Am I Crazy?

Ok, so I was just looking online for Jazz tickets against the Celtics on Saturday. I found some RIGHT behind the scorers table for $1100 per ticket. I'm seriously considering buying one for myself. But, it seems like quite a bit of money to dish out. So, if I were to follow through with this, I hope that none of you will think I should be committed to the looney bin.

I have a lot running through my mind. So I apologize in advance if this post seems a little scatter brained.

First off, I just want to give a shout out to my 2 cousins, Peter & Jenn. Thanks for being my blogging buddies. For Christmas, I am putting all of my dad's old photos into albums and I ran across this one. I just thought it was cute and it reminded me of all the fun Thanksgivings we had down at your house. The picture quality isn't really all that great but oh well. I have another really cute one of Grandpa & Grandma that I'll send to ya'll. And one of Chrissi going to a prom. It's classic.

Another thing that I've been thinking about lately is how in tune our Heavenly Father is with our lives. I worked on Tuesday, up in SLC at and orthodontic office for those of you who don't know, and as I was leaving I noticed I was a little low on gas. I had plenty enough to get home, but for some reason I felt that I needed to get more. As I was pulling out of the parking lot, at the last minute I decided to turn right to go to the gas station instead of turning left to get on the freeway. I filled up and then got on the road. Traffic was busy like normal all through the Salt Lake Valley. I called my mom and told her that I'd be home in about 20 min. But, then as I got to point of the mountain, cars were starting to slam on their breaks, and soon traffic was at a stand still. After about 10 minutes of this, I turned on the traffic radio and heard that there was an accident at the bottom of the hill in Lehi, meaning that it was over the hill from where I was currently stuck. Unfortunately there was no exit between me and the crash so I was going to be there for a while. Luckily, I have a really good Christmas mix in the car. That kept me occupied for about the first hour of sitting there. I called my mom and told her what was going on, and then called and chatted with a few people. But, after about 1 1/2 hours I was getting restless, and my water bottle was empty. I sat there patiently, knowing that this would soon all be over. And then suddenly it hit me. If I hadn't stopped to get gas, I would have completely run out while sitting in all of this traffic. It seemed like such a silly little thing to me. But as I thought about it I realized how blessed I am to have a loving Father in Heaven who cares about every part of my life. This little lesson reminded me of the importance of being in tune with the Spirit and following the promptings that we get from the Holy Ghost. So, next time you think you should get gas, just do it. Cause it might just take you 2+ hours to make a 45 minute trip.

Happy Birthday Gabrielle!!!

I can't believe that our little Gabby is turning 12!!! It seems like just yesterday that she was born. Gabs was/is the cutest little girl. She has the biggest, bright blue eyes and a great laugh. She is always good for a hug, and will always be our baby. I love you little Moj.

Gabby is an amazing swimmer. She has been on the swimteam at the club since she was 5.

This is back in our Spice Girl era when we used to put on concerts in the backyard. Gabby was always Baby Spice.
Gabby & Daddy. How could you not be in love with this little girl??

These are a few of the things I love about the Gabster:

-She has numberous nicknames including: Gabby, Babby, Gabster, Gabel, Gabriel, Little Moj

-When she was little she would say her name "Gabielle Dastina Dakin"

-She would always say "I not gouchy" when she was being a grump

-She never wanted anyone to look at her, and would tell my mom "theys looking at me"

-She always is willing to tag along with her older sisters

-She's the sweetest little girl I've ever met, and is so kind to everyone.

-

Christmas Vacation

Every year before Christmas we go up to Salt Lake for the weekend. We always stay at the Grand America (very luxury) for the night and go see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform on Sunday morning. It's our family's Christmas tradition. It is really just great to get into the Chritmas spirit.
My dad surprised me with tickets to go to the Jazz game against Seattle on Saturday night. Luckily the Jazz won, and we had a fun time.
Sunday morning we went to Music and the Spoken Word with the Choir, and then the did about an hour long performance after that. President Hinckley and the First Presidency were there. It is so incredible, because when he walks into the confernce hall, there is an unearthly silence that falls over the crowd. Every one stops talking and you can literally hear a pen drop. It is so amazing just to be in the presence of a prophet of God. It's a feeling I can hardly even begin to describe, just a sense of peace. It was so wonderful to be able to go to the performance and be uplifted by the great spirit found there.
After that we rode the trax back to the hotel and had lunch in the cafe. And then we went up to the room and chilled a little before coming back home.
It was just a really fun weekend. It was great to be able to spend time with the family and also to get into the Christmas spirit.



