Friday, June 29, 2012

My Night with Bret... The play by play!

OMG where to start?!  I still have butterflies in my stomach.  So if you're reading this you probably know about my obsession with Bret Michaels.  You may have even read this post about my sister getting me tickets to his show in March and our super-fun night.  Well that night in Shawnee they mentioned that you could pay to do a meet and greet with Bret after the show.  I didn't have any cash on me and we weren't feeling very brave, but afterwards I was wishing I went to that meet and greet.  Fast forward to a few weeks later where my friend/past manager tells me Bret is coming to Tulsa.  OMG. WE. HAVE. TO. GO. is my response. 

For the next several weeks I mulled over the idea of actually meeting Bret and I decided I HAD to do it.  I mean really... when am I going to ever have this chance again?!  So I made up my mind.  I was going to meet Bret and I was going to kiss him (with my husband's permission of course).  The whole day leading up to the show I was SO excited about this possibility.  So I put on my sequins... the same sequins I wore 3 months ago to see him.  I feel like it's the only shirt I have that is Bret-worthy and the only reason I even own it is because my friend Lizzie asked us to where sparkles to her bachelorette party.  That should reassure you that I'm not some skank with a bunch of skank clothes that are worthy of meeting Bret Michaels.  Ok, now that we got that out of the way...

We get to the show and are temporarily devastated as the guy in front of us at will-call says only casino VIPs (big donors) get to do the meet and greet and they do it before the show.  WHAT?!  So disappointing.  But we weren't quite sure we could trust that douche-bag and I'm glad we didn't. Ha!  We bought our wrist-bands for the meet and greet, complete with a picture of Bret, for $200 that all goes to the American Diabetes Association.  Doesn't this guy keep getting cooler?!

We sat with excitement waiting for the show to start in our awesome seats just above the crazies on the floor...


Then the show started.  What's running through my brain you ask?  "OMG he is so hot.  I can see better this time and he is even hotter than 3 months ago.  OMG I am going to meet him, I'm going to meet him, I'm going to meet him!!!!  Calm down and enjoy the show, Brittany.... Dang, he's actually got some hot dance moves too!"  I stole some of Tracey's pics b/c she has a better camera!

How awesomely tight are those pants?!  Faint.  They also have American flags at the bottom.  They are weird and cool and hot.

My thoughts at this moment, "I wish that was me that he was reaching for... Oh wait, I GET TO MEET HIM!!!!"

This is part of the Rock of Love theme song.  AKA the point in time that I discovered Bret Michaels and fell in love with him as did my friend Val and maybe some other less outspoken pledge sisters.  My phone can't really handle the decibel level in there so don't expect too much.  But please watch until the end for the fabulous split jump Bret does that my sister and I imitated here. 

They auctioned this guitar off for $4,000 and those people got to meet Bret first!  At this moment, "That is a sweet guitar, but that girl is crazy!  I only had to pay $200 and will get the same amount of time with him!  Score!"

 "...just like every night has it's dawn-aw-a-awn..."

Ok, after some "Nothin' but a Good Time" (could there be a better song title to define this night?!) and Kiss's "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night" to close the show, it was time for our stomachs to turn upside down as we prepared to meet Bret.  In this line, was everyone from old scary ladies to muscley men to really annoying skanks.  I feel like Tracey and I were by far the most normal.  (But are we normal? Ha!)

Now for the play by play you've been waiting for.  Get to it already, Brittany!  Ok, ok.  It's my turn and as I approach Bret says, "Hey baby girl... come here... how you doin' tonight?" in the smoothest voice you've ever heard.  With a giddy "I'm doing wonderful," we embrace in a fabulous full-frontal (no side-hugs for this girl!) hug.  I hold on to him as we come out of the hug and look him in the eyes and say, "My husband said it was ok if I got a little kiss."  Yes, I said that.  He smiles and says "ok", CLOSES HIS EYES, and puckers up.  Omg this is happening.  It was the most magical kiss since my first one with Russell. LOL.  I know you're wondering so I'll tell you that his lips are soft... and I completely ignore the idea that they've been lots of places I probably don't want to think about.  I'm pretty sure as I come out of the kiss I say, "Oh my gah."  I manage to not fall to the floor and as we pose for our picture in our still super-close embrace, he says, "Man tell your husband he rocks."  Haha love it.  How hot is this picture?!  I mean really.


