The Madonna Concert

One thing I wanted to do in my life was go to a Madonna concert. My dreams came true on October 3rd. I have been a huge fan forever! I know all her songs and love all of them. Her music make me feel great! I remember when I was pregnant with Kaiya and living in Arizona. I would listen to her song titled Little Star and I would think about having a baby girl. That song will always remind me of being pregnant with Kaiya. Good memories of being excited to have my first little baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_fRqMiCXEg

Another memory is of the song - Don't Tell Me. I listened to this song when I was going through a really rough time in my life. I was with my ex and we were living with my aunt and uncle. I would put on my headphones and listen to this album to put me in a better place. It would allow me to not focus on what was going on.

Madonna's Hard Candy album reminds me of when I met Cirdan. Kaiya was 3 and she also loved listening to this album. She would sing along and make me proud. Ha ha. I have a clip on youtube of her singing and dancing to Madonna. That album brings back good memories.

Her latest album is one that will remind me of Ella. Ella loves singing and dancing to the songs. On her 4th birthday we played - Birthday Song - over and over and over. She thought that song was written for her. It was really cute.

My cousin Steph wanted to go with me. This was the first time going out since Cannon was born. I was nervous but knew that Cirdan could handle it at home. Steph met me at my house, we took a pre picture and headed into Seattle.

I had heard that Madonna didn't go onto stage until 10:30 the night before but didn't want to trust that it would happen again so we still got there around 7:00 and waited. To me it was worth the wait.

While we waited we took some pictures. This wasn't even half of them. It may look like we are vain...but we aren't. Or at least I am not. Ha ha Steph....

She had a little too much to drink....

just kidding

This one reminds me of the Christmas story when he swears in slow motion. Steph doesn't swear though...

There were some people that dressed up. Here are some of the freaks.

Madonna's 7 year old son opened up with the DJ Martin Solvang. It was really cute.

And here she is....

LOVED her!!

I think it is awesome that she is 54 and still dancing the way she does.

The last song she did was my favorite of the night. She changed out of her heels to some tennis shoes, danced and had fun.

After the concert we had to wait in the parking garage a while because of all the traffic. We were bored and took some more pictures. Like I said....we aren't vain.

What an amazing night!!

Arizona - Day 5 & 6

Guess what??? MORE pool pictures!!

Ella really wanted to go over and play with the big girls in the other pool. Cirdan bought her a life jacket so she could. She loved it!

Water slide

We realized on the last day at the pool that they sell inflatable toys there for only a few dollars. DUH!!!

Mr. Turtle hat

Cool guys

love them

Jett kept doing this and he would walk around the pool like that. It was entertaining.

Ready...Set....

Go!

doing tricks

and falling after....

This unfortunately was our last day at the pool.

We wanted to do something fun so we took the kids to go see a movie, Hotel Transylvania. After dinner we went to Rainforest Cafe. Jett loved the animals! The elephants were his favorite.

There was a carousal at the mall. So we had to take a ride.

Last day in Az

Say goodbye to shorts Cannon. It will be a while before you can wear them again.

He had such cute summer clothes that were barely worn. So sad.

We had a little balcony out of our hotel with a table and chairs.

We walked past this fountain whenever we got on the elevator up to our room. Jett loved the water.

The kids were great and we only saw faces like this a few times.

Our side of the hotel

I took a picture of this house that we could see from the parking lot. I took the picture because the bellman was saying someone lives there for half a year. That will be me one of these years. :)

I love cactus. I told Kaylee I would pay her if she sat on one. She wouldn't go for it.

I booked the flight later in the afternoon so that we could have the morning to take our time and not have to rush. The hotel said that we had to check out at 11:00 so we had time to kill. We drove around Phoenix before heading to the airport. It was very strange to drive downtown, in the middle of a work day. There was hardly anyone down there. It was very different from Seattle. It was really like a ghost town. Cirdan and I were shocked!

We got to the airport with plenty of time. If anyone knows me...I am kind of high strung. I like to arrive at the airport and have time to sit and relax before feeling all the stresses on the airplane. The first security line we stood through took a while. It was super slow. A worker came through talking to us welcoming us back from Mexico. I was confused but thought he was kidding or something. We finally got up to the guy checking our ID and he told us that we were in the wrong security line! We had wasted so much time. Grrrr. We headed over to the correct one and went through the family security line which went really fast. As soon as we got to our gate Cirdan went to go grab some food. We sat across from the gate since there was a little table for the kids to sit at. Some time went by and a few of us had to use the restroom. Kaiya wanted to go to the store to get some Arizona things. I took the girls and we hung out at the stores for a bit. I thought we had about an hour or so still...while we walked back I saw Cirdan with Jett and he looked rushed to go to the bathroom. He looked panicked. I asked him what the problem was and he said we were boarding! Jett was poopy! I looked over at our gate and   I only saw the tail end of the people. I almost died!!! The girls and I grabbed our stuff, threw away the garbage and ran get on the plane. I had my ticket and knew I had someone else's. Thankfully I had Ella's. Kaylee and Kaiya stood out waiting for Cirdan while I told the guy we were late and missed the family check in and I have Cirdan and another kid that were also coming. He could tell I was freaking out inside and was nice enough to walk Ella, Cannon and I past all the people so we could get on the plane. He helped fold up the stroller and everything. So nice! There was only 3 rows of seats open and at the back of the plane. I grabbed one row for Cannon, Jett, Cirdan and I and then had Ella sit in the row behind and put her bag to save a seat for Kaiya and Kaylee. It was so close!! That is so not like me to be so rushed. I hated every second of it! I can tell you that it will never happen again. If Cirdan thought I was high strung before...he hasn't seen anything yet. Ha ha

Grandma always knows what to say

I got this letter from my Grandma a few months ago.  She's so sweet and always knows how to cheer me up.  She knows me all too well....the threats of being disowned keep me going!  Whatever you say Grandma!  I'll jump off a bridge if it means gaining your approval!!  In all seriousness this is why politics is so beautiful.  It divides us as a country and as families.  Wonderful!  hahaha...My Grandma is hilarious.  She's dead serious too.  She would disown me if I vote for Obama.  You think she may be a little opinionated? Just a tad :)  If you need a good laugh, don't hesitate to come back and read it again in a week or a month.  It's good for a laugh every time.  Love you Grandma :) 

And for the record, I'm voting for  

Making Me Proud

When Cirdan, Kaiya and I went to Kaiya's open house at school in September we walked into her classroom and saw this on the wall....

I glanced at it. Then I did a double take. Then I re-read it and realized my eyes weren't deceiving me. She had spelled her name wrong!! Her last name ends with an O not an A. I started to laugh and asked Kaiya to read it. It took her a minute and then she said, "oh yeah!!!! I thought it looked weird!!!!" Crazy girl. This is one that will be kept forever for sure.