My Grandma!

It was also my Grandma's Birthday on the 28th.
If you don't know my Grandma -
YOU SHOULD.
That is the bottom line.
She is one of the most amazing women in the world.
I talked to her on her Birthday and it took everything in me not to cry.
She is just so sweet and comforting.
She told me how special I am.
And sometimes that is just what a Grandma needs to do.
I just love her.
But Grandma - today is your day!
You are special!
You are everyone's favorite person.
But mostly... you are mine.
My Grandma is the youngest, my Mom is the youngest, and I am the youngest.
3 short, blonde, clothes loving, babies!
I feel like we have this unique bond.
We are all clean freaks.
We all love clothes more than anything.
When my Grandma was told by the doctor that her body was doing so well he thought she would live forever...
what did she do?
She went SHOPPING!
Which is why I absolutely adore my Grandma.
LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

My Dad.

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday.
Don't worry - I didn't forget.
I am just slow on the post.
My parents are in Hawaii celebrating.
Its a big birthday for the 'ol man.
But I wouldn't quite call him old.
The man runs 6 marathons a year...
Has better calf muscles than anybody I've ever seen...
Says "your body doesn't know it's a holiday"
whenever you try to get him to eat something bad...
And (mostly because of my mom) takes more vitamins than anyone I know.

My parents have the best marriage in the world.
Seriously.
But one thing is...
most people don't make it past Ann in time to meet Larry.
So, meet my Dad.
100 things about Lar Bear...

- He is a dentist - and a good one at that.
- He LOVES his job and never stops learning.
- He hates the phone - and you can hear it in his voice.
- He has 7 children. 6 girls. 1 boy.
- He comes off quite.
- Most would be surprised to learn that he is the one with the sense of humor in our house.
- He gets funnier as he gets older.
- He misses his grandkids.
- He reads self help books all the time.
- He watches Meet the Press.
- He comes home and watches the news every night - he calls it "going around the world."
- He gave me my love for the news.
- He makes fun of my Mom under his breath all the time.
- He purposely doesn't lock the door to the car to make my Mom mad.
- He hates food storage.
- He loves family history.
- He loves Canada lately.
- He is wise.
- He is famous for his one liners or as we call them "Larryisms"
- He and Rod have some great party days stories.
- He likes to dance.
- He played the keyboard in a Rock 'n' Roll band on the strip in Vegas.
- He rocks out on the piano all the time.
- He takes my Grandma on dates all the time.
- He is a sucker for snuggle time with his girls.
- He looked like Elvis in his younger years.
- He served a mission in Holland.
- He has lost his 2 younger brothers.
- He is a good listener.
- He is the most giving person - sometimes he gives too much - but doesn't want anyone to know
- He is a scrooge up until Christmas Eve. Then he LOVES Christmas.
- He used to give out tooth brushes on Halloween.
- He runs 3 days a week
- He spins 3 days a week.
- He takes Sunday naps every Sunday.
- He loves surround sound.
- He thinks all his kids can save the world.
- Let me repeat that. He thinks all of his kids are saving the world!!
- He gave all of his children a higher education.
- He wants his girls to be career women - and Moms.
- He is the BEST boat driver in the world.
- He loves to drive fast and loud.
- But he drives a Prius instead. He is obsessed with his Prius.
- He loves popcorn.
- His favorite food is salt.
- He misses his horses.
- He was a cowboy for years.
- He calls his days before my Mom B.A. - Before Ann.
- He never talks bad about anyone
- He loves the mountains.
- He is passionate about finding a cure for Autism.
- He worked so that my Mom could stay home with us.
- He is a health nut.
- He wants me to double major in Accounting and get a Masters in the next two years.
- He gets in a daze when he drives - and then will ask - "So what do you think?"
- He likes to hunt and fish.
- If I ever left the house without a smile he would say "fake it until you make it"
- He loves little girls in pig tails
- His daugthers still think there Dad is the best - no matter how old
- He is grandpa to 11 - and adores every one of them.
- He gets upset if you don't tell him about what you're doing.
- He wanted Derek to be a rock star
- He has a science brain
- He eats his food from the left of his plate to the right of his plate
- He is left handed
- He calls his dental assistance "his girls"
- He is always surrounded by women - at work - and at home - he hates it sometimes.
- He NEVER takes off his wedding ring.
- He adores my Mom.
- He is spoiled by my Mom. She does everything for him.
- He is getting better and better at technology - and is always working on it.
- He loves my blog.
- He was a member of the Lions Club forever.
- He sometimes sends funny emails. But we love him anyway.
- He snores.
- He sometimes likes that my Mom does all the talking.
- He wants to move to Kanosh - my Mom says she will visit him on holidays
- He wears polo almost everyday
- He is allergic to some soaps
- He looses glasses daily - and often has one pair on his head and one on his shirt
- He is a great water and snow skier
- He gave all of his girls his booshy eyebrows. (boo)
- He loves almonds
- He loves dark chocolate
- He always helps those less in need than him
- He believes in higher education - A LOT
- He went to Dental School in Chicago
- He gives the best advice
- He LOVES when I sing
- He swept my Mom off her feet - fast.
- He hates wearing dress shoes
- He loves having family over.
- He steals glasses and car chargers
- He loves the play jersey boys
- He can't wait to get me off the payroll (not really - cause he loves me SO much)
- He is my most favorite person in the world!
Love you Daddy!
Happy Birthday

