Thursday, December 16, 2010

Enjoying the Small Things in Park City


Some of you who know Kelle and read her inspiring blog will understand why I momentarily lost it when I checked my facebook inbox last week and saw a message from Kelle letting me know she was going to be in Provo and wondered if I would be available for a hug. Um. Let me check my schedule and get back to you. As soon as I finish screaming and jumping up and down.

I've been counting down the days. Nervous and excited. It's a different world with all of the connections and friendships that can be made through blogging and the internet. Of course I felt like I knew her from reading her blog. I was in the delivery room with her. I celebrated Lainey's 3rd birthday and felt the fairy dust on my face. I've watched as Lainey added her signature, happy face to her chalk people. I celebrated with her when Nella sat up for the first time. But you just never know what it will be like when you really meet. And it was perfect. Like we'd known each other forever. We decided to brave the cold weather and meet up in Park city for breakfast and shopping. We swapped stories. Celebrated the bond that brought our friendship together -- Down syndrome. Loved on Nella. Took lots of pictures. Walked up and down Main Street and enjoyed the cold, the snow, the scenery. It was refreshing to see that she is real. What you read on her blog is what you get. She really does enjoy all of the small things in life!

As expected from my shy girl, it took Mia a few minutes to warm up but once she got a good look at that cute baby there was no stopping her. "The baby wants to come to my house and play with my toys!" She did not want to let them leave to go to the airport. She wanted that little Nella to be a permanent member of our family.



Mia and Nella enjoying their new (not-so-new-for-Mia) skill of standing up against the wall!



You know those friends who you meet through blogging and you can't remember exactly when or how you connected but you did. That would explain Nadya. She left a comment on Kelle's blog and whatever that comment was, I went to her blog and left a comment. I remember when she sent me a facebook friend request and I asked her how I knew her. I could tell by her pictures that she didn't have a child with Down syndrome and we didn't have any friends in common. She told me her blogger name and I instantly knew who she was. So it was a double bonus to get to meet Kelle and Nadya. Enjoying new friendships.


Enjoying freezing butts. What you can't tell from this picture is that we are sitting on freezing snow in 12 degree weather.



Enjoying Main St.




Enjoying real icicles on Christmas wreaths




Nella enjoys shopping breaks. In from the cold. Not that she ever complained.



Mia enjoyed playing in the dressing rooms and came up to me wearing some random lady's sunglasses that she had swiped from her dressing room. And then the lady watched while I took Mia's picture thinking they belonged to the store. Sorry lady.




Kelle said she might wanna stop on the way to the freeway to get some pictures of cool scenery on the way out. I told her to honk if she wanted to stop. Realizing I wasn't going to hear her honk over Mia's music, I had to call just to see what she thought as we passed this great white barn out in the middle of nowhere. Right when she picked up her phone she said, "you already know I wanna stop at that white barn!" So of course we u-turned it and got these great shots! And it may have made her just a little rushed at the airport but that's what it takes sometimes to enjoy the small things.



Thanks Kelle for spending the morning with me and getting me up to our beautiful mountains. Now it's my turn. I think the Florida beach is calling my name. Hopefully some day soon . . .

28 comments:

Scarehaircare said...

Oh, envy! When I saw the blog today that she had been in Sundance and filming for the BYU project, I was wishing I was back in UT so I could meet her. Lucky you!

Jen said...

Yay for you! That is awesome. The pictures are gorgeous. Makes me thankful for snow even though I am usually cursing it when it falls. Looks like you had a great time.

bb,tonya and cam... said...

i am so jealous! she is so amazing! i have followed her since nella was 6 weeks old, because her and camden are only 2 days apart she really helped me through a lot! :) so fun! congrats!

Kirby Johansen said...

LUCKY!!!!! I would love to meet the both of you!!!

DKAZ said...

Looks awesome. So glad you had that amazing opportunity. Said with complete sincerity and a itty bitty bit of jealousy.

Kristin said...

So cool! What a fun morning.

iColossus / Monster said...

Aren't internet connections CRAZY?!!!

