the end of summer, the welcoming of fall.

This past weekend I went to the Twilight Concert series again and saw Iron & Wine and Okerville river play this time. I though Okerville was okay but I got tired of them pretty quick. It probably didn't help either that I was really tired and very hot. But then again, who can complain when it is a free concert? Luckily, I caught a quick breather, cooled down, and enjoyed iron & wine. He is a grizzly man and plays and sings beautiful stuff. I only wish that he would've told everyone to sit down, close their eyes if they were so inclined ,and just enjoy the music. You don't exactly rock out to iron & wine- you just become entranced by the music. I think the perfect setting to listen to him would be a small crowd around a campfire or him playing next to your bed as you fall asleep. But I guess an outdoor amplitheater with a thousand other hipster kids squished right next to you will have to do. He did do a good job and played some good songs. He didn't play one of my favorites- Promising Light, but I guess beggars can't be choosers. Overall, though, I enjoyed the concert.

The concert seemed to mark the end of summer. The days of a new school year, fall weather and fashion, football season, and a student-crowded Provo seem to almost be here. As always, I am excited. Excited for what this new and last year at college holds for me. Excited to live in the Candy Shoppe with 5 best friends. Excited for the new friends I'll meet and the memories I'll make with the old ones. Excited for fall boots and sweaters. Excited for the colorful leaves and drives up the Provo Canyon. Excited for a cougar football season (let's hope they're good this year). Excited for group study sessions in the harold where hardly any work actually gets done and late night finishing of projects, with runs to 7-11 for a Dr. Pepper and a chocolate donut to keep me awake. Excited for this 09-10 school year- it's my last at BYU and I intend to go out with a bang.

Summer, you've been good to me. but fall, I welcome you with open arms.

my first niece:

miss AVA GRACE COOK

Well I finally have a niece and while she may still be very tiny, she is absolutely precious and perfect in every way. Little miss ava was born on August 13, 2009, about 6 weeks early. She is very small- weighing a mere 3 lbs and 6 oz. and has a skinny, delicate little body. Her arms and legs are quite long but very skinny. Even at her young age she is breathing by herself which is really good news. She will have to be in the hospital for a bit longer so the incubator can help her tiny body grow to its normal newborn size but is doing well with all the tubes and lights. I have not been able to hold her yet but even just looking at her I can tell that she is beautiful and precious in every way. I can't wait to spoil her with candy and bows and anything that will make me the favorite aunt.

This is right after she was born- and apparently coming out with lipstick on. Look at those darling little red lips!

This will help show how tiny she really is. Grandpa's hand right next to her teensy body.

Again, grandpa's finger showing how small her little foot is.

I am so happy to see this new little girl come and finally have a niece. Congratulations to my brother and sister in law for having such a beautiful baby girl.

book reviews

I have recently finished 2 books and would like to recommend them to anyone looking for a good book to read. I enjoyed them both and will give a brief synopsis of the book to see if anyone might be interested. The books are:

1. "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver:

This book is a long one and at times can get a little slow but it is worth the read, especially if you like reading and learning more about Africa. It is a story of a family of a preacher, his wife, and 4 daughters who move to Africa. It is told from the perspective of each of the 4 daughters and the mom every once in awhile. It is interesting to hear each of their perspectives on their situation down in Africa. The last 200 pages or so make the book entirely worth it. The writing is incredible, along with the great symbolism and themes that are strewn throughout the book. This book changed my perspective somewhat on Europeans conquering Africa and American trying to "help" Africa. There is a lot of good and interesting insight about religion, human natue, individuality, and geography. I really liked it and if anyone reads it I'd love to discuss it! (it's a great book to discuss.. I need a book group)

2. "The Guernsey Literary and the Potato Peel Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

This is such a cute read. It only took me a couple days to finish it- partially because I loved reading it and also because it is not very long. It is a sweet little book sent in London, England and the time period is right after World War 2. I knew I would love it from the start when it mentioned London and places like Covent Garden that I recognized. The book is about a female witty journalist/writer who gets in touch with a literary society (book group) who is from the Guernsey Islands. I had no idea these islands existed before, but they are south of England and technically apart of the U.K. There is a bit of history involved in the story- the island was invaded and taken over by the Germans during WW2. The witty writer seeks to know more about the people that live there, thost that are apart of the literary society, and what life was like during the war. This is a charming and amusing book filled with humor, love, a bit of sadness and a touch of history- all of which made me wish I was apart of the Potato Peel Society. I definitely recommend it.

growing up with harry potter.

I recently saw the 6th Harry Potter movie (midnight showing of course) and the best part about watching the movie is not the movie itself, but the environment and magical vibe. Midnight showings are always filled with adults and kids alike who love Harry Potter and are there to show their support and loyalty to the world of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Many people dress up (including myself), perhaps in hopes that we'll feel like we too can fit in at Hogwart's. Being amongst fellow zealous Harry fans makes me feel normal for constantly hoping for an acceptance letter from Hogwart's or that I consider myself to be apart of the DA (Dumbledore's Army), or that I refer to Harry, Ron, and Hermione as if they were long time friends. Now some of you who most unfortunately didn't read the books or never felt that magic may think I am completely crazy, but for those friends- and I know you are out there, know exactly what I am talking about. We grew up with Harry. We opened and turned those pages for the first time with excitement and wonder-like the first time Harry found out he was a wizard and not some ordinary boy living underneath the stairs. Reading the books, we too became no ordinary young readers, but were swept up in the magic, right along with Harry.

These books were much more than a simple story written on a napkin, but the creation of a whole new world- one that felt so real, that even now some of us wonder if we are just merely muggles unable to tap into the magical world we so wish to be apart of. Luckily for us, Orlando Studios is building a Harry Potter theme park. If Harry Potter theme park lives up to all that I think it can be, Disneyland may be replaced as the happiest place on earth. I have many ideas on what they could do for the theme park and I have discussed many of these with fellow fans. Now clearly it will be no Hogwart's but anything closely related to the magical world is alright by me. Maybe i'll be able to find a portkey that will take me to the real deal- one can only hope.

I didn't just read Harry Potter, I grew up with him. When I wasn't reading or re-reading one of the books I was counting down the days til the next one came and the fight against voldemort would press on. Very sadly those days are over. Sure I have some movies to look forward to which is fun, but it is nothing like the anticipation that comes from waiting for the newest book. My fellow fans can agree that finishing the last book was a bittersweet day. It marked the end of an era. a very good era. Sure we can go back and read the books, read them to our future kids, go to HP theme parks, and attend midnight showing, but never will we again open up the books for the first time and faithfully yet greedily pry through each page in search for the next magical adventure we hope to be absorbed into.

So for those who are reading this and haven't read or finished the HP series I hope this encourages you to read them. You are lucky to have the books ahead of you for the first time so sieze up your fortunate opportunity. As for my fellow fans and I, I think JK Rowling said it best in her 7th book dedication:

"The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."

We grew up with Harry and and being the loyal fans that we are, stood by him until the bitter end. This is my praise and adoration for the 7 books and the characters and stories within them that I came to love. Here's to you, Harry Potter.

back seat.

So my blog writing has taken a back seat lately in the busy life of kellee marie. Okay so I'm not that busy but sometimes I just don't want to put forth the effort to type something up. This is what has been happening for the past couple months. I still read other people's blogs and write comments, but when it comes to my own blog, I become commentless. I do however feel like I am going to become a bit more consistent. I wrote up a Harry Potter blog just last week that I have yet to post but it's just about finished and my fellow harry potter fans will hopefully appreciate it. I also have a couple book reviews I am thinking about posting. Be excited.