Thriller with my BFFs!!!!

This post was written by Abby and copied to my blog.

Matt’s favorite show of the year – THRILLER!! For Holly’s birthday this year, we decided to grab her a ticket to one of the most awesome shows ever!! So Matt and I headed up to SLC:

and met Holly at Outback:

We followed Holly to her apartment to drop off Beyonce (her car):
 
Holly went and saw it last year with a bunch a buddies, but she was still very excited to go with her to BFFs. See:

We got to Kingsbury Hall and we begged Matt to drop us off. After a bathroom run we find our seats and see that Matt has already sat down. Apparently just as he was leaving the dropoff zone, a lady was pulling out of a spot right next to the entrance – SCORE! Holly was very surprised to be so close to the action. The Zombies were wandering around all over and Holly was right on the aisle:


We found our seats, 4th row:

 
As we were walking out of Kingsbury I snapped a picture:

We stopped and got some frozen yogurt and dropped Holly off at her apartment.  We went to inspect her digs and Matt and I found an “interesting” pillow on her bed:

What? Holly? Is that a half-man pillow? Yup, and she loves it:

We tried to dispose of the half-man pillow, but Holly would have none of it. Matt and I headed for home, and Holly was off to a bridal shower sleepover (ah, the life of a single lady).
It was a thrilling night and the best part was that I was able to share it with my 2 best friends.  Happy Halloween everyone.

Vanessa's Baptism

 I cannot believe that Vanessa is already 8 years old!!  Time flies.  October 8, 2011 is the day that Vanessa Marie Hall chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!  I'm so proud and happy for her!  She was very nervous and excited at the same time.  The morning of the baptism, she was brushing "baptism bear's" fur.  

As I was watching her, I couldn't help but reflect on how much of a blessing her and Keagan are to our family!  I thought back to 10 years ago when my parents decided they wanted to adopt a baby.  We were so excited as a family but had no idea what a roller coaster ride the adoption process was.  I won't go into all the details, but it's not a quick and easy process.  I had decided to serve a mission around the same time, and I wanted nothing more than to have a baby in our home before I left, knowing that I wouldn't get to see my family for 18 months.  The Lord had a different time line in mind.  

 I left on my mission June 25, 2003 and Vanessa was born August 21, 2003,  my birthday.  I knew that this special connection was the Lord's way to help me feel connected to her since I wouldn't be around for the first 16 months of her life.  My family was diligent to send me pictures every month, so I could see her grow up.  I still have every single picture tucked away in my scripture case.  I was sad I couldn't be there for all the celebration along the way, but I always took comfort in my assumption that my family would wait for me to get Vanessa sealed to us.  I never clarified this; I just assumed.  March 6, 2004 rolled around and my family went to the Manti temple to have Vanessa sealed to us...I was still on my mission.  The heartbreak was back.  I loved being a missionary, but I wanted so badly to be with my family during these special times.  January 15, 2005 rolled around.  I remember sitting on an airplane from Cleveland to Salt Lake City and not quit sure how to feel.  The last 18 months of my life felt like a dream.  Like it never really happened.  I was sad to leave, nervous about what was ahead, and excited to see my family. 
I couldn't help but wonder, "Would Vanessa know who I am?  Would she cry when I tried to hold her?  What's it going to be like to see my family again?  She's almost 1 1/2 years old.  How big is she going to be?"  The anticipation made the flight longer.  We landed.  I was in no rush to get off the plane.  I sat in my seat and gladly let everyone else go ahead of me.  Finally, I got off and walked down the airport corridors.  I stepped onto the escalators leading to the airport waiting area and saw my family:  My dad and Karen, my mom, Shantell, Danielle, my friends Abby and T'liese, and a  previous mission companion Annie.

Vanessa's CTR cookie

There was Vanessa with her minnie mouse pom pom hair.  She reached her arms out immediately and came to me.  I remember holding her for the first time and thinking, "This must be what Heaven will feel like."  I was back with my family. 

   Vanessa finished combing "baptism bear's" fur and it was time to head to the church.  All our family started rolling in, less than 5 minutes before it started, as usual.   Dad would have the opportunity to baptize his 4th child.  Keagan still has 3 more years. 

David, Diane, and Grandma Ferre

Another girl in our ward named Emily would share the date with Vanessa.  Emily's grandfather gave the talk on baptism before she would be baptized by her father.  Vanessa was next.  She walked into the water nervously and got a quick reminder from Dad on how to hold her hands.  Dad lowered her into the water, and sure enough, Vanessa's foot pops up. Try again.  Second time was a success.  Not everyone is lucky enough to be baptized twice!!  

Dean, Ann, Amanda, Jaxon, Max

  The prelude music played while everyone changed into dry clothes.  I sat in my seat trying to calm my nerves.  It was exactly 1 week ago that I received a phone call from Karen,  "Vanessa wants you to speak at her baptism."  I immediately replied, "Yes, of course.  I would love to."  I felt honored at the opportunity to share my thoughts and testimony with my little sister on her special day. 