Halloween is Here!

Where is fall going?
I have been so consumed in my own life to stop and enjoy the season.
But this week I am vowing to take note of the pretty leaves before they are smothered in snow.
On Monday our ward had a Halloween party.
I put together a quick cowgirl costume and we were on our way.Somehow I ended up being the victim of one terrible FHE game.



My bishop and his wife are probably the cutest couple you have ever met.
Sister Marks makes more food than any person I have ever met.
Besides her cooking skills - this woman can sew!
She mad Bishop Marks costume.We also made spooky gingerbread houses.
Of course they weren't has good as the ones that me and Mar-dog made last year
But they did the job!

On Sunday, Michael and I put together a little Orton,Adams, Staples pumpkin carving party.
I know I showed this pic last year but I just can't resist putting it up again...
It is just so priceless.
Too bad our Mom's have dropped the ball since we left.
But not to fret - the Staples, Ortons, Adams kids do not just sit on by to watch our traditions fall away.
We may be missing most of the crew.
But they were there in spirit.





Couldn't resist snapping a pick of the wal-mart tights for my long lost holiday soul sister.

The cupcakes Kourt and I made the night before.





Cute Hailey - Kourts friend from Vegas.
She is darling.
And she loves to bake as much as I do.
But mostly - she is the by far the most lively accounting major I have been acquainted with here at BYU.
Yes Derek, you heard me!
R.I.P. Staples, Orton, Adams Halloween parties with caramel corn and contests.
We miss you so dearly.

Party in 242!

As far as I can remember... 242 has had a party every week since school started.

Which I do not mind one bit.
From conference breakfast...
To bridal showers...
You may remember Elise Kelly and Dustin Call.
They were engaged after using Jords surprise birthday party
as an excuse to get Elise up the canyon where Dustin would pop the question.
Well, after a summer apart (she was in Jerusalem)
the love birds are so excited to FINALLY be getting married.
Kourtney and Haley planned the cutest shower ever.
I was just lucky enough to attend.

Because Dustin and Elise are HUGE sports fans...
the theme was "The Perfect Team"

Our creative Halloween wall.
Yummy - and darling - caramel apples!

There was only one type of gift given at the shower.
Literally.
25 of the same thing.
You can only imagine the laughter.

Cute Kelsey - kourts little sister.

Despite the fact that our apartment is constantly an utter disaster - and I am super poor.
I am loving all the party planning.
Junior year is thee best!

