Husky Convention + Conference

Jacob's parents and younger brothers (Josh and Travis) came to visit us in Provo over conference weekend. Their stay proved to be fun, relaxing family time + the Robinsons were able to attend a few sessions of general conference together in Salt Lake. Our only challenge was keeping the teenage boys entertained between sessions. Our house is not that exciting (no Xbox/only basic cable TV), and I could tell they were getting bored fast. I could only think of one decent solution...

We would take them to the HUSKY CONVENTION!!

HUSKIES EVERYWHERE!!!

Yes, you heard me right. There were rumors of a Siberian Husky Convention taking place in downtown Provo. Naturally, I was intrigued. However, there was virtually no information about this event on the internet—the date and location was all I knew.  We went on blind faith that, indeed, we would find a Husky-related event and see at least a few of these beautiful creatures.  Indeed, we found the promised Husky Convention. I was in Husky heaven.

True husky champions being judged in show.

HUSKY MERCH!!!

This shirt almost had me in tears. DOUBLE MEANING!!!

I'm so fascinated with this husky subculture. Learning so much.

Preppin' for the big show.

Josh and Travis probably thought I was a little too obsessed with the Husky Convention, but I know they were secretly loving it too. Next, we took these boys to the Provo Farmers Market.  We showed them the best waffles in town, and they helped us pick out a pumpkin for Halloween.

After J-Dawg's for lunch and playing pool at the Wilk, it was time to head to SLC for the Priesthood session. 

Josh and Trav were so tuckered out that they napped the whole ride. 

precious.

Brothers going to the Priesthood sesh.

While the men attended Priesthood, I met up with Mama Robinson and my friend, Kari. Priesthood session is always the best for some seriously overdue "girl time." We explored the Church History Museum (my fav) and City Creek, and talked talked and talked. After the session, the family regrouped and went for dinner at Ruth's Diner in the canyon—one of my favorite places, and I guess it's sort of become a conference tradition for me and Jacob.

I really enjoyed this day. 

Family + conference + huskies = all things Holli needs.

Braces and Bandanas

Spa day at camp. The girls are getting their lavender pedicure in a kiddie pool.

Gabby and Abbie, my canoe buddies.

It was such a buzz hangin with all my PP2 girls at girls camp!

Yes, the toilets weren't working, I didn't shower for five days, and I think if I had sung that 

"Princess-Pat-Riggabamboo" song one more time I would self-destruct. 

But seriously. We had WAAAYYYY too much fun. 

I can't remember the last time I played and laughed so hard.

I love these girlies.

bye-bye sky

Jacob and I had the privilege of picking up Sky from the Salt Lake airport and dropping him off at the MTC the next day. We did some shopping for some last-minute missionary supplies, went out to dinner at Station 22 (amazing new place in downtown Provo), bought some graham canyon ice cream and watched a disney movie at our house, and most of all let Elder Hale relax before his big debut as a missionary.

Sky LOVED this place. He was freaking out over how each of our sandwiches tasted like something completely unique and unexpected. The fries were pretty dang good too.  "Is this like the only Station 22 in the world?" Yes Sky.

 

For lunch the next day, we took him to one of our favorite places in Provo—Slab Pizza. A giant bbq pizza topped with a fried egg was his last meal before entering the MTC.

of course he chose Mountain Dew for his last beverage. Not gonna get that in the MTC!

Everything seemed pretty normal. We were hanging out. Eating great food. Talking. Joking. And then it suddenly happened. We drove down the street, and suddenly we were at the MTC saying goodbye for the next two years. 

Sky puts on his missionary jacket like a smooth criminal.

Sky's missionary guide asks him some questions and waits for us as we give our final goodbyes.

Jacob gives some final words of advice. "Believe in yourself!" lol. no, that's not what he said.

final photo before Elder Hale entered the MTC.

And this is where I got a taste of what it's gonna be like doing this as a mom someday. It was a lot harder than I expected. My little baby brother is all grown up! I didn't think it was going to be a big deal—because hey—he is just literally down the street from my house! But giving that last hug and goodbye—I just lost it. I tried to hold in the emotions because I knew he already had to go through the whole tearful goodbye thing with the family in Arizona, but I failed. He just laughed and scolded me, "Now don't start that!"

Jacob and I waved him farewell as we turned and entered the MTC with the rest of the new missionaries. I'm gonna miss that kid like crazy. He really has been one of my best friends these past few years. But I am so proud of him for becoming a missionary. He made the right choice. And I really can't wait to hear about all his experiences in the West Indies.

LOVE YOU SKY!

Elder Hale's Mission Blog

So I just started a mission blog for my little brother, Sky, who entered the MTC yesterday...

