Did I cry? Several times. It's a good movie, intense and emotional... but it could have been better if they hadn't tried so hard to make it artsy. Simplicity is part of the incredible power of the stage production.

Disneyland in December

No lines, great weather, non-napping kids - the gods were with us when we went to Disneyland! We could not have asked for a more perfect day... unless Gary had been able to come. (It's finals at BYUI, plus he has his research, so he had to stay home. :-( He got a lot done though while we were gone... which was part of the plan.)

I've never seen the park at Christmastime before, and it was beautiful! I get a kick out of Disneyland as it is because of the esquisite, entertaining details and imaginative love they put into creating every corner of the park. Add Christmas lights and decorations as only Disney can do them, and it was stunning!

 

Maggie was a bit underwhelmed initially though, walking down Main Street first thing in the morning. She turned to me and said, "that's it? That's the famous castle? It's not very big you know." For a girl who's been to Versailles, Chenonceau, Chambord and Carcassonne, I guess I can see her point. Then that night during the the fireworks Cinderella's castle was entirely shimmering in white lights, like an ice sculpture, and "snow" began to fall all down Main Street. My breath was literally taken away - suddenly the castle gained substantially in cool factor.

                                                                     

Look how pretty Main Street was!

 No lines on Splash Mountain at all - score!

It's been about three years since our last Disney experience - we loved the pirate updates they've added to Tom Sawyer's Island.

 The kids were too young to do the Haunted Mansion last time - visiting it at Christmas when they totally redo it "Nightmare Before Christmas" style made it really fun. I love these creative people!

 We had a holly jolly day all around, from zipping right on to rides like Splash Mountain, Pirates, Star Tours, Thunder Railroad and Matterhorn (yes, the kids have graduated to the fun rides - YES!). I was so proud of all three of my kids - Thunder Railroad was my favorite as a kid, so I wanted to see if they were ready for it yet. Not only did they love the ride, but we turned around and got right back in the (very short) line to ride it again!

The only one we didn't get to was Space Mountain, because by then it was late and Soph and Spence were tired and wary. They were such troopers though! No stroller, not much rest, and they hardly complained once. They were total amusement park rock stars! I was so proud of them- we ran and ran and ran and they gave it their all. Didn't even melt down during our last minute shopping. Spen totally fell dead asleep in my arms while waiting in line for the bus to the parking lot when the park closed. But he got his pirates sword ($6!) and the kids each got a jawbreaker, and they were more than pleased! Best day at Disneyland ever! minus Gary. :-(

Dreamy Del Mar at Christmas!

Right about August, Papa started talking big to me about how wonderful the Grand Del Mar is in December, and how we've never seen anything like Disneyland when it's decked for the holidays. What was a girl to do? Besides pull her kids out of school for a week to do December Del Mar style? Plus they said we could bring our friends the Allens - we were in!

  

                                    

Ah, the Villa. Complete with 5400 square feet of private, solid luxury. And an elevator. And a personal golf cart.

The lobby of the hotel part of The Grand was stunning, of course! Oh the trees, and the roaring fires, and the flowers everywhere. And the gelato was as good as we remember!

They had chestnuts actually roasting on an open fire by the front doors of the lobby. When we tried to dig up chestnuts and roast them in Ireland that one time, they were disgusting. These however, were actually quite good! And how fun to nibble on them while gazing at the Grand Christmas Tree while sampling the complimentary hot cider and cookies!

We're not in Idaho any more, Toto!

Poolside lunches - the kids' favorite thing! I don't mind it either - thanks Papa! Such a treat!

 

The kids were in the private hot tub quite a bit...

...but the big pools beckoned as well. Look at that sunshine! We were so lucky - the weather was great!

 Part of the dreaminess of staying at the Grand is the amazing detail work and finishes of every surface of the house. For example, take the master bedroom (complete with two bathrooms, four tvs, an office, and a workout room). Not only is the ceiling guilded with gold pattern work, but the walls are tied with actual ribbons in bows.

 

Yes of course, this is what my bathroom looks like at home. Marble inlays, dual vanity, soaking tub, walk in closet, tile backsplash and all! Yeah, I wish!

What's a vacation home without a grand piano? This was Papa practicing Sleigh Ride, which he will be playing with Nanny at the Idaho Christmas Eve bash at her house. And yes, that's the theater room behind him, with a huge big screen and reclining armchairs. We spent a happy few hours in there watching The Three Amigos and Miracle on 34th Street. (PS Spencer recently told me that when he grows up he wants to be a Three Amigo. He'd make a great Little Neddy Knickers!)

 This is the detail work on the ceiling of the library/game room.

 Redge chillin' at the dining room table where the kids did homework and we played Take Two.

 I love our room - it's so calming, and fits us perfectly!

The kitchen is so beautiful - especially with Nana in her bathrobe!