Speaking of our apartment...I still need to post pictures!
But also - the fridge is broken.
This happened last year too.
Not quite sure what we do to fridges.
But this year the whole thing has to be replaced.
We've lost almost all of our food.
Luckily (or unluckily) it is cold enough - so we can use our porch as a fridge.
Oh the joys of college living!

It's true.

I never thought I would see the day when I was one of those
"catch up bloggers"
I hate those.
Busy is never an excuse.
But suddenly it is my excuse.
This week is getting better.
I may be getting a hold on things.
Maybe not.

This past week has been an absolute riot.
I did a story on a campaign going on around town called...
STOP CINDY
And of course showed the other side called...
GO CINDY
Before I knew it I had a new lead on the story.
Luckily my Mom had come to town
(to clean my car, my house, and help me be sane for 24 hours)
So the two of us jumped in the car and headed off to "chase the story"
Believe it or not there are some SERIOUS dirty politics going on here in Provo.
My story broke the news of a "new sign" in town which accuses the local Realtors who are behind Stop Cindy and the County Chairmen of the Republican Party in Utah County of unfairly backing candidates to get their issues past.
Of course the other argument was shown - although though their party "would not comment"

Before I knew it I was known as the muckraker of the newsroom.

The next day this article was printed in the local paper quoting my story.
And then the next day BIG NEWS came in...
this article was printed stating that the GOP leader will be investigated on November 19th for his involvement in the Stop Cindy campaign.
And even an article printed about it in the Salt Lake Tribune here

It was a whirlwind of just a few days but I got my first real taste of the power of the press.
Silly as it sounds.
But it is true.
Even though I have been doing a lot of reading and a lot of researching -
I still don't know who is right and who is wrong.
As we say on the news...
I guess we will have to wait until election day to see what voters have to say!

i LOVE my major.

Since school started this semester I am running like a mad woman.
And I finally feel like I fit.
I finally LOVE it here.
Now, don't get too excited.
I still think BYU people are WACKO.
In fact, I just succeeded at getting yet another C on a religion test.
Oh and yes Melissa went on a date with a guy who had cougar floor mats.
Can I get a woot woot!

But I love my major.
Katie always said,
"I don't love BYU, but I love my program."
I never understood until now.

My entire week revolves around the newsroom.
This week I spent two - 14 hour days reporting, writing, editing etc.
Not because I am good.
Actually... Because I suck.
(sorry Mom - had to use it!)
Simply put.
But I kind of like it.
I like putting myself out there...
failing miserably...
and learning.
I love reporting.
I never thought I would say it -
but I did make the right choice.

Today I attended a lecture from a News Director at CBS.
He told us these stats.
1600 tv stations in America
770 news stations
Approximately 25,000 Broadcast Journalism majors graduate a year in America.
There are approximately 300 job openings for reporters each year.
That means approximately 1.2% of BJ graduates ACTUALLY become a reporter out of school.



In addition to this...
I went to the internship meeting for this upcoming summer.
Hopefully this blog will be taking another adventure with me.
Hopefully I will be in D.C. or NYC this summer.
Hopefully I will get an internship somewhere.
The following information was provided...
Advertising - 20+ internships
PR - Lots of internships
Print - lots of internships
Broadcast - no comment.
Literally.
Nothing said about Broadcasting internships.
So I asked after.
4.
There are 4 internships
For 50 + students.
4.
So I think I will just have to take matters in to my own hands.
Connections anyone?


So, how can I really believe this is the right career?
I still can't figure that one out.
It is not logical at all.
But it is fun.

This week I reported on the tsunami in Samoa.
It was amazing to watch a story unfold right before my eyes.
Before I knew it I was aloud access to the runway at the SLC airport...
And there I stood.
Just me.
No camera man.
No nothin'!
Just me.
A HUGE camera bag.
A tripod.
Some high heels.
And my mic....
right next to the mic's of reporters from every station in the valley.
When the member of the Quorum of the Seventy asked if there were any more questions the KSL reporter piped up.
Then there was an awkward silence.
And I hate those.
So I always end up saying something really silly to break it.
I raised my hand.
I asked "Approximately how many people are you hoping to help with these materials?"
And then he answered.
Few.
Not TOO bad.

