Look What the Stork Brought!

World,

Say hello to Harlee Joy.

My new niece who came 2 weeks early!

 Isn't she sweet?

Dear Harlee,

I can't wait to come hold you and sing you lullabies.

 love,

 Holli

The Magic Dragonfruit

What's the peculiar thing about Dragon Fruit??

 

Possibly everything.

Oh. . . Asian exotic fruit withdrawals.

Custard Apple

Rambutan

Mangosteen

Lychee

and yes.

 I'd even take a Durian right now.

Dexter

A few nights ago, I watched the most touching program on Animal Planet about a dog who rescues his master. After the woman fell 60 ft while running in a canyon, the dog ran to get help, and then guided a group of search & rescue men back to his injured master. This made me think of my ol' childhood dog, Dexter. This chow/German Shepard mutt was the smartest dog I ever knew. One day, my sister and I were babysitting, and we couldn't find my (at the time) four year-old brother, Skyler. We searched everywhere, but to no avail. We ended up in the backyard, and in a fit of helpless panic we turned to our perceptive canine and his instinctive search & rescue abilities. "Dexter!! Go Find Skyler!!" we pleaded. Without hesitation Dexter dashed into our house and led us to Skyler, who was peacefully sleeping under his bed amongst a medley of action figures. I remember my childish awe at this feat, that Dexter had actually understood us. "Good boy, Dexter!! Good boy!" It could've been a tender scene from Homeward Bound.

Just a girl and her dog. I recently found this polaroid of Dexter and I when we were both youngsters. It always makes me sentimental when I look at it. I really did love that dog.

Stealth. Wealth. Happiness.

Last night's grocery run to Smith's was a winner; however, this endeavor was not won precisely by the rules in the books. You see, for anyone who has had an Izze, you know sparkling fruit juice can't get any more divine. Likewise, you know with a rainbow of options-- grapefruit, pomegranate, clementine, blueberry, etc.-- it is almost impossible to choose only one flavor. This becomes even more difficult when Smith's sells them in cases of four according to flavor. Now I'm not usually one to brew mischief over a bad case of indecision, but by some conniving scheme I crept through the self check-out and returned home with this curiously multi-colored assortment of fruit drinks:

Man, I'm stealthy.

I also returned home with this microplush blanket, which is both dreamy and on sale at Smith's (if you were wondering). Snuggie, you can eat your heart out! This is all I need.

I felt like this was a good moment for me.

P.S.

Don't tell Smith.

Baby Kate

Baby Kate is finally here.

My sister, Tricia, had her baby on the tenth, and she is just precious.

I wish I could be in Houston to hold her, but for now, all I have is this picture. . .

Hi lil' Kate! I can't wait to meet you.

Rockin' the Holidays with Alice Cooper & Co.

This past two weeks has been the holiday break of rock shows, and it all started with Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding Concert. After winning a contest to perform at the Dodge Theatre with Alice Cooper, my extremely talented little brother scored me a backstage pass to join in the VIP fun. I can't express how cool it was back there! Here's Sky and I chilling backstage in the realm of the rockers. I've never felt cooler wearing a lanyard.

There were seriously 80s rockers and performers walking around right and left. Here's a picture that I took of the band with the bassist of Megadeth. TJ (in the plaid) is completely starstruck. He can't even take his eyes off him for the picture.

 

Brian watching the show from side-stage.

 

The finale with Alice Cooper, a myriad of 80s rockers, and fake snow everywhere.

The finale of the concert with Alice and friends. A few people visible in this pic: Alice Cooper, Singer from Nitro, Dee Snider from Twisted Sister, singer from Warrant, and many others. Lita Ford is on the stage somewhere as well. Oh, and who's THAT?!? How did I get on the stage during the finale???

Hello Dodge Theatre!!!!

You butter believe it!

The boys with Dee Snider from Twisted Sister right after he performed.

"WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT!!!"

Group shot with Alice Cooper.

Being backstage with Alice Cooper and all the 80s rockers was very much like Wayne's World. Alice even sat down and discussed the history of Phoenix with us in his dressing room. I tried to play it cool, but we were undeniably starstruck. . . "We're not Worthy!!!!"

This was such a crazy night. There's nothing better than hearing Alice Cooper's grundgy "School's Out" live right after I finished my finals. School's out FOREVER!!! (I wish). The whole show was so fun and the Buskin' Cuffs (my lil' brother's band) did awesome as well. They got a huge applause, signed autographs, and even got a blurb in a review of the concert in the Phoenix New Times. "Proof is in the Pudding winners Buskin Cuffs, who are all under 18, were better than most of the acts on stage." Here's a vid of the boys rockin' the Dodge Theatre. . .

 While I was home I basically got to see all of my favorite local bands: What Laura Says, Black Carl, Kinch, Dear and the Headlights, and Miniature Tigers. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present from my hometown sweethearts.

And Finally. . .

On New Year's Eve I returned to the Fiesta Bowl Block party where I saw Styx as the world welcomed 2009. This year, I experienced the Doobie Brothers! This is what the New Year looked like down at the block party on Mill Ave. . .

My mom even came so that Skyler could be escorted into the 21+ areas by a legal guardian.

What an rockin' break that was. What an amazing year it has been. I've done so many things I never even dreamed were possible. Now I'm just stoked to see what Twenty-Ten has in store.

2010! Let's do it AGAIN!!!!

Bye Nathan!

After two years of insane surgeries on his ankle, Nathan finally gets two years to be Elder Udall. He's a real trooper, and I'm gonna miss him like crazy!