The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear

I was very fortunate this year to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert featuring Alfie Boe, Tom Brokaw, and the Candy Bomber, Gail Halvorsen. It was easily one of the most fantastic performances I've ever been to. Mix Alfie Boe's amazing tenor voice with Tom Brokaw's incredible story of the Candy Bomber, as well as Richard Elliot's crazy organ-playing talents, and you're in for a night filled with emotion. It was truly a memorable event. Watch a snippet of the night here.

 

 I was able to attend the concert twice, and one of them happened to be Sunday morning. We were told not to applaud because it was a live recording for 'Music and the Spoken Word.' Let me tell you, that was not an easy task. It took all I had not to applaud because the story of the Candy Bomber is so incredible (you HAVE to watch it when it comes out on video) and Alfie Boe is amazing. 

Alfie played Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables so he sang, "Bring Him Home." It brought me to tears each time. You can listen to it here. I promise you won't regret it.

I snuck a picture of the Boe's, Brokaw's, and Halvorsen's posing for a picture after the Sunday concert. :)

I feel beyond blessed to live so close to Temple Square and that I'm able to attend its incredible events. If you want to listen to more of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concerts, or any of their other music, check out their YouTube website here. It's pure awesomeness. :)

Slightly Obsessing...

... over this CD. SO good. Oh goodness, I can't even tell you how much I love it. I went with my family to the concert last year and have been anxiously waiting ever since to get the CD. When I found out Mom bought it, it quickly found its way to my iPod. I just barely listened to it twice. I just laid on my bed, put a blanket over my head, and just soaked it in for the full 120 minutes. Life was grand. I know it's only October 9th, and most would agree that Christmas music should not be listened to this far in advance, but you can't help but give in to some good ol' MoTab and David Archuleta. Pure beauty.

She & Him and Chicken Hearts

On Thursday, Pioneer Park hosted it's final Twilight Concert Series concert, She & Him. I found out a few months ago that Zooey Deschanel was coming and got so excited. The best part... it was free!

{Amy, me, Melissa}

{It was really crowded and hot, and we couldn't see her very well. I had to put my arms above my head to take this picture.}

{She was great, but we left early because Amy got beer poured on her foot and we couldn't breathe from all the people smoking behind us.}

{I loved her dress.}

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

Image via Salt Lake Tribune

{On the way back to the Gateway, we found a huge statue of Petunia the pig.}

It was around 9:30 and we were starving, so we went to Tucanos. It was absolutely fantastic. It's a different way of ordering food, but very fun. When you go, make sure to get the Abacaxi (grilled pineapple), mashed potatoes, and Brazilian lemonade. The picture above shows us getting ready to eat a chicken heart. Amy's friend Garrett took the picture then videoed us eating the heart. It was disgusting. We made faces and tried to swallow it down, but it was just too tough. Amy couldn't take it any longer and eventually threw everything up on her plate. (It's a great video). We couldn't stop laughing, but quickly decided to clean up before we got kicked out. It was late, and the restaurant had closed. No one was there, so on our way out the manager gave us free ice cream! It was so nice of him, but I don't know how on earth I ate it. I was about to burst because of all the food I ate. It definitely made for some great memories.

In case you want to hear some of She & Him's music, I put some of their songs randomly throughout my playlist. My personal favorite is, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here." Enjoy!

Dear Tim McGraw,

Your concert was absolutely incredible. Here is what I loved:

 The surprise, and happiness that followed, when we discovered how close our seats were.

Love and Theft, Lady Antebellum, dancing nonstop, and the entertaining drunk guy who got so into Lady A and knew every word.

Lady A

Lady A's feet (they were so close I could touch them if I wanted!)

Lady A's guitarist (who is a man) and seeing Jonny!

Our awesome merchandise... of you of course.

Our unbelievably crazy excitement. We had to keep telling ourselves to calm down so we wouldn't hyperventilate and pass out.

The first view of you, coming out from behind the flashing lights and white sheet. And freak.ing.out. we scared the little children in front of us with all our excitement and screaming.

The fact that I couldn't remember the first two songs of the concert because I was so excited.

How you sat down and sang to us. You were so friendly. :)

Your front side, such as muscles, pretty sparkling eyes, and sweat...

...and perhaps your backside when you happened to be facing the crowd. ;)

Your sweet boots.

Your devotion to Faith Hill through the songs you sang.

Your passion in putting your whole heart into singing. I even heard you ran 3 miles before the concert, just to be all pumped up for us. Oh, and your new song, "It Felt Good on My Lips." Yeah, I loved it.

How you danced with a little girl, then bowed and kissed her hand. You probably made her life.

When you sang with a big white sheet behind you and sang with your buddies of 12 years and sang the first song you ever learned (after selling your high school ring for your first guitar).

Your sweet silhouette with that hott cowboy hat.

 

Your fun and friendly personality with the crowd.

The guitar pick your guitarist gave me.

We were so close that we could barely fit in a picture with you, and Paula, the nice lady who let us stand by the stage with her.

Your, "Southern Voice."

My obsession in taking pictures.

When you winked at me in, "Something Like That," because it mentions being 17 and Mom yelled, "She's 17!" and when you touched Mom's hand.

When you came over and grabbed my hand, then crouched down, looked at me, and sang, "She's My Kind of Rain," while still holding my hand. I'm pretty sure I wasn't breathing at that moment. This was my favorite part of the whole concert. Mom was super awesome and took pictures at the perfect times. :)

The way you ended the concert with, "The Cowboy in Me," and then threw your guitar across the stage. Luckily one of your stage crew people caught it. But then you just walked off stage, and I couldn't believe it was over. I was so certain you would sing, "Stars Go Blue."

And although we could have gone on for 5 more hours listening to you, we definitely give you a thumbs up. You were amazing.

I couldn't get over how you touched my hand at least 9 times (I lost count!) so I kissed my hands before I washed them. I guess I didn't love this part so much, but we waited for an hour before we even turned on the car to leave. Traffic was insane. And you had probably been sleeping for quite some time by the time we left.

Thank you for an incredible night that Mom and I will never forget. We definitely, "Lived like we were Dying." You're awesome Tim!!

Love always,

 A very happy Jessica

P.S. Thank you for answering every bit of Mom's letter.

P.P.S. For all you other fans out there, you can have a mini concert yourself here. It's the set list of the songs he sang, in the same order we saw, as well as a little video clip. *Warning: he looks really attractive in, "Felt Good on My Lips," with his jeans, black shirt, and cowboy hat on.

'1..2..3..Like A Bird I Sing'

...Because I'm going to TIM McGRAW!!

Mom and I gave up trying to win, and just bought the tickets. We got them off KSL for a good deal. The best part... 8TH ROW from the stage!! Mom explains it perfectly here. I'm soo excited!!! Stay tuned for plenty of pictures of the beautiful man.

See ya tonight, Timmy!