I encountered some major difficulties.
No headphones.
No wireless mic.
No stick mic.
No photographer.
No notepad.
......
Yeah.
I learned A LOT.
And the best part was standing in front of my camera trying to film myself.
I think every person on the runway got a huge kick out of it.
For the first 5 minutes.
After about 20 minutes of me saying my line in to the camera a million different ways...
I think they were like beginner get out of here!
Meh - oh well.
They can deal with it!

Since I am not about to show my poopy story yet..
You can watch a few shots from the other reporters that were on the scene.

ksl link
Channel 2 link

Fallen Off The Earth.

Just had to give Katie and Scott a quick "shout out"
for making me this AMAZING dinner two Sundays ago.
Love you guys!

I think my world has basically turned upside down this semester.
So many good things are happening - but I keep getting more and more busy.
I haven't been home once this semester.
Which is very rare for me.
I just got hired on as a Student Ambassador for the Communications Department.
I am overly excited.
It is kind of like student council for comms.
Only it is a paid job.
I can't imagine anything better.
But this now means I am working 20 hours a week.
Plus, being a reporter.
AND trying to have a social life.

(side note - social life continues with the Fast Sunday Dessert Parties at the B-mont)
I am so lucky to have Missa up here with me.
The two of us see each other almost every day.
She has become besties with Kourts little sister.
So I just claim both of them as my little sisters.
So far this week we have ambushed people with flying candy,
laughed so hard in the car I nearly peed my pants,
ditched the library - multiple times,
eaten WAY too much,
rocked out to Glee too many times to count,
worked out together,
made up dances (yes we are 12),
and gone to dance parties.
Need I say more?
Kelsey and Missa are two of the funnest people I know.
It is the best.
She has just started to buy food and leave it at my place.
I am all for it.
No one can eat at the Cannon Center for every meal.

Tak.
Doesn't she just look beautiful?
I swear this girl is beeming these days.
Wonder why?
Even though we haven't gotten to see each other as much as I wanted I am so glad Tak lives with me.
She is one of the only people who knows me so well.
I remember on Grey's Anatomy there were two best friends on once.
There motto was "Cradle to Grave."
I feel like that is me and Tak.
She just gets me.
Love you Tak!



Ok.. now back to what I was saying before.
Lets just say I have gone to bed after 3 AM twice this week.
I am so sorry for being a terrible friend to all of you.
I promise to get my act back together ASAP.

But I can't complain.
I have been so lucky to have some amazing experiences.
My first week as a reporter I had the opportunity to interview both Mayor Candidates.
Both were incredibly accommodating and nice.
I did a story on "the use of social media in the mayor campaign."
And my news director loved it.
I even got to "front" my story.
Meaning I got to go on live.
I was terrible.
Absolutely horrific.
My framing was bad.
I looked stiff.
My B-roll was awful.
But now the first time is over and I keep telling myself I will get better.
AND I WILL.


This past week I had the opportunity to have a sit down interview with
General Brent Scowcroft.
Former National Security Adviser to President H.W. Bush and President Ford.
My first hard hitting interview.
I was so nervous.
But I just remembered what Oprah once told me
(because she is always talking just to me, right?)
"Just remember they poop too."
No, in all seriousness.
It was an amazing experience to be able to ask the General about current circumstances in Palestine, Iran, and the Obama administration.
And I would dare to say General Scowcroft was one of the nicest men I have ever met.
Serious?
VERY.
But... what man who has written books with President Bush, been interviewed thousands of times by the biggest names in the business, and has every reason to toot his own horn,
sits down with a beginning journalist?
And in addition... when asked
"How can students here on campus and residents in Utah become more involved with foreign policy?"
Answers,
"They can listen to people like you."
I think I fell over in my seat.
Yes, he was joking.
But he didn't have to make me feel that good.
I am so grateful for nice people who humor new reporters.
Thanks to kourt for being my pretend photog!
I will be posting the interview to the Daily News Website so check it out.

