And I saw her face . . . now I'm a Belieber!

Back in May, I bought tickets for Kelsey to see her first REAL concert (aside from her Stadium of Fire Concerts)-- to see Justin Bieber!

She said when she read my text, she screamed out loud in class and everyone turned around and stared at her!  

 When her daddy came home from work, I told her to give him the biggest hug because these tickets were NOT cheap but he was so happy to do that for her :)  Well, that was four months ago and FINALLY the day had come!

Kelsey's awesome cousins made these shirts (with help from my extremely creative sister, Melanie!) and they were seriously SO cute!  We arrived pretty early, hoping to catch a glimpse of Justin riding his segway or hanging out backstage.  

(We never saw him---but we saw all of his cool travel busses!)

Did I mention how glad I was that Kelsey wanted to go with ME?  I fought for those tickets online and I wanted to be the one sitting by her--not anyone else!  Kelsey has always been so good that way.

Kelsey cousins (l to r) Sydne, Rylie, and McKenna Fuhriman.  Her other cousins Maya and Nate LaDuke came too but they sat on the other side of the arena and with the huge crowds there, we never connected up!  Still we waved to them and it was SO fun having everyone there!

 I was in HEAVEN - hanging out with my cute daughter and her cousins!

They took a ton of silly pictures--getting ready to see JB!

The countdown started at ten minutes until JB came on stage and seriously, the last 10 seconds of the countdown, girls were screaming SO LOUDLY it was unbelievable!  I actually loved every second of it!

About 1/3 of the way through the concert, I noticed Justin bending over, hunched towards the back of the stage.  It was not a flattering position for him to be in, with his behind facing all of us.  Then, he stood up and ran off stage.  I told Kelsey, "I think JB is sick!"  Then, sure enough, the DJ said, "If you want Justin to come back out on stage, let me hear you make some noise!!!!"  Girls started screaming again and guys with towels came to clean up the stage.  Justin Bieber had actually thrown up on the stage!!  It was so sad.  Then, he came out and tried to sing again, but ran off stage, leaving all the audience members singing the song.  The music stopped, everything stopped---it was wierd.  We all guessed he was sick again.  So, after about 3 minutes, he came back out, apologized, and in a very professional way, asked the audience if he could finish giving them the best show of their lives!  

He did it and it was a true testament to what a professional performer he was and how much strength that takes to go on and sing and dance like that.  Really, we were so impressed! 

He got on this crane-like device that took him around the front of the audience so girls could get a better look at him!  

I have watched this video about 10 times now.  It just makes me smile seeing how happy Kelsey is with her cousins!

Before the show, I kept asking Kelsey if she wanted a t-shirt or anything and the only thing she wanted was this "Believe" hat that she saw a lot of girls wearing.  Well, that was a hot item and all the venue tables, once you got up to the front after waiting FOREVER, were sold out of that hat. I told Kelsey that we would probably have to order it online, but it's not as much fun as buying it and wearing it at the concert. So, we went back to our seats and munched on some french fries until Cody Simpson and Carly Rae Jeppson did the pre-show.  But, this mom didn't want to give up!  So, during the pre-show I went to ALL of the merchandise tables trying to find that hat.  No luck!!!!   But, one nice lady told me that if I came back during the concert, sometimes they re-stock the items that have been sold out.  Sooooo - sneaky me . . . . I left during the 4th song and went on a hunt for this prized hat for my little girl.  I found a table with 3 hats that had just been added and the lady two people in front of me bought 2 of them!  My heart started racing and I was praying that the girl right in front of me wasn't going to get that hat!!  Luckily, she only bought t-shirts.  So, when I was able to get the hat, I shoved it under my shirt and walked back to our seat with the biggest smile on my face, like I had just conquered something really great (it was just a hat, but you know, sometimes you'll do anything for your kids!)  After the song was over, I pulled it out and Kelsey just SCREAMED!  She was SO excited!!!

And I saw her face . . . now I'm a Believer!!  (or a Belieber? ha ha!) either way, it was a night we will never forget!!

Fun Fourth Filled with Frolic and Faves!

Well, my Fourth of July week started out on a sad note . . . I decided to cancel my yearly exodus to Utah and stay home to help get our business ready to open.  For the past 10 years I have made my way to Utah and enjoyed the beautiful weather and summer thunderstorms.  (LOVE those!)  But this year, I just had to make a choice and even though I missed seeing Kelsey dance in Stadium of Fire (for her 5th year in a row) I have been incredibly busy and am glad I was here to help.  

Ever since Kelsey was a little girl, we had this little "thing" that I would say, "My Kelsey" and she would say, "My Mommy."  I am so glad that she hasn't gotten sick of that or too old for that!

 I went looking for Hailey the morning after Kelsey left and I found her asleep in Kelsey's bed.  She said, "Mom, I just feel safe in Kelsey's room.  (very insightful!) Plus, she has a really soft, fuzzy orange pillow!!

 Kohler had some friends over this week from his EFY group.  This one, in particular, has caught his eye.  She is a doll!  We absolutely LOVE her!!!  Her name is Lexi.  She helped Hailey make brownies!

 Since I have always been out of town for the 4th, I didn't have any decorations.  Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?  So, check out these awesome fabric lanterns that I found at Rod Works for only $5!  

 Yummy Red, White, and Blue Crepe Breakfast!  Oh yeah . . .

 My awesome helpers getting our food ready for the big party!

 I was super excited when Tim, my hilarious brother in law, called to see what we were doing on the 4th.  He lives up in Scottsdale and his wife and kids are up in Utah (with Kelsey!).  I am SO glad he called us because it was so much fun having one of my "faves" with us on the 4th of July.  Speaking of faves, Tim is the biggest fan of deviled eggs and Mountain Dew I have ever seen.  Of course I had to have those for him!

 Another one of my "faves" - my awesome sister, Melanie (here in one of her signature goofy poses! ha ha!) - has her birthday on the 4th of July!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!!

Kohler's EFY company got SO close during EFY that they named a Facebook page after their group, "GOT SERVED."  They keep in touch and all got together for a party at our house on the 4th.  It was awesome!  They are all amazing kids and we LOVED having them over.

 Of course, we broke out the ice and made a TON of shave ice for them!

Lexi and her awesome friend, Rachel!

 I am so thankful to live in a country where we can get together with family and friends without soldiers or guards asking us where we are going or what we are doing.  I am thankful that I can fly my nation's flag outside my home with pride for what it stands for.  I love this nation and am so thankful to all of the men and women who, on a daily basis, strive to protect that freedom for me and my family.  We are so truly blessed!