I remember reading the comments in Kelle's blog back in Feb or March and seeing your comments a few times and then, being curious, I went to your blog and was impressed. With your authenticity, optimism and courage. And your beautiful family, brimming over with love and fun. And I could tell you're a smart cookie as well...I learned how to make the pictures on my blog bigger from your tips, ha!

Will email you pics from today, hopefully soon. In crazy-packing mode, Jerusalem bound in 2 days!

SO awesome meeting you, I just knew you would be kind and funny and you totally ARE!

And if you're ever in LA... :)

Amy @ OurScoop said...

Wow! I am so jealous! That looks like a lot of fun! I thought I'd never see Kelly Hampton in Utah. How fun for you both!

Emily said...

Oh wow! How awesome for Kelle that she got to meet you! I bet she was jumping up and down to at the chance too ;) I'm sure it was awesome to get to know the person behind the blog. I am constantly amazed at connections the internet and 1 little extra chromosome can make. Looks like a great day and makes me want to brave the cold and get up to experience my mountains!

Brooke said...

Lucky you!! I'm jealous! I'm always excited when she writes a new post, you can really connect to her. Looks like you guys had fun.

Joyce said...

Oh how fun for all of you.

Grandma Bethany said...

What a big day you had today....It seems now I am 'hooked' on Kelle's blog too.
What a gifted writer and photographer she is!
I am anxious to hear more about her story.

Becca said...

What a fun day!! Great pics, too. Love the scenery there!

Meghann said...

This is awesome! It's such a blessing for us to find each other. I'm glad you had a great time together.

Unknown said...

That barn is killer cool : )
I love that you got to meet Kelle! She seems like someone that is just as cool in person as she is on her blog!

Love your little Mia. That is one of my most favorite names. I laughed out loud about her practicing standing up on a wall : ) Cute as can be.

You live in a very beautiful place!

Happiness is... said...

Oh my. That's just too cool. I am a Kelle/Dig follower and I just had to come over to check you out. I'ves een your posts many a time, but it's cool to put a face and of course, a story to the person.

Here's wishing your big family a wonderful weekend.

-Jennifer from Annapolis

Bugg's mama said...

What a beautiful way to celebrate the small things. Although, the 2 of you meeting?!! That's no small thing, sister! Awesome!

Love, Bree

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much Heather! Those little nesting dolls were so cute- I'll do a search and see if I can figure it out. The scenary there is soooo gorgeous. Those barn shots are so picturesque! I so miss snow- it's geographical here rather than seasonal I think. I'm a transplant to the south. Happy Holidays!

Cole

Tracy said...

When you come to Florida let me know!! Would love to get a chance to say hello!

Janae said...

This is Janae, Daisie's cousin. I lived with her family for awhile. Maybe you remember me. But anyway I was reading Kelle's blog and couldn't believe it when I saw your picture. I was like "I know that girl"

You have a beautiful family!!! And congrats on meeting Kelle. She seems like such a nice girl, just like you!

Bethany said...

So fun! I think I need to come to Utah! Looks so beautiful there!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Oh my goodness...she went to see YOU! That is the coolest thing evah. I can't believe you found me to leave that comment for one thing. How crazy is that?? Thank you so much for saying something. Sounds like we have a lot in common:) BTW that barn made my heart pitter patter. LOVED it!!

Anonymous said...

You're so sweet to look it up for me Heather! Thanks so much!

Shannan Martin said...

Your family and your spirit are beautiful! What a fun day you had. :)

Summer said...

Looks like you had a fun day! I'm jealous! I would have loved to have met her. Glad you had a good time and got to show her Park City!

Cheri said...

So stinkin fun!!!! :)

Steph Hamilton said...

Great blog Heather! I loved reading about your visit with Kelle in your blog and thought your gingerbread post was lovely (so nice to see the grandparents getting involved) Thanks for connecting today and I hope to learn more about your lovely family in the future!!
Steph Hamilton

veronica said...

I found Kelle's blog because I was at BYU taping a segment the day before she came to Utah. Then a few days later Vennesa was telling me about something you had written....anyway I finally put 2 and 2 together. What a crazy small world!
I love reading about your sweet family. I promise to stop lurking and leave comment once in a while! :)