I Went to Utah This Weekend! And Met Some Strangers... But Strangers No More!

I am home from my greatly anticipated Utah trip. Both to meet new friends and to shop shop shop. I did both.

We got off to a little bit of a late start Friday and were ten minutes late to dinner. I was very very nervous because I didn't know what to expect. AND I was late to my own meet and greet. Walking in with everyone staring at me... But really, I don't think anyone noticed me until I sat down. I had to do some convincing that I really was who I said I was. They still didn't believe until Jaren walked in and they recognized HIM. I did feel a little bad. No one brought their husband so Jaren was sitting by himself in the corner. We might have scared him a little with our loud, blunt, unabashed conversations. Kidding. He wasn't scared.

Just maybe a little.

My sister, Lindsey was with me as well and she still doesn't think she has anything to blog about.

I sat next to Mary and Jaren. Across from Teresa, Jo and Ramona. I really wish we had a round table. I think next time I'll ask for a HUGE booth so we can all be in the same conversation. At the other side of the table was Kristina, Christa, Jillene, and Amber and her very cute little boy. Everyone was so great and funny and I loved loved loved the evening. We talked and talked and talked. Finished eating our food, then went outside to take some pictures and then talked and talked and talked. Then moved over to my car where we gave out some potatoes and then talked and talked and talked some more until I could hear some throat clearing behind me (my little sister... we were supposed to take her to Provo and we needed to be there by 9:30 and it was almost 9). So I said goodbye.. tears almost fell and then we left.

I hope to be able to get together with as many people as possible whenever I come to Utah. I really enjoyed it. It was so nice putting faces and more personality with blogs. Kristina was as great as she is on her blog. I wish I could have been able to talk to her more. Jillene was so nice and funny and I also wished I could have talked to her more. Amber came in a little late (she was packing to move that night and was able to slip away for a social visit) and I didn't really get to officially meet her until after/during dinner and she is great. Think I can get her to move to Rexburg? Christa sat two seats away from me and I wasn't able to chat with her. I really hope I get to next time! Jo and Teresa were blogs I hadn't seen yet and they came. I'm so glad they did because they were both awesome. Jo made me laugh quite frequently. I talk about Ramona and Teresa further down.

I was hoping Mary would be looking ahead and then I would unexpectedly try to get a picture of us together... since she's now famous. But she turned her head! How will ANYONE believe I met famous bloggers! Oh... the pictures that are below are proof. Few.



I was able to get Jillene to smile for me (not that it was hard) for this BEAUTIFUL picture. Jo had this great stress relieving technique where you just stab a ball of wool with a really really sharp needle. Actually.. it makes little things after you poke it enough times. At first I was skeptical, but then I saw the end product.




Mary didn't even want to poke the wool. I tried to force her hand but for some reason she didn't trust me. Like I was going to stab her finger... why would I do that? To get a drop of your blood to wear in a locket? KIDDING! Your face is priceless.



Kristina tried it too. Really. It's amazing none of us stabbed our fingers.



These two giggle twins were talking about Ramona's charms and I took a picture. I really do hope they were serious with their Rexburg trip talk. They got me all feeling like someone really did love me and would drive all the way here just to see me (they even thought I was 6 hours away! 3-4 silly.. depending on if your in Provo or Salt Lake). Teresa was great. A new blogging friend - thanks for bringing her Ramona! I got to sit across from these two... so funny. Ramona was funny and told us about her Giraffe story from the Zoo in Idaho Falls. Did you know how badly I wanted to go on an African Safari? I've mentioned it on here before somewhere.



Jo had an amazing camera. She let me man handle it (how trusting) and take pictures. I had so much fun with it. I showed it to Jaren and he said... "how much?" Kinda like.. do YOU have a job? Yeah.. didn't think so. I think I'll have to save my money again and instead of buying clothes... I'll buy one of those.


Here we all are. Except Christa. She had to bail out early.. something about how horrible I was in person.. or was it that I smelt? Or was it that her cute little boy was tired? I didn't get to find out. We are all evil with red eyes. My Kodak thingy isn't working so I can't get rid of the red eye. I'm going to leave the professional pictures to Jo and Amber. Oh.. wait.. I think the only one she got of me was of me shoving a mouthful of salad in my mouth... dang.


Jaren and I went on a walk this morning while waiting for my sister Lindsey to be dropped off to us by Lisa (cousin) and found this. Who knows about this house? It's above the conference center and the Temple. I can't believe how huge, beautiful, amazing, manicured, AMAZING it is! Who lives there? I've told Jaren that when we are millionaires (hah) someday and have given all of our potatoes away we are buying those people out of that house. I want it! How have I never seen it before.... I just can't figure it out.



Remember THIS post? I found the shoes at DSW! (thanks for introducing me Kristina.. it really was shoe heaven. I was only able to get two pairs.. but I'm going back next month) They were cheaper. I got so excited I had to have Jaren take a picture, but we were afraid we were going to get into trouble so I dropped down, he held the camera at his belly and the only thing I could think of was Kristina's profile Twilight deceiving picture (did you know she HATES Twilight?? I didn't. But I do now). So I posed. I think next time I go, I'm going to buy them. I LOVE them. I don't care if they look like hooker heels.


I shopped and got some great stuff. I'm going to get all dressed up for school tomorrow and take a picture. I'll try to post it tomorrow. All in all this was a VERY fun weekend and I hope to get to do it again.