The Grand has a complimentary shuttle service (in a posh Mercedes van - on the way there, anyway) to the 15th street beach in Del Mar, where they will proceed to supply you with beach chairs, towels, water, beach toys and umbrellas. They set it all up for you and anything - talk about customer service! Then they come pick you up in the "sand van" where the kids didn't even have to wipe their feet off to climb inside. Oh these people know their way to a mother's heart! We had them take us out there and pick us up twice... and the sand stayed in their car! It was awesome!

The kids loved the beach - we stayed for hours and hours! All the kids practiced their cartwheels - again and again and again... even I got dizzy!

Sunday night we went to see the lights at the San Diego temple - wow! Beautiful. Only it was cold, and the kids had already gotten soggy walking along Seal Beach in La Jolla, so we couldn't stay for their Christmas program which happened to be that night. Too bad ... but the kids were all the better for a warm bath and early bedtime!

Ammon, Spence and Hyrum. And red eye.

Sophie's Christmas Letter to Santa

 

(sorry, I can't figure out how to flip these pictures around to be right side up. You get the picture though, right? Sophie is a true believer!)

Our 2012 Christmas Card Text

The Larsen Family 2012 Top Ten

10. Entering - for the first time - the realm of competitive sports. Sophie (8) and Spencer (5) both tried spring soccer. For Sophie that was enough, as she was content to watch the butterflies and play with the dogs at the games, but Spencer embraced the sport. By the end of fall season he was scoring 2-7 goals per game, developing his footwork, and learning to play with a team (when not staring off into space and picking his nose). I never thought I'd enjoy watching soccer, but hyper, hysterical little kindergarteners wildly kicking each other’s shins - I mean the ball - is hilarious!

9. Spending time with friends. Oregon with Christy, Cali with the Allens, dinners with the Fransons, neighborhood parties, video fests, and chocolate buffets... thanks everyone - you bring great joy into my life! I will particularly cherish our 80's Valentine's Prom and festive St. Paddy's day memories (see my blog - rexburglarsens.blogspot.com - for the totally radical details). Long live the Party Barn!

8. Les Miserables and the Hobbit: we are massive fans of both and to have those movies coming out this year is exciting to our whole family. One of our favorite family songs to belt out is "One Day More," (Spencer plays Valjean, Maggie Eponine, Sophie Cosette, and Gary and I rock the Thenardiers, Marius and Javert). And Maggie (11) is counting down the days until she gets to see the Hobbit brought to life, having enjoyed the book (that’s the rule – she can see the movie if she’s read the book.) We bonded over the Hunger Games this year too – we’re both Team Peeta - but there are parts of the movie I definitely will not let her watch.

7. Developing our flair for the dramatic. Maggie was chosen as the narrator for her school team's spring patriotic pageant, memorizing and delivering her many lines with her usual panache and perfection. Sophie entered the fray as well, dazzling as Dorothy in her 2nd grade class's version of the Wizard of Oz. Spencer entertains us all constantly too… but not if he thinks we’re watching.

6. Finding the right dog food for Bella.  Believe me, this was a biggie. Once we found the magical brand that helped her lose her chub, her doggy dandruff AND her gas in one fell swoop, great was the rejoicing in the land of Larsen! And Petco delivers it to my house free of charge.

5. iPhones. Gary and I both got them. Don't laugh, but they really have changed our lives. I'm no longer chained to my computer desk to work on studio stuff, and thanks to FaceTime, I got to see and talk to Gary every day during his four week study trip to Ireland this summer. I still don't constantly carry it around with me, but it sure has affected my lifestyle, and brings me closer to the people I love through texts, pictures, FaceTime, and Scrabble.

4. Family time in Maui and Aspen Grove. We started out 2012 with New Years’ in Maui and also had a beautiful summer week at Aspen Grove. Maui was its usual perfection – we are big fans of the Ka’anapali Alii, Whaler’s Village, snorkeling and Leilani’s fresh fish. Aspen Grove - we love that place as well! This year we got to go in June for a family reunion to celebrate my paternal grandmother, Nanny, who is a lovely and spirited 91 years old. There were almost a hundred of her descendants there, and our week was, as always, filled with beauty, hiking, games, BYU Creamery ice cream, crafts, climbing walls, kids camp with amazing counselors, informative lectures for parents, chats by the pool, and unbeatable family time. That beautiful resort in the shadow of Mt. Timpanogos is practically sacred to me now, both for its superb beauty and for the memories we make every time we go there. Our children are growing up with Aspen Grove, Maui, Ireland and France as their special places... we have been very lucky.

3. Sophie's baptism. One of the most magical weekends of the whole year was the Saturday when our little Sophie got officially baptized into our church. The Larsen side of the family showed up in full force, as did Nana, Papa, Nanny, the Idaho cousins, and our local friends. Sophie glowed all weekend and to have so many of our nearest and dearest there to share it with her was so heartwarming.

2. Watching Gary's progress with his PhD. One word sums up Gary’s entire year: research. He's trying to complete a 4-year program in two years. And he's doing it. He's amazing! Hopefully by this time next year he will be Dr. Gary Larsen! And we will be able to both fly back for his graduation from the University of Limerick, a place very dear to our hearts.

