The Nelsons: More Fourth* Of* July

This year for the 4th we went to Stadium of Fire for the third year in a row. I was really looking forward to this one this year because I knew and liked all of the talent. It was Jenny Oaks-Baker (she is Elder Oaks grand-daughter who is an amazing violinist. She was first chair in one of the best symphonies in the world), also the five Browns. (They are five siblings that all went to Juilliard and now play five grand pianos together all at once), and Carrie Underwood!

Josh's mom works for Freedom Festival. Since non of us could budget a ticket this year she was able to find us free seats in the restricted view section. (They were free because they were really bad seats right next to the side of the stage, and you couldn't hardly see... hence the name "restricted view" section. Non-the-less all of us preferred to go rather than not. Non of us complained, I was just happy to be able to go at all. There were some big screens you could see everything on.

Anyways, we were privileged to be able to go to the pre-show again this year. It is dinner and snacks for all of the people involved in Stadium and their families. Plus the talent usually comes in and gives a quick little introduction. (Last year was Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus the year before.... meh.... that was fine but this was CARRIE!) At the last minute before the talent was going to come in Josh's mom snuck me in the back where some of the Main people in the company and their kids etc. were able to meet Carrie Underwood and get their picture taken with her. So that was flipping awesome. Im not the kind of person that cries and worships the ground celebrities walk on. (They are just talented people). However, I love her music and was SUPER excited to get to meet her. Unlike Miley Cyrus she is a genuinely good singer. Like amazing. I can't imagine how hard it would be to hear yourself in an outdoor stadium like that and still sing on key. She was dead on. Amazing talent.

So that was cool, but it got even better.

Just before the show started, we were sitting in our seats (Josh, myself, JJ and Lynn) and Josh's mom calls. She told us that there were four open seats in the field on the second row! I just about freaked. We had the best view ever. I suppose that was our reward for not complaining about our bad seats. She was less than 25 feet away from us at one point and she played to our side of the stage almost the hole time! It was SO awesome. One of the best concerts i've been to in a long time. And you can't beat free.

Jenny Oaks Baker and the Five Browns were also amazing and so fun to watch. They all really get into what they do. Such talented people that I feel so privileged to have seen. Thank you again Moo! Disclaimer: That has been Josh's nick name for his mom for years, it has nothing to do with a cow.

Here are some pictures and videos from the night. I am sorry about the sound. We were right in front of the speakers and my poor little camera couldn't handle the loud noise.

The gang