So it's FINALLY started to cool down here in good ol' Charleston, IL....
but for about 2 weeks here it was CRAZY HOT and HUMID.
We all deal with things in our own way...some of us by staying home in front of a fan as much as possible (me)...others by driving around in their air conditioned cars (most people)......
and then.....
there's this guy.......
what better way to beat the heat then to have as little clothing on as possible while out on your hog?? His outfit is complete with old-man boat shoes, SHORT cut-off denims (all right if anyone has ever watched arrested development...never nudes??? ahahaha oh I love it)...and top it off with an almost (not quite cut to the seams) sleeveless shirt that has been handily rolled up to be a mid-drift top.....
So hot right now......
Brought to you by the every day population of small town mid-west.
I must say, that's a pretty cute kid, huh?? And she's even a new born!!!! Usually those are kind of tragic looking for a while haha.
She was born this morning at 4:30....2 days late....Mommy wasn't very happy about that but is very glad she is here now and is healthy and safe! Everyone is doing well!!
That is niece #6 for me which brings the grand total to 9!! And I have two more on the way!!!
I love being an aunt....also it makes me want babies....but I'll wait till I have a husband to change their diapers :)
Just completed my first web-site. Woot! It's to promote my work as a hair stylist. It only has a few of my events up there right now and the home page is a little bare because I'm waiting to get another picture sent to me to put as the background yadda yadda yadda...but check it out!
And if you live in Illinois or know people living in Illinois or the bordering states that are needing anything fancy done with their hair or just looking for a good stylist for everyday...go ahead and throw my name out there :)
I did the hair and makeup for a wedding back up in Chicago last weekend....oh, by the way...I moved back home...so I'm no longer in Chicago....surprise, I guess? Anyway, went back last weekend to do the wedding and went to the John Mayer concert that night with some friends. This is my second time to see him live. He has definitely improved as a musician...and as a tool. For those of you wondering what a tool is, I'm pretty sure you can urban dictionary it...but I don't actually know what urban dictionary says about the term...and it's probably inappropriate because a lot of stuff on there is...so maybe don't do that... but anyway. So amazing live, but you can definitely tell he thinks he's the cats meow. He was wearing the most ridiculous outfit I've ever seen. Let me paint the picture for you because I just don't think my pictures do it justice.
He was wearing white, um, slip on tennis shoes maybe? I don't know they kind of just looked like sports socks. And then his pants, or should I say...man-pris???? That's right....he was wearing capris...but he's a man...so therefore 'man-pris'...they were hidious. I don't know if they're some designer something or other so thats why he wore them but I spent the ENITRE concert trying to figure out what on earth was going on. They were *gulp* tapered on the bottom...just below the calves...and then they ballooned out on top...like parachute pants..... PARACHUTE PANTS!!!!!!!! seriously, John Mayer??!!!! SERIOUSLY???!!!!!! for a while I thought he actually had capri over-alls on and had done the super hip, mid-90s folded down at the waist look with the straps hanging down...I could never quite tell.....they were also made of I've concluded a really really shiny black denimn...that looks a lot like leather....so upsetting.... Then he was wearing a white, sleevless shirt....apparently too sexy for sleaves now-a-days. That was followed up with a Brett Michael's bandana on top....truly awful. I used to think this man was really attractive...but I'm having my doubts. Thank goodness he is a ridiculously good musician or I would have lost all faith in him. Is that shallow?? Whatever.
Anyway, here are some pictures of the evening and a little diddy I got during his encore. I ran up closer to where he was playing...potentially with the intention of perhaps throwing a certain supportive undergarment that some women throw at live music gatherings....but obviously I'm a chicken and did not...plus I didn't have a second one with me....so it just would've been an awful idea. Again. Don't judge me. I was caught in the moment. Someday I will though...hopefully at Neil Diamond.
These guys were the opening band. The Avett Brothers. I loved them!!! Seriously they were folk-rocking it out. So amazing. And they all sang really really well. Their singing style isn't the trendy breathy thing that so many male singers are doing right now but more of a belt it all out deal. That's really hard to do live and they had a really clear tone and it was pretty impressive. One guy was literally walking around playing his cello during part of it too....celloooooo!!! That's amazing:)
I attempted yet again to take a group picture...this is try one...
and try two...
and I still fail. I at least got a portion of everyones face...