He then proceeds to autograph my picture of him that I was given when we bought the wrist-bands and it is appropriately one of him from Rock of Love.  As he's signing, I realize that if I'm going to say anything I'm going to say it now.  So I say, "I have watched you in every reality show that you have been on and I just love you so much.  You are so genuine and... I just love you so much."  Bahaha.  He replies with, "Thank you so much for saying that sweetheart... wait til you see what I'm working on for NBC.  You're gonna love it."  To which I reply, "OMG I'm so excited!  I can't wait!"  I feel the pressure of the people behind me to exit so I go to leave and he tells me to "take care and have a great summer."  "Thanks and you too!"  Then as I am walking off he says, "Bye baby... bye Brittany... seriously tell your husband he's awesome!"  With a girly giggle and a longing for more contact (really wishing I had gone in for a goodbye hug), I say "oh I will tell him!" 


Then I got to watch Tracey's interaction and just observe his hottness for a couple more minutes.  Then we walked away reading our autographs and almost fainting.  Mine says "Brittany, Love You, Bret Michaels."  OMG.  Awesome.  We then spend the car ride home re-hashing our individual Bret encounters, staring at our cameras with our pictures with him, and talking about how sweet/real/genuine/hot (the list obviously goes on and on) he is.  Best. Night. Ever. 

So do you want to pass out reading this?  I know at least Val does.  And maybe my mom b/c I am not the daughter she thought she raised.  Ha!  But truthfully, I think I would react this way if I were meeting... Bret, Justin Timberlake, Matthew McConaughey, and.... drumroll please.... REBA.  Val and I are going to get to work on how to make that last one happen.  But if all 3 of those don't pan out... I've got this to fall back on.  This memory to relive.  And relive.  And relive as I have done every few minutes since last night.  Yes, I am obsessed and you can judge me.  I welcome it.  Thanks to Bret for a wonderful evening!  And to my "awesome" husband that "rocks" who will get to enjoy hearing me say "omg I kissed him" every time we see Bret on TV from this day forward.  Sounds like lots of good times ahead for me.  


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Drive-way Drive-in!

This was the 2nd Annual Drive-way Drive-in at our friends' Elissa and Ryan's house!  They set up a projector in their drive-way and we all gather around with lawn chairs for a movie!  This year was Heavyweights which I had never seen before and it was hilarious!  Gotta love a young Kenan (All That, anyone?) and a young Ben Stiller.  Pretty awesome!  And any event with a popcorn maker and milkshake machine is a good time in my book!  Russell stayed home with Haven so Keri and I could go to the party.  Elissa and Ryan are just the best hosts and so creative to come up with a party like this!  Thanks guys!  Looking forward to next year! 


Pledge sisters!  Love you!

Oh and I should also just document my random bee sting.  Standing in Elissa's kitchen, extending my hand to introduce myself to someone I didn't know, and FIRE on my left knee.  I FREAK OUT and scream and slap my knee like something was eating me alive.  Turns out it was a bee!!!  I have never been stung by anything in my life and OUCH!  Thankfully I'm not allergic or this night could have gone in a much less-fun direction.  The poor girl I was introducing myself to got quite the show and probably thinks I'm a crazy person!  But it hurt!  Oh well, it's comical now!!

Colt's Birthday Party!

While Keri was here, we went to Colt's 1st birthday party!  He is Russell's cousin's youngest of 3.  You may remember this picture of his mom and I big pregnant together!  Cheyenne (Colt's mom) is the one on the left.


So hard to believe that both our babies are 1 now!!!  Sadly we couldn't get them together for a picture at the party.  Haven just wasn't having it.  But I got some cute ones of them individually!  What a fun party for Cowboy Colt!


Watermelon with Poppy...

Adorable!

Her favorite thing to do ever!

Happy Birthday Colt!  We love you!


Monday, June 25, 2012

Keri came to visit!

You may or may not remember when Haven met my best childhood friend, Keri!  We have known each other since we were 3 and I adore her!  We are SO similar in so many ways that it's scary.  I love that we can always pick up right where we left off.  We have so much fun together and great conversation!  She took a few days off from work to come stay with us from Wednesday-Sunday.  We got pedicures, went shopping, introduced her to sushi, saw Rock of Ages (cheesily awesome), watched the Thunder lose :(, went to a family birthday party and a friend's get-together (more to come on those two things!), relaxed on the couch, and just plain enjoyed having each other's company.  Thank you for coming to visit, Keri!  I'm excited to make this a tradition!!


