No Christmas season is complete for me without seeing the Christmas lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Salt Lake for something and we quickly ran through, but didn't get the full effect, so I was excited to go back tonight. I'm pretty sure they are exactly the same every year and - every single year - it is cold beyond belief (tonight it was -157 degrees with the wind chill) but this visit is a yearly requirement. My dad had never seen the lights, so I figured it was time. We went with my Aunt Karen, Uncle Arnie and cousin Anganel (sorry Ang, I can't say that you're my favorite because other cousins read this blog!) and my favorite mom. Here's what we saw:
This has been a super great Christmas. I've loved hanging out with the fam and doing absolutely nothing today and I'm so glad that the weather cooperated and everyone was able to get where they were going safely. I really have the best family and I'm so thankful for them.
One of my favorite parts of today is an email I got from my very favorite family from my mission in Spain. I don't think I've talked about my mission on this blog before. I served in the Spain Las Palmas mission (Canary Islands) 100 years ago and loved it (okay, not every single day but I'm so glad I went). It really has blessed my life. Here's a pic that came with the email. I post it so I can (selfishly) see it often. This family is incredible!
Here is my Christmas present from Mattie...even he knows how cool I am! I'm still really bummed that I couldn't go to his show, but I'm slowly getting better!
So, I have a bone to pick with Mother Nature. I normally don't mind snow so much...at least when it's like this:
I like pretty snow. You know, the snow that falls slowly in big, fat flakes and covers all the ugly brown left over from fall. The kind of snow you watch from inside nestled by a warm fire, covered in a warm blanket with a cup of cocoa with marshmallows.
I do not like snow on the freeway:
I especially hate snow on I-15 that prevents me from going to Salt Lake to a Matt Nathanson concert that I had bought four tickets to and was super duper excited to attend with some fabulous friends. I don't like that kind of snow at all. I have had to re-think my decision of living in Utah many times today and have come to the conclusion that life might just be a little happier for me if I packed it all up and headed to Fiji. I think all my problems would be solved - the winter-related ones anyway. Here's why I love Mattie. He opened for Lifehouse in March. This was, hands down, the best concert of my life. At that time, I had only heard one Matt Nathanson song and I liked it okay. A whole new world opened up for me that night. Not only is Mattie a super talented singer/song-writer with amazing stage presence, but he is also super hilarious. Here's a taste:
My little bro Cade got to go to the show with a friend and - he tried not to rub it in - but he got to meet Mr. Nathanson and, even though he got me an autographed CD, I still feel jipped. I'm so sad that I couldn't go but I think I'll be okay. There will be other shows!
The best part of seeing Matt perform, aside from the fact that he's dang funny, is that he gets so into his music that he actually spits when he sings...no joke. And, my pals and I were right at the stage - in the splash zone! It was so funny and I didn't even think it was that gross. We've basically made out. That's how I look at it.
So, I'm a little embarrassed that it's taken me so long to post about the awesome Coldplay concert. It seriously was one of the very best shows I have ever seen. Definitely a night to remember! Of course, in typical Cali fashion, I took a zillion pictures, but how could I not? It's not everyday that I get to be front and center at a Coldplay concert. I had to document this amazing night! I was a little concerned that the photos wouldn't turn out too good. The camera that I won is nice, but it's hard to get good pics at a concert since it's so dark and there are random lights and so many people. I think these turned out okay though. I took my good pal Jennifer because she is the #1 Coldplay Fan (and, of course cuz she's super cool). She is seriously in love with them. It was fun to go with someone who's so dedicated! Her enthusiasm and excitement was definitely contagious. We met up with Bryan from the label. I got to hang out with him for awhile, then he got to babysit me at the stage. I guess they were worried that I would jump up and attack Chris Martin or something (I very well may have!) Bryan was super cool and had the most adorable dimples. What I loved most about him though is that he's good friends with Bryce, the bass guitarist for Lifehouse – one of my very favorite bands. I hinted about 50 times that it would be okay if he gave Bryce my phone#, but I still haven't received a call from him, so maybe he didn't get my not-s0-subtle hints! I got to be at the stage for three songs, and – as you can tell from the photos – Chris Martin came right by me! It was super cool. On his way back to the main part of the stage, he reached down and grabbed my hand. I'm just the luckiest girl! AND, he was so sweaty that my hand was totally wet…but I loved that too! I didn't even wipe it off! My time up front was done after that so Bryan led me back to the stands (after declining my offer to share some of Chris Martin's sweat with him) where I thanked him for the awesome experience (I may or may not have hugged him) then I ran to my seat so Jen could experience the essence of Chris Martin before my hand completely dried. Now, I realize just how disgusting it is that I had man sweat on my hand the whole night! Sick!
About an hour after they started playing, the whole band left the stage. Jen and I looked at each other and both said, "Is that it?" We were both trying to not be disappointed, but we were. A couple of minutes later, the whole band re-emerged from a random side portal and made their way up the stands to a mini stage that was set up in the middle of the audience. It was so cool. They sang 3 songs from there. They really are fantastic performers. I will definitely see them live again.
Jordan and her 'friend' Keaton came too, but they didn't sit with us. We had to wait awhile to get out of the parking garage, so we passed the time taking silly pictures…
We had a really great time. Can't wait till Coldplay comes again!
