American Idol Concert Aug 29, 2008

Kansas City Welcomes home DAVID COOK!!!


My family have been pretty intense American Idol fans since season 2 back in 2003 (We still say Clay Aiken should have won that year). So we were pretty happy this year when the two finalists came down to David Archuleta, the wholesome Mormon boy from the Salt Lake City area, and David Cook, the down to earth "rocker" from Kansas City. For the first time ever, I honestly didn't care who won. In fact, I was actually in Salt Lake City during the finale in May-voting like crazy for David Archuleta. And just the week before I had been screaming for David Cook during his "hometown visit" at the Kansas City Royals baseball game. So long story short-There was a lot to look forward to when the American Idol tour came to Kansas City!

Mom and I went together. We had floor seats toward the back, but Mom thought it would be fun to sneak up as close to the stage as we could get without getting into trouble. After all, the seats up there cost the same as ours and it would be a shame for there to be any empty seats. right? She's hilarious. Needless to say, we got caught and the security/usher lady just looked at us like we were crazy teenagers. I love my adventures with Mom! Life is never boring!


Overall I wasn't super impressed with the set up of the show. They seemed to really drag things out. There were definitely some of the finalists who I was pleasantly surprised to discover were much better in person than I had ever thought them to be on the show, (namely Michael Johns and Brooke White), but let's be honest...we were there to see the Davids!
We definitely were NOT disappointed! Kansas City was good to David Archuleta, but WOW I have never heard an arena scream so loud, as when David Cook took the stage. It was awesome! Locals are always rather proud to be from Kansas City (because this place is pretty much awesome!!!) So it was fun to join with the people of KC and welcome home our American Idol (and lose our voices in the process) Once again-another fun night with Mom!

Nauvoo Trip with Mom Aug 21-23, 2008

My Mom is awesome! She is so much fun, it kills me sometimes. For the first time in my 28+ years of life (or at least that's what Mom says), She and I decided to take a little road trip/mother-daughter get away to Nauvoo. We had a blast!
It's true, I had just come from Nauvoo after finishing my last EFY session, but seriously folks, is it possible to get sick of that beautiful town? I think not! In fact, my summer of EFYs had come to an end and after focusing on the youth for so many weeks, it was time for me to focus on my own needs and make some life decisions. So Mom and I headed straight to the temple. Have I ever mentioned just how much I love this temple?!?!


Our family has been to Nauvoo many times. We all had gone up for the pageant in July, but it was great to play personal tour guide for Mom and point out some fun stories I had learned from EFY. We saw some sites and watched the "Emma" movie, and on top of that, we were able to see Vocal Point!!!

Now let's be honest, if you read my previous blog about EFY Nauvoo Session 2, you'll remember that BYU Vocal Point was in Nauvoo "on tour".

I had already seen them perform during EFY week, and I knew my Mom would LOVE seeing them. Then again, who wouldn't?! They're super fun, they sound amazing and well, it's always an added bonus when this happens:

It's all about who you know, but SSSSHHHHH! Don't tell anyone!

It's true, I know a handful of the guys in the group. Two are brothers-Eric and Scott. I have known their older brothers (Alan & Michael) for going on 10 years now. Their Dad was also my institute teacher in Orem at one point.

And then there's my friend, Buck. Isn't he fun!? He's amazingly talented. It's pretty much awesome! People like that are just cool. Buck and I actually met 4 years ago when we were EFY counselors together at BYU. We've crossed paths every so often and been able to chat over the past few years. We even ran into each other this summer at the MTC during Mission Presidents' Seminar. Small World! It was fun to see him again. He's hilarious!

So Mom and I joked we had become Vocal Point groupies because we actually went to the show both nights we were in town. By the end of the trip, Mom was declared "Super Fan," as she'd rattle off the names and some fast facts of all the members of the group. She always made sure to focus on the really important facts, like which of the guys are still single, etc. I think they definitely got a kick out of us.


We really lucked out too since they had moved the performance both nights to the indoor stage at the Visitor's Center due to potential rain, which meant we didn't have to swat the bugs that gather there by the Mississippi River. LUCKY US! Overall, it was a great trip! Mom and I should have done something like that together a long time ago!

EFY Nauvoo Session 2...Aug 11-16

My life is truly blessed! I knew the first time I experienced EFY Nauvoo it was a special experience, but little did I expect to be given the opportunity twice in one summer.














We arrived in Nauvoo early enough to be able to attend the last night of the Nauvoo pageant. I cry everytime! Honestly folks, it's Nauvoo, how could I not get a little choked up?!








To say I was excited to be back in Nauvoo was an understatement!
I had even started to make friends with the animals in town. And although I know this is a picture of an ox, I can admit an EFY first for me, I had a COW!!! (If you don't know EFY lingo to know what that means...just ask me)

I love this picture. There were about 220 of us at this session of EFY and it was quite the site to see the gospel being studied by the youth in such a beautiful and sacred setting along the Mississippi River.





This is where we, the "Rockwell Family," had gospel study together every morning.

The youth of the Rockwell Family were fantastic! We all had so much fun together. Even though it was just a matter of David being double-jointed, we definitely took advantage of the opportunity to go for the shock effect with the health counselors.

I honestly can not remember the last time I laughed as much as I did with these 3 Co-counselors (Ben, Tommy & Alyssa). We got along so well, and absolutely loved working together. To say we had family unity was an understatement, because we could not get enough of each other. I think I forgot there were even other counselors at the session because I just loved this Rockwell Team so darn much! (This picture is when we told the youth we were just going to start randomly posing. Oh and Alyssa is re-enacting what Tommy came up to her and did at the dance during the song "You say it best, when you say nothing at all"-awkward)














Here I am as proud "Mama Tiffanie" (in the blue) with all of the youth of the "Rockwell Family". I seriously loved these kids! We are standing infront of the land once owned by Porter Rockwell, close friend and self-appointed body guard of the prophet Joseph Smith.

