Dave Matthews Band Concert

I have this friend named Aaron. He's a Dave Matthews band superfan and he always gets great tickets to their shows. He also always invites me. This is why he's the best. This year he had tickets for the pit, which is right up next to the stage. There were exactly two people between me and the band and it was amazing. I couldn't believe how close we were. They came out first and did a short acoustic set before doing their full set later. 

Boyd Tinsley, violin. With no zoom. Wha?!? I don't think I've ever seen someone play an instrument as joyfully as he did. He had a huge smile on this face the whole time, and he could hardly stay on his stool. He actually eventually stood up and started dancing around while playing. He's got the music in his bones.

My good friend (and husband) Dave Matthews, vocals and guitar (and his friend Tim Reynolds, guitar).

Steffan Lessard, bass (my other husband).

Carter Beauford, drums. My favorite part of being so close was being able to see their facial expressions and their interactions with each other. It's a completely different experience and I felt like I was actually involved in the show. I could see them. They could see me. I could see them talking to and laughing with each other. You just don't get that from 100 yards away.

It's nice to have the sea of people behind you instead of in front of you.

These guys look like they are genuinely having the time of their lives up there, and it was so much fun to watch. Boyd and Dave jamming together.

They do a lot of jam breaks during the songs, which I find really fun. It's cool to see each individual member have their time to show off, and it's almost just as fun to watch the others' faces as they watch their friends killin' it. I appreciate the mutual respect they seem to have for each other.

After the show, Dave leaned over to autograph something for a guy that was standing two feet in front of me. I probably could've touched Dave's hand when he leaned over to grab it.

They played a lot of newer stuff that I'm not as familiar with, but the concert was still so much fun. I couldn't stop smiling and laughing. I think I'm ruined for all other concerts now. Front row or no row.

Gatsby Bachelorette Party

My friend Crystal Bland is getting married next month, so I went to a Great Gatsby-themed bachelorette party for her last week. We were supposed to come dressed up, and I was dreading it because I'm not a fan of dressing up and I had no appropriate clothing. I decided to just keep it pretty simple but amp it up with the accessories. I made a headband and wore some pearls that I already had. I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. We had a great time playing games and eating and celebrating Crystal!

Family Weekend 2014

This winter I was watching a video about a family who had spent a week at a lake, and they were talking about how much they loved being together and how their bonds had been strengthened. I decided it was time for us to start an annual tradition in our family. I pitched the idea to my family then researched a lot of places and found us this awesome lodge in southern Indiana on the Ohio River. We stayed for two nights and had a great time.

On the back there were two huge decks overlooking the river with five rocking chairs. We started a competition to see who could sit in a rocking chair the most over the course of the weekend, and I'm pretty sure Tessa won.

Dad brought fresh strawberries from Grandma's house

The only swimming available was a hot tub on the lower deck, since the river was pretty dirty.
The kids treated it just like a swimming pool.

Saturday afternoon we played badminton and volleyball and had a cartwheel contest. Dominika was killing it for being seven months pregnant.

Isaac

Jacob

Saturday night we had a fire and roasted marshmallows. I think this was most of the kids' favorite part of the weekend. We've got some pyromaniacs on our hands.

One of our favorite things to do was watch the boats and ships that went by on the river, especially the huge barges. This was especially fun when there was more than one barge at a time and they had to maneuver around each other. We decided this could very easily be turned into a reality show and it would be called "Barge Wars."* *trademark pending.

A sparkling end to a sparkling weekend.

Since this was our first time doing this, we spent some time at the end evaluating what we did and didn't like and what we would do differently next time. Overall, I was really happy with how well things turned out, and I think everyone had a great time. These are thirteen of my favorite people and I'm so happy I get to spend my life and eternity with them.

Summer So Far

Things that have happened since the end of May:

1. I bought a new car. It's a 2011 Chevy Cruze and I love it! It has bluetooth and remote start and XM radio and functioning windows and doors and it's so pretty! 

2. Kid time. I love being around them. This night they came home from their dad's before Tessa was home, and both Campbell and Cooper climbed right up on the couch and chair and went to sleep. I quickly got them up to brush their teeth before they fell too deeply asleep. They're so cute and so fun and I can't believe they're almost 5!

3. Summer thunderstorms. My favorite! Except, of course, when they rip the siding off your house. Tessa put her house up for sale in May and since then we've had lots of showings and inspections and appraisals. She's sold it, though, and found a house in Fishers so we'll be moving at the end of July.

4. Bishop's Storehouse. The Bishop's Storehouse is where the Church collects the food and goods that go to those in need. Our storehouse houses goods for the Indianapolis region plus most of the eastern United States. I volunteered there this month and was so overwhelmed by the level of organization involved. I feel honored to be part of a church that does such a great job of taking care of its own and others in the community, all because of the generous donations of members.

5. Waaaatermeeelon. I love this food, and I love that it's good for you. No personal serving necessary; just take the lid off the bowl and grab a fork.

6. Dieting. A couple weeks ago I started a diet that's really just a meal plan for eating healthier. Before I started, though, my friend Amy and I had to go out with a bang at Olive Garden.

7. Bowling. I'm still in a bowling league though I don't go very often. The first few times I was terrible, but the last couple times I've stepped up my game. This score sheet doesn't show the week before when I scored 113 in a game, thank you very much.

8. Sunsets. We have the best world. Really. And it's free. Heavenly Father shows His love for us on a daily basis with the beauty that surrounds us, and I'm touched every time I see a sky like this. He provides gorgeous surroundings with absolutely no cost to us. We are so loved.

9. Father's Day. I have an incredible dad. He's a wonderful example of love, consistency, hard work, faith, patience, and generosity. My interactions with him over the course of my life have strengthened my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its power to change us. He never stops seeking to improve and I have seen incredible growth in Him. He inspires me to keep working and trying to be better. He makes me feel loved and supported and he lets me know how proud he is of me. I love that and I love him.

10. Since I'm not working over the summer, I've had more time to work on family history. I was able to connect a few generations on my dad's side, thanks to my grandma and her sister. As I was exploring that line, I found that someone had connected it all the way back to Adam and Eve! I have no idea how that's even possible, and I'm sure there are plenty of errors, but there are birth and death dates all the back to 1624 B.C.! Also in that line: a queen of France, a queen of Italy, a king of Prussia, a king of Troy, and His Majesty Charlemagne himself. It's very clear that I am a princess.

11. Swimming. Last week Tessa bought a Groupon that granted admission for 8 people at a local pool. She invited me to come with her and the kids. I laid out for a while then got in with the kids and taught them how to play Marco Polo. We went to the deeper end and had races. I raced Emerson and her friend MaKayla (and won both times) and then we did some races with Cooper and Campbell on our backs. Some of us lounged and read a book. :)