Happiness.

Every year for our birthdays, my Gramma and Grampa used to call on and sing the Happy Birthday Song. Since my Gramma got dementia and passed away last year, we now call each other up and sing the song.  It's very fun because we all sing the song in different ways, as I've mentioned before.  This year, for HollieFest 2010, I got quite the variety...

I had Traci and Chris singing very slowly "so it will last longer."  I got my parents singing in a peppy version, kind of how my Gramma and Grampa used to sing it.  I got Ashley singing in a mumbling manner (while on the toilet, btw).  My brother called and sang the his own version of the song to the tune of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance,"  His wife, Trudie, called me later with the kids (Jackie and Owen) with their cute little voices, which I ALWAYS look forward to.  My Aunt Sally and cousin Mimi also called and sang ending with "You better know who this is!"

But my favorite this year goes to my little sister TIffany, her husband Seanie and daughter, Jady.  They actually sent me a video song!  What a great idea!  So without further ado, here is my birthday video (Sorry the video is sideways, I don't know how to fix it):

OctoberFest.

October has always been my favorite month of the whole year.  October means the beginning of fall, my favorite season.  It also means Halloween, scarf weather, the beginning of all of the best holidays, Black Friday and, of course, HollieFest (which, in case you forgot, is November 13th).

This October was extremely busy!  I barely had any nights to myself, but it was all worth it.  Now, if only I can recover!

I went with my mom to get her Disneyland pass we bought her for her birthday.  (Got to love all of the Halloween decor at The Happiest Place On Earth!)

I celebrated my oldest sister, Traci's birthday.

I survived a whole day wearing my new 5" heels.

I gained a new hatred towards napkins, along with my cousin D'Arcy and our friend Michelle.

I reunited with my cousins (Nate, Michelle, Me, D'Arcy, April and Devin) in Utah.

I saw one of my bestie cousin's (April) get married.

I went to Texas for the first time and had a Texan BBQ as a rehearsal dinner for my bestie, Amanda.

(Joe, Steph, Jaime, Amanda, Jason, Me, Danielle, Lorretta.)

I helped coordinate our bestie, Amanda's wedding with my bestie Danielle.

I saw my bestie, Amanda get married to Jason.

I went to a reception with a 12 course Chinese meal.

(Here Danielle and I are trying Sea Cucumber.  It wiggled like Jello when the waiter put it down.)

I discovered Sea Cucumber is not my favorite.  (Think of eating fat from meat but without the gristle.)

I met up with a friend I haven't seen in forever at  The Chocolate Bar.

(Thanks again for driving down, Kellie!  AND for lunch!)

I went to Knott's Scary Farm -- Twice!  (Danielle with her monster bf.)

I met up with a new friend, Holly, at another TAPS event.  (This time in Beverly Hills at The Saban Theatre.)

I learned that 3 of the guys from the SyFy show, 'Fact or Faked' are Mormon and actually go to my friend's ward in HB.  (Btw, one guy served me rice at a luau I went to with my rents.)

I took another pix with my girl crush, Amy Bruni from Syfy's  Ghost Hunters (and apparently was possessed in the process).

I schooled my sister Tiffany on Buzz at Disneyland.  (Yes, my score is above her head for some reason.)

I was part of my niece Jaiden's entourage during her first time Trick or Treating!  (She was Minnie Mouse.)

So much stuff happened in October but unfortunately, I don't have pix of everything!  I know, right?!  ME?!?  Without pix to prove the other fun things?  I figured the 47 I just posted will suffice.  I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween!  I know I did!  And now, on to November!

A Taste of My Halloween.

Part of my Halloween fun includes watching scary TV shows or Horror movies!  Here's an example (and yes, these are 2 of my girl crushes, lol):

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Bookmark.

I have quite a few bookmarks that I've collected throughout my years of reading.  I even have one with a unicorn on it that I got in elementary school that has a pink tassel on it.  I like to switch between them when I open a new book.  The one I recently brought out to use is very fitting as to how I am feeling these past few weeks...

"Count your night by stars,
Not shadows.
Count your years with smiles,
Not tears.
Count your blessings,
Not your troubles.
Count your age by friends,
Not years."

I don't remember who gave this bookmark to me, but thank you.

Happiness.

One of my favorite things to do is be with my nieces and nephew at Disneyland with my family.  This week has proven no different.  I had the opportunity to meet up with my sister Tiffany and her husband Seanie and their little girl Jaiden at Disneyland twice (so far) this week.  And yes, we plan on going again and again!

Jady is getting so big!  She's talking now and the other day she pointed to my purse, which has a Mickey Mouse on it (after all, it's my DLand purse) and said, "Mimmy!"  That is her version of Mickey.  She also calls Minnie "Mimmy" as well.  I was able to get a video of her doing it today while the Pixar Parade started at California Adventure.

Translation:
Mimmy = Mickey or Minnie Mouse
Duck Duck = Donald Duck
Woof Woof/Puppy = Pluto
Goofy = Goofy

Jady also loves to watch the parades and shows and tries to join them every time!  She is an excellent dancer and even claps to the beat (most of the time)!

Catalina Boat Dives.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to dive Catalina, boat style!  I have always wanted to dive off of Catalina.  As you recall, I did the kelp forest at Casino Park with my friend Marisa.  Well this was another great adventure!

We took a boat out and dove 3 separate dives with the company Scuba Luv.  I don't remember if you remember the previous posting about this company but I had a little "run in" with the mayor of Avalon.  Well, he was our captain on this boat and I kept praying he wouldn't remember me!  Haha!  Lucky for me, he didn't.

We had such a blast!  The water was in the lower to mid-60's but the sights we encountered made the cold worthwhile.  On the first dive, we saw a giant Sea Bass, but unfortunately, not one, but both of my calves cramped up so tight I had to dig into the sand and try to stretch them out.  Thankfully I was able to continue on.  It's such an amazing feeling coasting through those kelp forests.  It's unlike anything else I've experienced.  It sort of remind me of driving through a thick fog until it finally comes to a clearing because the kelp can get so thick!

The second dive was my favorite of the three.  It was a pinnacle so all we had to do was swim in an upward spiral.  We saw lots of fun critters including Lobsters, Eels and an Octopus!  We were cruising along and I was looking around.  I looked down and noticed slow motion movement that I thought was an eel at first, until I saw the tentacles!  We played with him for a bit until he squeezed himself through the tiniest crack!  what amazing little creatures!

The third dive was pretty easy breezy.  As we were cruising along, we looked down and saw something that looked like a giant Nudibranch.  We went deeper, appeasing our curiosities and laid down on the sand.  The thing was huge!  As we sat there watching, he slowly moved along, inching across the ocean floor.  Come to find out, it was a Sea Hair.  I've never even heard of these before but it was pretty cool to find!

All in all, the dives were definitely worth my money.  I don't know how often I can do kelp forests because when you've done one you've pretty much done them all.  It still a  lot of fun though!

Ew!

Ummmmmm..... WHAT?!?