We also did a lot of playing with this funny girl...

And Keri was even here to see her very first steps!

The perfect size chair for tiny Keri at the family birthday party.  Haha!  Love!

Haven did SO well with her.  I don't think she fussed once!  She took to her so quick! :)

I wish I had taken more pictures!  It was such a fun few days and I'm looking forward to making it an annual visit!! :)  Love you Keri!

Sleeping Beauty

I had to wake Haven up from her nap the other day and when I went in to get her she looked so precious that I had to snap a picture...


Looks a whole lot like this little 10 day old don't ya think?...


Ok, plus some hair.  :)  Love her!!!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

1, 2, 3...

1, 2, 3... STEPS!!!  Sure, it's step, step, step, FALL... but you gotta start somewhere!  Haven has taken 3, sometimes 4 or 5 steps in a row since Thursday!  I'm sure she'll be off in no time and I'll be wishing she was still just crawling!  Go girl go!  (Wait girl wait?)

 

Video Fun!

She figured out how to climb the stairs at Grandma's house last week!


Bozzy and Gammie gave her a rocking chair with her name on it for her birthday.  She's not quite big enough to get in and out of it by herself, but I put her in it the other day and this happened!  She got quite the kick out of rocking herself!  Stick with it til the end for some giggles. :)

 
Holding Mommy's hand and walking!




Friday, June 22, 2012

Beavers Bend 2012 Day 3

Unfortunately this was Haven and I's last day at the Bend!  I had to get back for pom camp for the UJVP squad that I help coach!  I was sad to leave, but I had a blast at pom camp too. :)  Anyway, here's our last day!

Half-naked Haven walking with Bozzy!

Adorable.

 What's she pointing at you ask?

Uncle Spencer on a horse!  Oh wait, that's from 2006 when he was 11.  He is almost 18 now!  Time flies!

This is what they were really looking at.  Nobody we know, but horses are cool!

Sweetness.

Grinning at each other.  Love it.

Next it was time for the train ride!  So fun!  Frame-worthy!

Reading with Gammie, waiting for the train to start!

Waving at Gran and Granpa as we passed by!

Love this of both of them!  Haven loved the train!

Mommy and Haven!

At the end of the ride they pick one of the kid's ticket numbers for a prize and guess who won?!  Haven!  She obviously doesn't have my luck b/c I would never win something like that!  She got her first taste of cotton candy!  Yum!

Train pic!

And we finished the day with one more pool playtime before we hit the road.

It was a wonderful trip and I didn't want it to end!  Here's to next year at the Bend with (hopefully not) a terrible 2 year old! :)



Beavers Bend 2012 Day 2

Day 2 at Beavers Bend was all about relaxing and I loved it!

Breakfast with Gran...


Pool time!  I'm sorry, but it doesn't get much cuter, folks!



I told you she loves Uncle Spencer!  Frame-worthy!

Nathan getting some hammock time... Doesn't it just look so peaceful?!

Fun with Aunt Rissa!

Pushing her toy and walking to Bozzy!

A couple seconds of her in action before my phone died!

Feeding Bozzy some snacks...

Nose to nose snuggles with Gammie after bath time!

One more day to go!  Wish we could have stayed the whole week!

Beavers Bend 2012 Day 1

Every year my family vacations at Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, OK.  This was our 18th year!  I have been for at least part of the week every year with the exception of last year because Haven was a couple weeks old and in 2007 when I was on my honeymoon.  Never did I think that I would bring my child to this place but it absolutely warms my heart that another generation gets to experience such a fun place where I have so many fond memories!   

I didn't get a picture of the cabin this year, but this is our little home away from home!  #37 on the river!  This picture is from 2006.

One of the best parts of this trip, is hammock time!  I think my mom would live in a hammock if she could.  It's so nice to just relax in the hammock, look up at the trees, and watch the river.  Love it!

But the hammock is even better with this precious thing in it!!

How many times have I laid in this hammock?!  Never thought I would be doing this in it!  Love!

These boys (ok adult and almost-adult) were throwing some knives...

Seems like they should still look like this... (or younger!)

Haven loves Uncle Spencer!  Oh, and the cabin got a new paint job! :)

Playing with Stella, my Uncle's granddaughter!  They were so cute together!

See what I mean?!

Kisses for baby... She loves this doll!  Thanks Laura and Bobby!

Reading some books with Gammie...

And bubbles with Gammie, too!

That's day 1!  More to come of this fun family vacation!