Check it out HERE.

farewell sky

On Sunday we had the privilege of attending this kid's farewell. It was great seeing Sky all dressed up in his new missionary suit, speaking to the ward about why he decided to serve a mission. I was really impressed with the talk he prepared. By the end, it even made me get a little emotional—which was bad news, since I had to get up and sing a musical number right after. By the end of the song—I lost it. It just fell apart... but everyone just told me that it made the meeting even more spiritual. That was nice of them to say.

But really, I told Sky not to make me cry before I got up to sing. And what did he do? He made me cry. That little jerk!

we accidentally left the garment bag that contained our church clothes back in provo—hence, the jeans, cowboy belt, and sister's bridesmaid dress.                     we made it work.

Lots of fam and friends came to show support

I think the whole meeting really solidified that he is ACTUALLY GOING ON A MISSION. It didn't seem real. But wow. He is really going away for TWO YEARS! I am gonna miss him like crazy, but I am so proud of my little brother. The people of the West Indies will be lucky to have him.

Next week Jacob and I will be dropping him off at the MTC.
Still can't believe it.

released

We are really gonna miss teaching these kiddos every Sunday.

Being a primary teacher has been the funnest/funniest calling I have ever had in the church.

Every class is an adventure with seven 4-year-olds to watch over,

and the kids just crack me up.

But I must say that I am REALLY excited about my new calling.

and I mean, PUMPED.

If you want a clue: Last night I had the pleasure of attending "Mutual" for the first time in about 6 years.

And I kinda loved it.

Conference Weekend Getaway

Jacob and I got tickets for the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions of General Conference, and decided to escape Provo and make a weekend of it.

This included:

+ a picnic by the SLC library

+ a little canyon drive, listening to afternoon session on the radio

+ tasty lunch at Ruth's Diner

+finding that the car battery was dead, getting some lady rugby players help push Jacob's Exterra in order to start the manual transmission

+ Perusing around Gateway Mall, (which included my much anticipated trip to Anthropologie) while Jacob went to Priesthood session

+ McDonald's for 7-month sundaes

At the end of this tremendous day, we both realized that it was the day of us being together for 7 months. We were surprised that we both forgot (we usually do little things to celebrate each month landmark), but we decided to find a place to get ice cream and quickly ran in to a McDonald's, which lead to this. . .

We are dorks. That's all there is to it.

We spent the night at the home of some of Jacob's relatives, and we woke up to this!!

So much snow! Not a typical April Conference day, but it was still lovely and conference was great.

 This was our scenery on the way back to Provo. We got out of the car to capture this lovely sunset.

It was a dreamy weekend getaway.

Music and the Spoken Word

"Wait. They do this every Sunday for free, and I've never been to it???"

They sing pretty songs, they say pretty things. . .

It's Music and the Spoken Word!

October Conference

It was a good session.

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!

Farewell Sister Patterson!

I felt privileged to see my best friend Kari just minutes before she took off to the MTC. She is going to be serving for 18 months in Mission Viejo, California and speaking Spanish! I am going to miss her a ton, but I know she is going to be a wonderful sister missionary.

Bye Kari!

The April Conference

So me and Megan went on a little pilgrimage to SLC to go to general conference. It was an amazing experience. We went to the Saturday morning session, and got to witness and participate in the solemn assembly. SO. COOL. It was awesome to be able to be there to sustain Pres. Monson. Really loved all the talks too! 

Afterwards we went and ate at costa vida, and we had ourselves some burritos... yum. Then we went to Rhiannon's house (Megan's sister) in West Jordan and watched the second session. She had these really awesome General conference packets for us. To help us pay attention we did crossword puzzles with all the apostles names, colored the ties of each apostle, and I filled out a secret code that said "I am a child of God!" Man, I miss Primary...

On Sunday, we went to SLC again and walked around the temple and we watched the first session in a cool theatre. It was nice. We went back to Rhiannon's for the second session, but Megan's car died on the way. yep. So Rhiannon's husband came to save us, but it was a bummer!  Anyway, it was a great weekend. We stole Adam's camera and took all these pics with it. These are pretty much just pics of me and megan, but we are pretty much babes, so enjoy...

It was so cool hearing the choir live! Can't get enough of their sound.

We weren't supposed to take pictures in here... oops!

Guitar hero at Rhiannon's place. I am certain that playing the guitar in real life isn't this difficult.

Megan's might steal these children. They are cute.

In the shuttle to temple square.


My hair looks long in this pic, and it makes me happy!
going there someday!

This one is for a certain someone who likes to tell me that I have a lion's mane...

Nants ingonyama bagithi babaaaaaa!!!!!!! (Lion KIng)