Jacquline and I chillin at the Grand getting ready for the big game.

Camille being....................awkward. What a surprise.

Gabby is turning 12 and is just entering the awkward stage, hence the unfortunate photo.

Hamming it up for the camera.

D. Will's introduction. Like he even needs one.

Me, Jac, and Padre at the game.

D. Will working on defense.

Jacko and I at the conference center. This is right before the old lady next to us is like "I don't think you're supposed to use cameras in here." To which I respond: "Whatever, it's just not during the performance."

Our view of the choir. And, yes this was during rehersals.

The family in front of the Temple.

Eating lunch at the hotel. Either something is wrong with the flash, or I need to get to a tanning bed asap.

I'm pretty sure that there is only one word to explain this photo....awkward.

The view of downtown SLC from our room.

I think this is the old library. You can't see the U on the mountain because there is snow, but at night it is lit up and flashes between red and white. Luxury. BYU does not have that.

I've been tagged - 7 things about me

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your blog post, and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ok, here we go. This should be interesting.

1. I ablsolutely love the Utah Jazz, especially Deron Williams. It brings me such joy to just sit and watch them play, and hopefully win. Hopefully I'll get to go to the game against Seattle on saturday. I'd be one very happy girl.

2. I have a slight obsession with Dooney & Bourke. I haven't counted, but between the purses, watches, shoes, umbrellas, and luggage, we have to have at least 50!!

3. I still really, really like the Backstreet Boys. Ok, yeah, most of them are married and what not, but I do love to listen to their music. Millenium is by far my favorite album, and I could listen to "I want it that-a way" over and over again. Now, Peter I know you will make fun of me for this, but I don't care. Don't try and pretend like you don't have a little BSB or NSYNC on your iPod.

4. My parents are my best friends. I am basically the female version of my dad and we see everything in the same way. I know that I can always go to him for advice and after talking will know exactly what I need to do. He always makes sure that I am happy. And, I don't know many other dads who spoil there daughters like my dad does. Hello, I was driving a Porsche at 16. Most importantly my dad trusts me. He has taught me well, and now knows that I will make good decisions. And my mom is one of the most giving people I have ever met. She never complains, and is always willing to help people out no matter what. I know that I sometimes give her crap about all the volunteering that she does, but it is really such a good example to (a somewhat selfish) person like me. I love nothing more than to spend the day hanging out with my mom. I really don't know what I am going to do when I move to go to dental school. I might just have to take both of them with me.

5. I'm bossy. I know this must be absolutely shocking!!!! But, I think this just comes with being the oldest. A lot of the time I don't even mean to be bossy, it just happens. I don't think that I would be as bossy if everyone around me could just read my mind and do exactly what I wanted them to do, it's not all that hard people. I've been talking (like completely) since before I was 1 and bossing people, mostly my poor mother, around. This is something that I am constantly trying to work on. It's just not that easy.

6. I love sprinkles. I think that they are just so much fun, and brighten up any situation. I really just like to look at them. When I get married I am going to have a cake covered in sprinkles.

7. Sharing is caring. I like to borrow, with the intention of returning, things from my sisters. They like to say that I steal. This is definately not the case. I just think that with 4 girls in the house we should share things. I think the main problem is that I don't like to share in return. Oh well.

I tag: Amy, Andres, Ciera, Peter (update your freakin blog), and Susan

I'm gonna take "Astrology"

So, I'm done with finals. Thank goodness. Only one more semester to go. I have lots of things running through my head that will amount to some good blogs over the break. And, I have been tagged, courtesy of my cousin Jenn Jenn, so I know all of you will be wanting to read that. I didn't go to sleep last night. It was rather unluxury, I guess that is the price to be paid for not studying when I was supposed to. But, Jacqueline came down around 11 last night and we had a conversation that goes a little something like this.

Danielle: What classes are you taking next semester?

Jacqueline: English, Math, and I'm taking Astrology for my physical science credit, Madison said it's a good class.