Debbie and Kim, aunt and uncle

The music stopped, and Bishop Jones turned the time over to me.  It was a beautiful sight to stand up there and see 2 little girls sitting in their little white dresses.  I shared a text conversation that Vanessa had with Danielle earlier that day on my phone.  Danielle was not able to come up from New Mexico for this day, but she made sure to share with Vanessa via text on how important this is.  I also shared an analogy about the door handle being on our side of the door and it's our responsibility to turned the handle to open the door and let the Holy Ghost into our lives.  Most importantly, I shared my testimony on how proud Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is of her.  The confirmations followed.  The program came to an end.  After making everyone pose for pictures, everyone headed back to the house for food.                 

Vanessa practicing the piano

 I may not have been there for the celebration of bringing Vanessa home as a baby, or for her first tears, first steps, first words, first time walking, but I was there for her baptism.  I spoke at it.  I will be there for every other big event of her life, of my family's life, because they are the closest thing to Heaven I have.

My family!  Danielle, Nate, Owen, Dakota, and Austin were there in Spirit

Spud Days

My friend MaryEllen sent me a text sometime in mid August that asked if I wanted to drive home to Idaho with her and go to "Spud Days". I checked my calendar and saw that I was free. So I thought, "Spud Days, huh? Sounds interesting and so stereotypical Idaho. I'm in!!!" I had no idea what I was getting into...


The morning started with a parade, and I'm pretty sure EVERY towns person was in attendance, except MaryEllen's dad, who doesn't like crowds. There was a nip in the air and I hadn't come prepared. Luckily, MaryEllen's sister had a black sweater I could borrow, AND I fell in love with that sweater! So if anyone knows where I can purchase one, let me know! It has 2 zippers that can meet in middle. I couldn't resist getting a picture by this vintage Ford truck!


MaryEllen (the girl who made this day happen) and I posing for a picture!


The float makers hung tight to the theme. EVERYTHING was of a potato. This was one of my favorites!

And a dust cropper plane flew overhead and dropped ping pong balls on us.


And here is our Spud royalty. I jokingly asked MaryEllen if she was in the Spud royalty when she was younger, and she replied, "Yep. I was Miss Spud Congeniality," and she really does want world peace!

Another potato. That's nice. Just throw us more candy, please.


And here is a girl wearing a potato sack dress. Yes, that's right. A potato sack dress.


There were mullets and bump-its everywhere!!



After the parade, we went to the city park and stood in a massive line to get our free baked potato. The Spud royalty served us. That's their reward. Congratulations on winning the Miss Spud pageant. Now go serve 1,000 potatoes to the whole town!



We stopped by a family friend's photography business and got some pointers. Did you know that when you take a photo, you want to have every body part on some sort of angle? So I'm trying to dip my right shoulder lower than my left, and my hips are slanted on an angle.

MaryEllen's friend Sara also joined us for all the day's festivities!


What Spud Days would be complete without some mashed potato tug-o-war?

Why all those guys put the girl in front, I'll never understand. She was not happy. I would also be grabbing a handful of mashed potatoes and throwing them.


The Elder's had to get in on the fun!


And here is our very own Miss Spud Congeniality!

They also had a hypnotist show, which is my all time favorite!!! They think they're in some muscle competition!


One girl even got down on the ground and started doing pushups. She was serious about winning!



We talked MaryEllen into going up for the 2nd show.



At one point, she was running for President and everytime she was asked an interview question, she would be able to get 4-5 words out before finishing the sentence with "blah, blah, blah, blah." Well, I don't think the hypnotist knew what he had coming when he asked the 3rd question, "What is one thing you would want to be remembered by?" MaryEllen's response, "My singing and dancing abilities." 5 words! A light bulb went off in in the hypnotist's head, "What if I told you that I was going to let you showcase your singing and dancing abilities?" MaryEllen nodded her head up and down and grabbed the mic. "Somewhere over the rainbow," paused long enough to shake her hips back and forth once, "bluebirds fly...." She was definitely a fan favorite!

After all the spud day festivities were over, we drove down to Pocatello to meet up with one of MaryEllen's and Sara's old college roommate. I waited in the back seat of the car while they went into the hotel to get her. She comes running up to my window and basically smashes her face against it while waving energetically and saying "hi" through the window. I couldn't help but laugh and wave back while thinking, "who is this girl?" She hopped into the back seat and introduced herself as Heather. I realized that she was wearing Tom's, and therefore, was pretty cool! We went to dinner, and then back to her hotel room and played Harry Potter clue. After minimal cheating by all parties, and me persuading Heather on a couple different occassions to "show me your cards," I won! Then it was off to the pool! I did not win the hand standing competition. I actually came in last place!

Showing off our polygamist pool hair. Either that or George Washington hair!

Yep, those are some righteous burn lines.


Needless to say, Spud days was pleasant surprise!! If you ever have the opportunity to go, I would highly recommend it! Maybe you'll even be given the opportunity to showcase your singing and dancing abilities!