J May...seriously I wish you could've gotten a detailed picture of his outfit...
Just thought this pic was kind of cool. Looks more like a drawing...
Mark and Kathryn had never been to a concert before. Crazy to me. We broke them in.
During the encore. We were closer to him so it's a little more detailed. The next one isn't so blurry.
And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!!! And no, I'm not that voice singing loudly over john mayer...but at least she knows the words.
Also I feel like I'm giving everyone the false impression that I'm going to become a regular every-other-day blogger. That probably won't be the case. So enjoy it while you can:) I'll definitely be better than I was before though!!
Yes. That IS a transcription of a song from one of the greatest singing groups ever. Boyz II Men. But that's neither here nor there...
So here is another update!!
I went to Philadelphia to visit my sister Melanie while her hubby was out of town for school. She was 38 weeks or so prego at the time and had progressed some so being alone with two kids when you may have a baby is no bueno. It was really fun to go help and hang out! But none of these pictures can be explained until I talk about my journey getting to Philadelphia...
So...
My flight leaves at 9:05 in the morning. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. I tell my buddy that's taking me to the airport that I need him at my house by 6:45 at the latest. No big deal he says...
WELL. His phone doesn't go off. I really didn't judge him at all and I wasn't even upset with him. It happens to everyone and he's a super responsible kid. It was just a little inconvenient. I call him about 5 minutes before he's supposed to get to my house...wake him up...and he says he'll get there as soon as he can....
there's just one problem....
he lives about 45 minutes away....
welcome to singles in the midwest. None of us live by each other. He was the only one not working Saturday morning AND he's my home teacher so I thought he would be the best option.
Anyway, he gets to my house about 7:20 or so. He feels super bad but I tell him don't even worry about it. Southwest is usually super fast and if I'm there about an hour ahead I'll be fine...
or so I thought...
First of all this kid drives like a maniac which makes me super nervous. That day, however, he didn't drive like a maniac at all...and what's funny is I was kind of hoping he would so we would get there faster...interesting how that works.
There is construction, of course.
So we FINALLY get there with about an hour before my flight takes off.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY WHOLE LIFE.
Apparently southwest planned for all of their flights to leave at the exact same time. They had us looped through the entire zigzag line in front AND THEN had us looping around the back of the airport through the employee hallways....
Wrap your mind around that. If I were to guess how long the line was I would say between 3-4 football fields.
IT. WAS. NUTS.
So I start to panic. There is NO WAY I'm gonna make this flight. My sister is pregnant, I don't know how the next flight would be and yadda yadda yadda.
So I'm talking to the lady next to me in the eternal line and we're just discussing how amazing this is and how nobody had ever seen anything like it. She asks where I'm going and why and I tell her and that my flight leaves at 9:05. I told her my sister was about to go into labor (which may or may not have been a small exaggeration, but throw me a bone. I needed to get on a flight. It could've happened!) and that her husband was out of town.
This woman was awesome! She gets all excited and says "Babies don't wait!! You have to cut!! Start asking people to get in front of them!!". I was super hesitant because I didn't want to be annoying. But by about 8:35 I was freaking out because we were still in the part of the line in outer darkness. So this lady goes with me to the front of the line and basically tells people there that I have to get in. I proceed to tell them my sister is going to go into labor...again, don't judge me - It could've happened...and a super nice guy lets me cut in front of him to check my bag. Once I get it checked I SPRINT to security.
I pick the ONE line where captain chatty is checking everyones tickets and IDs...
Then I hear a flyer's worst nightmare....
"this is the final boarding call for all passengers on southwest flight 2424 to Philadelphia. Final boarding call"
....so I start cutting again. I don't remember what was said or done, but there is a small possibility that I might have said that my sister was actually in labor and I had to get on that flight. Captain chatty is talking to people about there upcoming trips. "Oh you goin to Disney Land? You gonna ride any rides? I hear the weather is real nice! What's your name? Oh yeah? How old are you?"...I was amazed at this man. His co-workers right next to him looked up and saw the gi-NORMOUS line and tried to light a fire under it. But oh, no, no, no! Not him!
