NKOTB

Yeah, I went to New Kids on the Block. Laugh if you want.

They. were. fantastic.

I was a little scared when we first got to the arena, but really who isn't scared by large groups of women reliving their jr. high/high school days or just large groups of women in general? Right? Is that just me that they terrify? It was like a never-ending sea of 30-40 year old women wanting to get some attention from the New Kids. There was a lot of screaming... a lot of screaming. And then there was me, laughing so hard my face hurt.

And really, who thought to bring back the giant buttons? A NKOTB merch guy that's who and they sold like hot cakes!! No, I didn't get one and yes I've already been yelled at multiple times, don't worry. Nicole already warned me on the car ride over that she had bought vintage NKOTB shirts online and that she was walking away tonight with another shirt and would wear it proudly to work the next day, to sleep that night, and to her boyfriend's house for dinner. I don't know if any of those things happened, but at the time I she was a little crazy so I wasn't going to call her bluff on anything. I'm not that stupid.

They actually got better as time passed. and I mean EVERYTHING was better. They all look better (let's be honest, the 80's/90's were good to no one), they sound better, and they dance better. I saw with my own two eyes a 40+ year old man brake dance and do a head spin!! That alone is amazing. There was all the elements of a great show there: skanky back-up dancers, pyrotechnics, syncro dancing, one of the band members taking his shirt off, and a touching video about all the good people we lost this year. But the best part... hands down .... Hangin' Tough. Seriously, can you think of a better way to end your show then singing Hangin' Tough?

I'm not gonna lie though, I walked into thinking it was going to be super-duper lame and I was going to spend most of my time cracking jokes and making fun of the girls that I went with... which I did, but not in the mass quantity I thought I would. There was, however, this girl in front of me with her mom that was rocking out to the opening acts. This girl was out or her seat, waving her arms to some other beat in her head not even close to the song that was being played, and danced for her life. It was great and provided entertainment for our entire section.

So Nicole and Tora, thanks for a great night of pure awesomeness.

Candy gets Married

My little Princess Candy Cane Candace got married in October and I decided to try and be crafty for her wedding gift. So I made a custom picture frame and journal for their new little family. The picture frame was a shadow box and I printed some the words love, cherish, and the meanings on a transparency and put it against the glass. The journal was for their new little family memories. They both turned out pretty cute I thought.

Here's to new beginnings Candace and Curtis!!

shadow box, inside of journal, and card

Bounce U Birthday Bonanza

Soooo, what does a 28 year old do for her birthday party you ask? Goes to Bounce U that's what!! Last year Baby Cousin had her birthday at the same place and it was a blast, so why not do it again? It was a lot of fun watching everyone go crazy kids and grown ups alike. There were slide races, basketball shoot-offs, little kids that like to climb stairs but not go down the slide, grandmas bouncing with grandkids, big kids racing little kids in cars meant for little kids, and all sorts of birthday fun. Happy Birthday Reen.... back in Sept. I'm slow, I know.

Going to Moab

So, Karen was planning a trip to Moab back in September and I tagged along. It was an odd trip there... I'm pretty sure we went through Hell at one point (Mexican Hat), had donkeys stand in the middle of the road, and got pulled over the minute we got into Moab. The cop was nice though, but told us he only gives one warning.... so to be on the safe side Karen didn't drive the rest of the weekend. We had a really good time though.

We went to a beautiful little place to fish called Oowah and actually caught fish


John taught Karen how to fly fish

Karen got to take part in her first ever Homecoming parade

And her first ever Homecoming football game

We got to see some of the Arches


We got to ride around Moab in Old Green with our own personal Moab tour guide, Johnny B

Overall, it was a really great weekend. But I think my favorite part was Mini Lion's Back. Check this video out. Karen was filming and she has a silent laugh attack (ie: legs kicking) but then we got back on track and filmed our amazing journey.

Thanks Johnny B and the entire Bishoff family for a great weekend.

What was I doing a year ago?

I'll tell you what... Crusin' the Caribbean that's what!!

It was Karen, Julie, Amanda, Susan, Eve, and I for a week on the Carnival Triumph. We had a lot of fun, got to see some really cool places, and eat a lot of food.

Taking in all the sights and sounds aboard the Triumph

Hanging out on the beautiful beaches of St. Thomas

Getting to know our waiters and eating our weight in food every night

Seeing Susan become Madonna and going on a tour of Grand Turk by myself

Airboat ride in Miami complete with alligators and crocs

Ohhh.... good times.

Oh, she was so sweet...

So Friday night Brooklyn spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa. Saturday morning I wake up and Brooke is already up and watching cartoons with Grandma so I just sneak a peek in at her on my way to put my contacts in and then it happens. She looks at me for a second. Then looks at Grandma and says, "Holly is having a bad hair day Grandma".... wow.
Dissed by a four year old.

Greer

So, we went to Greer, AZ for the Labor Day weekend and it was beautiful. So nice and cold and rainy. It was great.

We played in the rain with umbrellas...

We went to dinner and ALL the old people fit themselves in the back seat...

Mike, Brooklyn, and Grandpa went on a boat ride, caught a fish, got poked in the finger by said fish, and then played in the water the rest of the time...

Played with a dead crawdad or "karates" as Brooke called it...

It's hard being an old man when your kids take your waders and you have to get your "boat shoes" wet. Poor dad.

Played in the rain some more and made funny faces...

Took some pictures of pretty things...

Saw some beautiful fields of flowers...

Saw a bunch of elk grazing on the other side of Big Lake...

And totally touched a dead cow on the side of the road!!! My mom is awesome!!!