D: Astrology?? What exactly is that?

J: It's like where you learn about stars and stuff.

D: Oh really, that's interesting. Do you perhaps mean ASTRONOMY??

J: What?

D: Astrology is like tarot cards, and palm readings and horoscopes. Duh.

J: Haha. Oh wow. But, that would be really awesome if it was like today we will be reading the lines in each others hands, and you were like, tomorrow you will meet the man of your dreams, but oh no, today you will die. Hahaha.

D: You're retarded.

Ok, so it was probably a lot funnier if you were there. But, I just thought I would share this little insight and give a shout-out to my little sis. I know I don't tell you this often, and I still don't like to hug you, but I love you, and you're one of my favorite people to hang out with.

What?????

I am supposed to be studying for finals. Instead I was on YouTube and found this hilarious video. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's just.......................................Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!
I don't know how to put it on here, but here is the link. Believe me, you want to watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSbL8VqAje8

Random Insights

These are just a couple of things that I felt I needed to comment on. Just some of my observations. Please enjoy.

-Yesterday I saw a woman breast feeding her baby while driving. I just don't quite understand. Is it really that necessary? Can you not pull over for 5 minutes to feed your child? Not only are you putting your life and your baby's at risk, you are endangering all of those on the road around you. If any of you ladies are ever tempted to do this, please refrain. It's just plain disturbing.

-There is a stereotypical look in Utah Valley. I'm convinced that there is a factory on the other side of the lake that produces girls with big hair, fake tans, nasty makeup, fake nails and fake boobs. I saw two such specimans today. They walked into a store within minutes of each other. Both were wearing jeans tucked into furry boots, and puffy jackets with fur trim. Each had very fake extensions in barrel curls, and had a slight orange glow emitting from their epidermis. I am usually very observant about the current "trend" down in Happy Valley and usually try to avoid it at all costs.

-I'm totally OCD. I love to buy things just to have them. This is a big problem when it comes to any sort of cosmetics. I love make-up, hair products, and basically anything you'd find at Bath & Body or Sephora. I have complete, expensive make-up sets that I have only used once. I wish they had some kind of support group I could join, but I doubt that it would help. I should probably only be allowed to visit Nordstrom twice a year, and even then only be allowed to stay for 1 hour.

-My boys are having a very hard roadtrip. D. Will is playing incrediby well everynight, and walks off the floor after every loss looking very disappointed. It's as if they're playing a 2 man show with D. Will and Booze. Somebody else needs to step up on a consistant basis. Every now and then Okur will have a good night, but there needs to be another go to man. My poor Deron cannot make every play happen. As I'm typing this they are getting slaughtered by the Mavs, despite the valient effort from Deron.

-On the same note, I seriously cannot miss watching a game. I feel panicked whenever I miss a game. I feel like they need me to be watching and cheering them on. Crazy, I know. I'm concerned because there is a game against Portland on Tuesday night and I have 2 finals Wednesday morning, the first one being at 7 am. Hopefully this will be one of the games that Comcast puts on On Demand so that I can watch it the next day.

-I am not meaning for this to become a Jazz post but, I vote for D. Will everyday on nba.com to be in the All-Star game. If any of you feel so inclined to do so as well, I, along with Deron would greatly appreciate it.

-My BMW has issues. I swear that beemers are pre-programmed to start falling apart after 100,000 miles. I love my car, but I am sick and tired of it being retarded. I think that the brilliant people of BMW of Pleasant Grove have finally diagnosed the problem, after having the car there for the second time in a month. At first they said it was a bad battery, but after placing a brand new battery and having the exact same thing happen, they now say it's a starter. And of course since it's a beemer, it's expensive to fix. Whatever. I'm driving the Escalade in the mean time so I'm not going to complain.

-I love the song Soulja Boy. I know it's tacky and I don't understand all of the words but, it's just a fun song to listen to and blare really loud while cruisin in the Caddy.

-I love the smells of Christmas, especially evergreens.

-I quit drinking Diet Coke this summer. It really wasn't that big of a deal but last week when I was on tour I swear I had like 10. But, I'm back to water now so I'm not concerned.

-Last basketball post, I promise. I love the NBA commercials where they show still shots of different games and such, with the headline " Where ____ happens" and then fill in the blank with different pics (like Steve Nash's bloody nose) or words like commitment. I find them to be very motivational.