The week could not have been brought to a better end than with an amazing show by BYU's accapella group "Vocal Point." I know a guy or two or three in it and as you can see, the kids seriously had a great time! (If you look closely, my COW is in this picture)

I had debated for a couple of days whether or not to work this session of EFY and I am so glad I chose to accept the offer! I could not have asked for a more amazing group of kids who loved Nauvoo, loved each other, and loved us as crazy counselors. (And I'm not lying when I say we were a bit nutty). When the week came to an end, it was the first time since going to EFY as a youth that I didn't want the week to end and I felt like I could have just stayed there loving every moment with those people. Awww! EFY--you bring such joy to my life!

Oh what do you do in the summertime....

I'm lucky and I'm "assigned" to be a visiting teacher for my friend, Alexis, which means I get to invite myself to hang out with her at least once a month and she can't (or shouldn't) tell me no. Ha ha! Since Rebecca (my companion), Alexis and I all currently are spending our time at home on these wonderful summer days, we decided to get a little creative this time.

So this past Sunday evening we planned an exciting Monday full of swimming at Alexis' apartment complex, followed by a yummy picnic and then set to end with the VTing message. As I was going to sleep on Sunday night, I was definitely looking forward to Monday's activities.

And then I woke up...and it was raining...and swimming was cancelled....and needless to say I was GROUCHY!! I don't know why exactly, but it was one of those ruts where I just wanted to pity myself all day, even though the reality was that nothing really was wrong.

I went to the grocery store to buy my fruit to contribute to what was now going to be an indoor picnic. I admit I was not super friendly with the produce man. In fact, I was on my phone when I walked in and when he asked me if I needed help with anything, I was quick to brush him off and shake my head no. I was so crabby! I ended my phone conversation and then paced back & forth between the already quartered watermelons and the whole watermelons, debating which was actually the better buy. The produce man could probably see my inner debate and again asked if he could help me. I quickly said, "Nope. I'm great thanks"--(Tiff, you LIAR! Even the produce guy can see you're a horrible faker). The reality was, that at this point, I didn't even care about prices. I was so busy being a brat, pouting in my head, that my brain wasn't even computing the numbers.

It is also usually at this point that I realize I'm being a jerk and I start to tell myself to shake it off. That was about the same time Mr. Produce man came up to me once again and said "I want to make sure you get a good watermelon, Can I help you pick it?" All I could think was "Wow-good guy." I took a deep breath, smiled and said, "Sure."

Well all I can say is that the produce man at Dillon's on 6th & Lawrence St was probably the most excited person I've ever seen when it comes to produce. After knocking on a couple of melons, he finally found one that sounded hollow enough to satisfy him. I couldn't help but laugh when he thumped on the melon, then thumped on his own head and said "Yep, they both sound pretty hollow."

It felt good to laugh. I think I was actually still laughing when I got to Alexis' house. We had a great time. Here's our yummy spread. (Yes, fresh pineapple too)Alexis had made us grilled chicken sandwiches, fully loaded with avocados. cucumbers and please let's not forget the spreadable Swiss cheese! Rebecca had made a delectable salad with homemade croutons and introduced me to what is now probably my favorite dressing. The day hadn't started off so well, but by the end of being with these girls, I think my sandwich says it all.
PS... I called Dillon's later and asked to speak to a manager. You can only imagine the shock when I wanted to leave an employee compliment, rather than an employee complaint. I encourage us all to do that more often.

EFY Kansas July 6-12

Kansas EFY..it's like music to my ears! I love this session! Whether I am a youth or a counselor, it always was, and continues to be, a fantastic experience every year!

Here are the youth I claimed as mine during the week. We were the company named "Shaken in Mind." After being in Nauvoo with 16-18 yr olds, I was blessed with the Kansas experience of 14 & 15 yr olds. They're definitely different! Still fun, just different
I love the Lied Center at KU! We pretty much live in this building all week long. Classes, devotionals, the fireside, testimony meetings, variety show, musical program, etc all take place in this beautiful performing arts center. We are so spoiled! Both years as a counselor, I was asked to sing. Singing for the youth in the Lied Center is pretty much the coolest thing ever! Forget the American Idol finale @ the Kodak Theatre. EFY @ the Lied Center is what I'm talking about!!

This is Adrianne. She is awesome. I love her a lot. She was one of the youth in my group (The Wrath to Come) back when I was a counselor here in Kansas in 2004. She's all grown up and a counselor too now (and no surprise-she's still amazing!) We had fun being together again!

Here are some of the youth of "Shaken in Mind" during the service project. This year EFY had the kids loom hats for babies.

The banquet and last dance of the week are "Best Dress," without fail, as a counselor, I'm so busy helping the girls get ready, I never have time to do my own hair. It's become a tradition, I've decided. But hey, at least I had red shoes on! That's always fun!

I love the Ballroom at the Kansas Union. Again, we are so spoiled to be able to use such nice facilities at KU. This is where all of our dances took place during EFY.

I can't think of a better way to describe my week of Kansas EFY than with the look on my face in this picture. At times, I thought the chaos would never end. Oh the youth...gotta love 'em!

I love Jake! He was my Co-counselor for the week. We got along really well and had so much fun in the process of everything. I survived the week's chaos thanks to him!