Monday, September 21, 2009

Not The Mona Lisa

This is Mona.


















Pretty hot right?




Mona and I took part in a blog tour hosted by:

Better in Bulk
Mama's Losin' It
Mayhem and Moxie
Scary Mommy
& 7 Clown Circus



When she showed up at my doorstep I was blinded by the sun bouncing off her metallic cuffs wrapped around her tiny, yet oh so strong wrists. I was a little hesitant and skeptical about her visit, but after I saw that she was wearing nothing but this primary colored fantastical starry leotard that I knew we would be best friends forever.

And ever.

This was her first trip to Utah so I felt compelled to show her around, first stop of course was my house. I had been anticipating her visit and hoped she would get along with my furry children. She and Dozer had a rough start,





But after Mona explained that she was in fact not a dog toy and did not show up just for his entertainment and ultimate snack, Dozer began to realize that Mona was special. Very special indeed.




To show that he had no hard feelings, he treated her to a massage. Technically the massage chair treated her, but whatev.





As I contemplated where to start her tour of Utah, I thought to myself, when one thinks of Utah, what’s the first thing that pops into their mind?

Mormons.

Mona heard that the men in Utah all had at least 12 wives and 52 children, so what better place for us to start our tour than at Brigham Young’s old house? This is where he and his million wives and billion children lived, now called The Beehive House.





Moving along, she got acquainted with Joseph Smith and his first wife.





I showed her the Lion House where many wedding luncheons are held.




And I showed her probably the most famous building in Utah, The Salt Lake City Temple.




At any given time you can usually catch a bride and groom exiting the temple after getting married, as we did here.




Mona couldn’t believe the absolutely beautiful architecture of the temple and the fine details surrounding the whole building.





We visited the old conference building where the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir practices.





I showed her the pioneers and told her of the heroic stories of them traveling by handcart across the United States to Utah.





Upon exiting Temple Square we came across the usual transits begging for money. This chick apparently is pregnant and apparently is homeless and apparently has no money. But her hair was purple. I didn’t understand how she could dye her hair when she didn’t have any money in the first place.




But I gave her a dollar anyway.

We then ran into these two riff raffs that were actually performing for cash, I won’t tell you how much cash it took to get them to take a picture with Mona, I’ll just say Mona was feeling very generous that day.




Moving on we went to my personal favorite coffee shop in the state, Beans and Brews. We shared a Pumpkin Spice latte while discussing the economy and some smart shit like that.





And what goes better with coffee than donuts? The best donuts in Utah can be found in downtown SLC at Banbury Cross Donuts. My dad and I alone could keep these guys in business; luckily the rest of Utah agrees that these donuts simply rock!




I showed Mona where I went to School, The University of Utah. Which is also where the opening ceremony for the 2002 winter Olympics was held. Yep, take that Canada!







Just like our license plates claim, we really do have the best snow on earth. I mean check out the mountains?




Later on that evening I treated Mona to the best pizza in Utah, Sweet Home Chicago. (Yes I am aware that the pizza doesn’t really represent Utah at all, but still, it’s in Utah right?)




It was here that she witnessed the utter destruction that happens every time I eat at this place.




I thought it best to call it a night after that!


Next stop on our tour was the desert.




Otherwise known as St. George Utah, where people are known to melt into the pavement from the heat. We visited our condo and Mona enjoyed the sun.




She also found a new friend in Logan who was happy to show her around.






Later that evening Mona was able to go to a play at the Tuacahn Theatre! She couldn’t believe how beautiful the outdoor theatre was with nature’s red rock as it's back drop.




She had a great time.




The last day of her stay in Utah we spent at the State Fair! And well, you know what goes on at a state fair.
























So I think I wore Mona out because she slept for 5 hours after the fair, but she loved it, I could tell by the smile on her face!

Now go check out where she headed next!

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

That Mox is one crazy gal!

These pics are hilarious! Ku-Dos!

Unknown said...

That Mona has been one busy super hero. Thanks for sharing your tour.

Liz Mays said...

You are too much fun! I can't believe what you made that poor thing go through but it was worth it!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Great tour it was fun seeing Mona in my home state. Love that she gave some attention to the homeless lady hope you hand sanitized her body after that!!

mommakin said...

TOO fun! I think the shot of her with the goat (?) might be my fave...

Queenie Jeannie said...

Forget the damn doll - I WANT TO BE TAKEN ALL AROUND!!!! You are an awesome tour guide!

Fresh lemonade..........ahhhh, love that stuff! Fair food...drooooling!

Scary Mommy said...

I agree with Queenie Jeannie-- you are one rocking tour guide!!! Can I plan a trip your way? Please?!?! Looks like she had a blast. Smart girl. :)

Kathy B! said...

I just hope you dipped Mona in hand sanitizer when you got her home :)

And I'm glad Dozer didn't eat her! I thought that's where this was headed!

Rebecca Jo said...

I about DIED with the picture with the homeless lady... how did you do that? she was willing to do it? That's HILARIOUS!!!!

I like the one with Mona's face poking through the head holes with your sister... Mona picked the best weekend to come to your house!

Kristina P. said...

Man! My Mona should have hung out with your Mona. I hope mine doesn't see this. She will be jealous.

Especially since we didn't even make it to the State Fair.

KatBouska said...

Oh. My. GOODNESS! You gave Mona the time of her stinking LIFE!

I can't believe you posed her at the Temple!! Haha...isn't that some sort of crime over there?? I think I specifically remember a Mormon rule about not posing super heros in the doors of the Temple, no?

Awesome job on this post! I love it!!

Rebecca said...