-Ok that's all for now. D. Will has single-handedly resurrected the Jazz. The game is really close and I must give it my full attention.

Eastern Adventures

Well ya'll, I'm back. I truly had a wonderful time on the Christmas tour. Let me preface this post by showing the reason I have yet to post about my wanderings. I seriously haven't been home since I got home. haha. My room is an utter disaster, and my bathroom looks as if Sephora just exploded.

If you know me well, you know that I am completely OCD about keeping my room clean and organized. The fact that my living quarters look like that of a typical college student is very disappointing. So before I started to blog about my trip I just had to clean my room. Seriously I was unable to function with it being so messy.

Being the total spazz that I am, I completely forgot to take pictures until the third day into the trip. So I'm sorry that there aren't more.

I flew into Minneapolis on Thursday morning. I was lucky that the flight was fairly empty so that I could lay down and sleep on the plane for a few hours. The airport was really rather luxury. I met up with the driver, who totally had my name on a paper (how professional) and Marie's manager. Then we had a 2 1/2 hour drive to the "Grand Casino" in Onamia. It wasn't really all that grand. hehe. Let me just say that I have never been as cold as I was when I was in MN. I am always cold, and usually chatter my teeth. But, the bitter cold in MN left me with the fear of chipping a tooth and having my lungs freeze over. I met up with Marie and the kids and they did a rehersal. Then we just hung out for the rest of the night because the kids clothes were lost at the airport so they couldn't perform. We had to be up and in the car at 3:30 the next morning to drive back to Minneapolis to catch a 7 am flight to Philadelphia.

I loved flying into Phili cause the airport is right next to down town. I got to see everything as we landed. We met up with the tour bus, which is very luxury, and then had a 5 hour drive to Shippensberg, PA. After the show that night, we drove all night to Atlantic City, NJ. When I woke up in the morning we were at the Trump Marina hotel. Everyone was still asleep so I did some homework for a little bit, and when the 2 little girls woke up we went up to our room. The only word to describe the room is LUXURY. Come on did you really expect me to use anything else. haha.

We spent all day Saturday at the hotel, just hanging out, ordering room service and watching movies. Later in the afternoon we went down to Marie's room. The little girls took a nap and I helped her get ready for an Entertainment Tonight interview. It was great to get to catch up with her. I'm still in awe of all that she is able to do. She is an amazing mother and example. She has an amazing testimony of the Gospel and is really just an all around good, genuine person. I hope that one day when I'm a mother, I'll be able to have 1/2 the compassion, love and understanding for my children that she has for hers.

After the show in NJ we drove all night to Van Wert, Ohio. It was a very small town. Again, we just chilled at the venue all day, did the show that night and then drove to Chicago. We were supposed to fly home to the SLC at 12 but our flight got cancelled and moved to 4. So while everyone slept I did homework. We finally made it out of Chicago, but only after a couple of temper tantrums from the 5 year old who wanted her mommy. We were quite the sight to be seen going through security, but luckily is wasn't anything that a happy meal from McD's couldn't cure. Luckily she slept for most of the 3 hour plane ride.

We finally made it to the airport and got into the van for the ride home. While driving down I-15, we were all talking about how much we disliked living in Utah, and how we didn't want to be back. Rachael started singing the "Utah" song that most elementary students learn here in about 4th grade. The original words are: Utah! People working together Utah! What a great place to be. Blessed from Heaven above. It's the land that we love.This is the place!" But, during the course of the ride home we managed to change the words and come up with pretty funny song: Utah! People judging each other. Utah! BYU as can be. Knee shorts and Undertease. Don't talk 'bout birds or bees. This ain't no place!" Hahahaha. It was all in good fun and we all had a really good laugh.

It was great to get away for the weekend, especially right before finals. It was also good to get to hang out with the older kids. They were basically my best friends growing up, and it was fun to get to catch up with them. They are all great and a lot of fun to hang around.

I promise that I will post more regularly. (Peter, this is just for you, so you can spend more government funds wasting time.)

Apparently I don't know how to add pictures on here in the order I want to, and since a particular cousin of mine won't return my phonecalls with my blog questions, I guess I'll just post the pics on facebook, so check them out on there.