So when I get up there I again hear my nightmare confirmed...but now worse...
"Passenger Lunt for flight 2424 to Philadelphia. Please report to gate B19. Passenger Lunt. Your plane is ready for takeoff"...
So again I RUN to the security line. Kind people let me cut in front of them. I finally got all my stuff through the scanner. I grab my belt and don't even think about putting it back on and I BOOKED IT across the midway airport. My lungs felt like fire. I blew into the gate like Kramer and BARELY made it onto the plane. They closed the doors maybe three minutes after I got on gasping for breath.
It was ridiculous.
Also my luggage didn't make it on that flight so we had to come back to the airport later that day to get it.
Either way it was darn near amazing that I made it onto that flight. I never want to repeat that experience again. It's not good for your nerves.
But on a lighter note!
Here is a recap of my trip!
My niece, Rachel. She and I were buddies when they lived in Provo. I'm still her favorite aunt :)
Rachel had been really concerned about the fact that I didn't get my luggage and I think it exhausted her. So she passed out. Lincoln was cranky because they were waiting at the airport forever and he needed a nap.
He feels better if he holds Melanie's hand though. I thought that was cute.
The Liberty Bell. I had to fight my way through a bunch of tourists that I'm pretty dang sure weren't even American....
Independance Hall. Melanie was looking pretty pregnant and she noticed one of the security guards was eyeing her and her condition...so she stuck out her belly even farther. He came over and offered to let us go to the front of the line so she wouldn't have to stand. It pays to be with child.
This is the courtroom in Independance hall. They used to make the prisoners stand in the center in what looks like a cage. I think that would have an effect on the jury:)
Also don't be jealous of how put together I look. You can accomplish this too if you just wear dirty clothes and have your hair in a nasty bun. It's that simple! :)
This was another day. Washington Memorial Chapel. It was really pretty. Also I wanted to show how pregnant Melanie was - well I guess is. She still hasn't had her baby. She's ticked.
Lincoln is so dang funny. He likes to jump off of anything and everything. Each time he says "big jump!" My favorite is how none of my nieces and nephews can pronounce my name. He shortened it the most though. The most common phrase I hear from him was "Na! Ook! Bih Jum!"...translation: Deanna! Look! Big Jump! :)
Another "bih jum!"
These kids are stinkin cute. We had a good time.
I thought this was beautiful.
Pregnancy has never looked so good...
Lincoln likes to be sung to at night. So Melanie was in there singing them to bed and he wanted to cuddle. How convenient baby Hannah was right there. I thought this was hilarious so I took a picture.
The Friday I was there we had a princess birthday party for Rachel. We got out her princess tent that she got from her grandpa and grandma Danielson. It was a hit.
All the little girls at the party making princess cupcakes. Also Lincoln.
So one of the little girls at Rachel's party is at least a year younger than the others...and the social development differences between children that have just barely turned three and just barely turned four are pretty different....watch the video to see....
Talk about yer' Party Foul.
Tearing open the presents. She got some good ones.
But this one might be my favorite. Soooooo one of her friends bought her this outfit. We added the t-shirt underneath. It consists of a tiara that looks mostly like showgirl feathers. A choker. A mid-drift tube top. A mini skirt with mesh on the bottom. And a pair of heels. Yikes. Melanie and I were discussing today that we wouldn't be that sad if it accidentally fell apart...
And now the moment you've all been waiting for...
Epic.....
Here is the documenting of the run. My camera was turned sideways...which apparently is only autofixed on my camera and not anything else. Oops. You still get the idea. Also listen to what Melanie says/sings. I think it's funny.