Unfortunately, this week was my first taste of having a great story cut down.
Despite feelings of frustrations as my hard news story got cut for fluff - I learned one big lesson.
That is the nature of the beast.
And as my Dad said... pick yourself up and move on.
And so I did.
Hopefully you will all be patient with me this semester!
Please excuse my inability to return phone calls quickly, forgetting things etc.

I am doing my best to hang on for the wild ride.

And I am loving every minute of my new journey as a BEGINNING reporter.

PS - I am feeling overly blessed to be a part of the BYU Comms Department.
I am trying to take advantage of every learning opportunity they offer me.
To check out what some of the INCREDIBLE students are doing visit this website...
http://universe.byu.edu/
This semester things are really taking off and everyone is taking advantage of social media.
I love it!
I think I have caught the bug!

Mr. and Mrs. Brown

September 19, 2009
My oldest nephew, Jesse married his high school sweetheart Daneve.
I feel like Daneve has been part of the family for years.
She is the most beautiful and kind person I know.
Seriously.
Jesse you picked a winner.
And the best part is she already started a blog!
Check it out!
jessedanevebrown.blogspot.com
I was lucky enough to travel to Sacramento for their wedding.

Rehearsal Dinner.
Aren't they the most beautiful couple you have ever seen?
On top of seeing my two nephews, Jesse and Danny, I was SO excited to see my sister Nat.
And of course my wittlest nephew Ryan.
He is still baby Ryan in my mind.
Nat seriously is the luckiest (and best) Mom in the world.
This little one melts my heart.
He needs to be on the front of a J Crew catalog.
Seriously.

We stopped at an apple orchard.
It was the first time I have ever been to Sacramento.
I loved it.
It is so beautiful.
Dad took it upon himself to feed Ryan large amounts of sugar.
Do we have another Grandma Staples on our hands?


This picture is for my big bro Derek.
The wedding was at this amazing winery.
Derek wants to own a winery one day.
And probably will. (ha)
My Dad had to rent a red mustang to drive through the windy hills.
My Mom and I just prayed that we would make it out alive.Daneve did such an amazing job with the wedding plans.
Outdoor weddings are my fav!

See what I am saying about this munchkin?
Moments later he tipped his glasses down - just checkin us out.
NBD.My adorable nephews.
I just want to squeeze their cheeks.
As Mr. Fox said in You've Got Mail...
"We are the All-American Family"


The darling couple.
Daneve looked stunning!
Seriously.
Even my Dad had tears in his eyes.
These two are PERFECT for each other.Mr. and Mrs. Brown!
The money dance.


Little Ry Ry playing with his trains.
Nat chased this kid in circles for hours at the wedding.
He is one Curious George I tell ya.
I love that he is so obsessed with trains since his Mommy and Daddy were married on one.
Check out that shirt.
Markers + baby = no good!
See what I am saying about J Crew?
Ryan with the Grandmas!
Lovely pic of me.
But its rare to have this one snuggle up to me like this.

The fam at the wedding.
We missed all of you!

Danny - of course wearin the rocker shoes.
Dad thought this was so funny.
He was like, "Lee lets take a picture for Karly's blog."
Before I know it we are all dancing together.
Again - "We are the All-American Family."
And we embrace it.
I love ya Danny!
I am trying to get Danny to move to Provo with me.
He is an amazing cook and I think he should go to UVU Culinary School.
I seriously love this kid.
You have never met a more fun person in your life.
Danny - get your bum up here so we can party!
(I've got lots of cute friends!!!)
The boys and grandparents!

I have to give a shout out to my parents for flying me out to Cali.
I am SO glad I got to see my first nephew get married.
Now - I just can't wait to be a great aunt!
(Probably before I have kids of my own! Gotta love it!)
Melting my heart.

Congrats you too.
I love you oh so much.
Can't wait to see you soon!

And now..
A short message from Baby Ry Ry regarding his trains.
Melt away...