1. France/Spain. The biggest event of our year, and possibly one of the more significant of our lives, was the trip to Europe we took with our studio dance team, American Rhythm. I organized the 44-person, two-week tour to France and Barcelona after our little clogging studio received a much sought-after invitation to an international folk festival in Rodez, France (where Gary served as a missionary almost 20 years ago). It was an amazing opportunity for growth and adventure, and our 28 dancers embraced the whole experience from day one. Performing in front of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, singing "the Spirit of God" in Arevieu, American night in Belmont sur Rance, bonding with so many people from so many cultures...we had the best time, and I am so thankful for this experience. We've had our fair share of unique events in our lives, and this trip ranks right up there with the best of them.

Merry Christmas to you all, our dear friends. We love you and pray for your health and happiness as we close this year and look forward to a new one. May it be bright and beautiful and filled with blessed memories.

Things I'm Grateful For

*moons so bright they cast shadows so I can see my dog when I walk her at night
*my husband's relentless pursuit of his PhD. Only half a chapter, the conclusion, and final editing left!
*my health. My body may be getting a bit squidgy around the edges, but it's pain-free, healthy, and does everything I need it to. I do take care of it, but I am grateful for a body that works.

*my "favorite things" still life, above: my Irish lace from Limerick, mosaic frog from Barcelona, Christus statue I made at Aspen Grove, smelly wax burner that makes my house smell like baking cookies, and my darling, beloved famly. Missing are my Maui, Russia and Paris memorabilia - they'll be in my next still life arrangement, I'm sure.
*my beautiful Christmas tree (pictures coming soon).  I love our Christmas decorations this year!
*cars that get us from Idaho, to Utah, to Idaho, to Utah, and back again, in comfort and speed. Every time I think about how long it took the pioneers to make that same journey, with no central heating or a/c, I am so so grateful for our car.

*Thanksgiving food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, green bean casserole, pomegranate/poppyseed salad, pie,- I love it all so much! And the season that reminds us to be grateful for it all!

in Grandpa's workshop carving staffs

*Richfield. I am so glad Gary's parents settled there instead of some other places they investigated. I love that lovely, quaint little valley, and we have great times there. This time the kids cut wood for staffs they're going to carve over Christmas, played with dogs galore, saw Rise of the Guardians with Gram, got her Christmas tree up for her, went swimming at the community pool, shot some more bb guns, and Maggie went at least twice a day on the four wheeler to take the garbage up to the dumpster. She's getting to be a pro driver! Very careful and prudent. We just wish Grandpa felt better - cancer is such a beast! We tried to cheer him up though.

*Scum!

*Sophie's ability to amaze and impress me. I think I try to shelter her more than she needs. She's tender but she can hold her own. She is very smart and strong, and loving and kind. And I love that she believes in Santa Claus! This was her letter to him this year:

*essential oils. I'm just starting on my journey with them. I'll let you know how it goes.
*friends who inspire me to be a more creative, involved, organized mom and a healthier, happier person. (yes this means you, Christy! and Sar! and Brenda! and mom and all my sisters!)
*my kids' good teachers. I love Sophie's Mrs. Dennis and Spencer's Mrs. Weekes! They are awesome. I'm glad I live in a place where I don't have to worry (yet) that my kids are being taught an agenda I don't trust or like. I'm glad they're still being taught about the Founding Fathers, the constitution, and the things that used to make America great (hard work, freedom, opportunity, independence, success, education, everything that embodies the American Dream).  And I'm glad that I've known that America. No matter what our current and future "leaders" do to corrupt our history and morale, I'm glad I was raised to believe in the greatness of our nation and its unique heritage and destiny.

*fun talks with my kids. Recently we discussed what we would choose for our final meals, if we had to. We were at Maddox at the time, and Gary was luxuriating in his preferred final meal: bison steak, shrimp coctail, good salad and rolls, homemade cream soda. Maggie chose Olive Garden (she craves bread and plain pasta of all things - silly girl), Sophie chose the medieval feast at Bunratty in Ireland (and another week at her school there with her Irish friends - aw), and Spence liked pizza and games at Leo's place. My fav meal of all times is Leilani's at sunest with their new cajun mahimahi with beurre blanc sauce, onion strings and salad, a virgin lava flow, and of course, Hula Pie. It doesn't get any better than that.
*I'm so grateful that I've learned to savor adventure in life. Growing up I was such a homebody, somewhat fearful of change and newness. Through the very unexpected paths my adult life has taken, I've learned not only to accept new opportunities (and the life lessons they offer) but to look forward to them. I've learned to rely on the Lord to know what's best for me and to send me where I need to learn something and/or help someone. I'm grateful for the constants of my parents' (and my dog's)love, my wonderful  kids and husband, my favorite books and movies that go with me wherever I need them, and the things I've learned from all our adventures, whether wanted or un-. I've had an amazing, blessed life. Not challenge-free by any means. But a blessed life just the same.