What a New Year's!!!

On a last minute whim, I bought late gifts for the kids when I found out Trans-Siberian Orchestra was going to be at BJCC New Year's Eve. Rick had heard the ads, but had not considered going. I knew he and Sean were fans of their music and Cait and I enjoy it too. So, I got the tickets. It was GREAT!!!!

We had hoped to have dinner in Bham before the concert since it did not start until 9:30pm, but my work delayed our departure, so it was McD's on the way (boo!) We arrived and parked by 8:45pm so it was a relaxed time to get to our seats and get situated. The kids were in awe of the balloon nets surrounding the arena! And that was before the first note was played!!!
Let me just say that we all really enjoyed the concert. I like the music, but the show, lights, pyrotechnics, all if it was well worth the money. I'm not sure what either of us expected, but we sure got our money's worth. As predicted by the presence of the balloon nets, the concert was timed to stop just before midnight to countdown until 12:00 then the balloons were let go, but that was not all - confetti seemed to come from EVERYWHERE!I was excited for the children and was all set to head on back to Montgomery, all filled with a great evening together at a great show - but..... we were asked to have take our seats again - the concert then continued!!! I thought ok a song or two to wrap up and then we go, but NO, the show went on for another 45 minutes!!! Then the GREAT pyrotechnics REALLY began - the picture does not come close to doing this justice!

Ok, we're done, overflowing with satisfaction - BUT THEN.......

Tommy Shaw (lead singer from STYX!!!) came out and did two numbers - "Blue Collar Man" and Renegade". We were completely OVERWHELMED!!!! We received our money's worth in abundance!!!!! I was so shocked that I only have a short clip, but you get the gist - Tommy Shaw with Trans-Siberian Orchestra!!!

What a night!!! The kids were in awe, we were in awe, but that's not it! We stayed for the "meet and greet" afterward and the kids had a program signed by members of the band. The guitar players had pics and we all got one from each guitar player (I gave my set to Sean!) And they were not what I expected (cold, distant, robotic...) Each person we saw was kind, interactive, and seemed genuinely glad we came to the concert as a family.

We did not get back home until 4am, but Sean's last words were "Mom, Dad - you rock!!" Can't even express how that made us feel - we all enjoyed the show and had a great New Year's 2007!