I didn't really get to document the little things in my college years very well. When I was in Utah I wanted to try to capture some of the old memories. One of my favorite things that I miss so much was being able to go on a walk and end up in a completely isolated area in the foothills somewhere. Mountains are my favorite. I decided to relive a walk that I took a lot. One that my roommate and I discovered when we were juniors in college. It starts.... walking by this beautiful apple orchard...
always seeing at least a few deer...
walking past the state hospital and up a hill and falling upon this...
wandering around the castle ampitheater and feeling a little bit like a kid that just found a super awesome spot to play make-believe in...
seeing a great view of Provo and the greater Utah valley...
Finding great spots to do photo shoots...(I took a lot of engagement pictures over the years at this castle in the woods. It was perfect!)
Seeing where Juliet would have stood...(though obviously this balcony does have a flaw....)
and then we get really adventurous....
you hop this fence...
wander around for a while in the foothills and then accidentally fall upon this...
for some reason the grass was dead this year in the middle, almost like it was intentional. I hope they're not planning on building something there. Catherine and I found this place by accident and I wish the pictures did it justice. A bunch of trees had grown together in a clump and the branches had grown together on top making a tunnel. It was really hot and sunny the day we found it so walking into a shaded, quiet retreat was awesome. Again, I promise it was a lot prettier when we first found it over 4 years ago haha!
Then if you wander around a little while longer you'll make your way out of the woods and onto a surface street in Provo, not to far from....
7 PEAKS!!! I had a summer pass to this after I graduated from BYU. It was awesome. A little gem in Provo. So nice on hot summer days.
Next up: Philadelphia and the running of the Rocky stairs....
I've been super super lucky in that I was able to meet a group of amazing girls my freshman year and we have been friends ever since! Even as some were getting married or moving or whatever we always tried to do a girls' night once a month and we really were able to keep that going until this last year where most of us moved away. But we always still try to stay in contact and whenever someone comes into town we try to get together with whoever is there. My wonderful friends came through and FIVE of us were able to get together while I was in Utah!!! It was so great!! I really wish Erin, Natalie, Angie and Meg could've been with us but we're grownups now and don't all live within a ten minute drive like we used to:)
We all got together at Amanda's cute house. Amanda made some AMAZING cinnamon rolls that were about the death of me. Her little boy Jack is SO BIG! He is going to be a cute older brother:)
Jenny was in town!! Her and her husband had just moved from Minnesota to Texas and she just happened to be in town visiting family. I am a lucky girl!! And I got to see her beautiful new little girl, Maddie (full name Madlyn...and I have no idea on any of the spelling).
I don't even know if you can tell in these pictures, but her children have the most perfectly shaped heads. I know that's a pretty weird thing to notice, but my family makes babies with funny lookin noggins so we tend to notice:) Also her babies have gorgeous blue eyes.
Taryn and Amanda holding down the couch:) Taryn's little girl Olivia is ADORABLE!! So cute. She's got some rockin baby blues too. I'm so glad that all of my friends have really attractive kids haha. It makes my life so much easier.
Ok, so this was hilarious to me. Apparently Jack once had a boo-boo on his nose that they applied neosporan (or however you spell it) too. So now anything that resembles some type of antibiotic ointment he applies to his face. So he also loves chapstick, and was putting it all over himself. We found him outside the door like this:
What you can't see is he then proceeded to get it into his eyes. He was making some pretty funny faces and I had a hard time not laughing as Amanda kept telling him that he can't put chapstick in his eyes. Also when she told him that he's not allowed to pick up poop. Kids are hilarious to me.
My fantastic friends!!!! We are really proud of this picture because it was our first shot of the day with the self-timing camera and we actually all look normal in it!!!! There were some hilarious ones to follow on other people's cameras. Who has those anyway, ladies?
I love that Liz and I are holding down the title of 'cool, single friends' in back:) So wonderful of her to take off work and come down from Treemonton! Seriously those were some of the best hours I've had this whole year. In the over 7 years that we've all known eachother, everyone that has gotten married got married in the temple to GREAT guys, some have had BEAUTIFUL children and all have finished or are finishing school and are being awesome women and moms. They're all such amazing examples! I can look at their lives and know that it's possible to have marriages and families like that and be strong in the gospel. My single friends have been such great examples too and we sympathize with eachother's struggles:) I'm so glad I know all of you!!! Love you guys!!!