Love it! Thanks for showing us around Utah :)!

Kasey said...

wow, she's went to a lot of places. Great pics. very creative.

MamaJoss said...

I don't even know where to start here! LOL...so funny what you did with MM...and great shots to show it all off. Loved stopping by here today for this -- I'll be back... :)

Sarahviz said...

I sure hope Mona took a bath after the fair!

Jennifer P. said...

your Mona was kept much better entertained than mine. Don't call Mona Protective Services on me or anything :).

Great post! Great pictures!

Love from Idaho!

Claremont First Ward said...

What animal had it's way with her head? Looks like she had quite the visit in SLC. I love visiting all the historic places in SLC, especially the Pioneer Museum on Capitol Hill. And, I'm taking note of the bakery for my new trip to Utah......I've told you most of my family lives there, right?

heidi said...

Wooot! Livin it up in Utah! I did my "formative years" right there in SLC - well, West Valley to be precise (don't judge) so it was fun to see all the places and recognize them.

Anonymous said...

Wow that sounds like a trip to remember - you really showed Mona a good time! And after reading about her trip I'm suddenly ravenously hungry... hmmm...

Amy B. said...

Yay for Mona and all, but that riffraff guitar player is hot!

Jen said...

Wow what an awesome trip! I must say that her trip to the fair was my favorite.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Haha, this is great!

I love how you handed Mona off to random people. I'd be too shy to do that.

Heather of the EO said...

You showed her lots of stuff! She's got to be so tired from all this excitement. Go Mona! :)

Eve said...

She really went a little wild at the fair, didn't she? Crazy little gal!

Unknown said...

okay, that was totally full of awesome fun.

when i come to visit you, though, i'm not sure i want to be stuffed down someone's shirt and licked.

depending on who that someone is, i may be swayed to change my mind.

also, did i detect a "spit on canada" moment?

i'm totally offended.

but if you could just mail some donuts and coffee stuff from utah to me, all will be forgiven.

andy

KarieK said...

Man Mona will surely need a vacation just from her Monday visits! Awesome!! I love the benevolence.

Karie

Dani Brems said...

Those pictures are Hilarious! I like how she sat on the toilet at the fair and then went right into Logan's hands.

Marissa said...

I can't believe you didn't get a picture of Mona with that HUGE fugly ginormous stinky pig at the fair. Pretty sure you know which one I'm referring to. We were fine with the bit of stink in the pens until we got to him and just about passed out. Ooh, and did she find the pretty much bald/shaved pigs a bit freaky???

Anonymous said...

WOW you and Mona had a lot going on in Utah, I bet she loved it!

Anonymous said...

That was one HECK of a busy day for the poor Mona. I think she has a belly ache in that last pic.... Or maybe it was from sitting on that cow.

Amy said...

Stopping by from SITS. What great pictures you took! It looks like Mona had a wonderful time!

cathy said...

I've been to SLC several times now but have yet to make it to all of the touristy things. Clearly I need to take the Mona tour the next time I'm in your town!

Justine said...

OMG girl, no one is going to have shown her a better time than you did! But my goodness, she did a lot of posing with her legs spread, ya know? I almost thought you'd impaled her crotch on the temple's fence! And she was getting funky with barn animals too! Damn, why couldn't I be there????? I can't believe you let the purple-headed "homeless" chick hold her though. God, I hope you wiped her ugly ass (yes, Mona is ugly!) down with anti bacterial stuff!

Justine :o )

Texasholly said...

Whew! Mona deserved that nap. What fun.

Momma@Live. Laugh. Pull your hair out said...

Mona, Mona, Mona....you get around!!!

yulz said...

I'm sure she'll never forget that Trip haha

Gosh ! I need some of that too, I love touring

Musings of the Mrs. said...

Wow! What a time Mona had with you!

Hit 40 said...

OMG!!! Did you swallow the whole freaking bottle of your kid's ADHD drugs!! Too funny!!

I can not believe that you got people to hold the darn superwoman toy for you. I want to swab the toy for germs now. I bet it has swine flu germs, a little strep, and definitely at least one STD from getting around town.

Hit 40 said...

AND OMG AGAIN!~~ I was reading through the comments and Kathy B was worried about germs too!! We both have our issues.

brokenteepee said...

I am soooooo glad there was a goat that made it perfect for me. You are lucky the goat didn't eat the poor doll.

Dolly said...

No wonder you liked my, THIS IS THE PLACE post:) You and Mona have been all over Utah this month! (Pretty cool)-drop by my house next time your going through Cedar City. I'll share my jello-salad recipe.

Anne said...

Wow - you guys were busy! I love the pictures of her with all the animals at the fair - how fun!

Lee said...

Dude, you went all out with all of that. Jeese!
I love the picture of the donut guy. He's all stoic, holding a little doll.

Julia said...

I bet your not aloud back in the temple now are you??? Well that girl Mona gets around now doesn't she. And I don't mean in a good way!!! She rode everything in Utah. *snicker*

What a trip. Now I have seen EVERYTHING! Well done Pooba.

AdriansCrazyLife said...

Hmmmmm - Banbury Cross. My favorite. When I get a donut craving, I will go clear across the valley to get them. Glad you showed Mona such a great time.

Mayhem and Moxie said...

This post brought tears to my eyes, Poob, tears to my eyes. I can't believe how many simply outrageous pictures you took. It was beautiful. I must say that your commitment to the cause is humbling. For many of these, I thought, WOW, it is shocking Poob didn't get arrested for that one. The police force in Utah is WAY more forgiving than in California. :)

Love you! And so glad that I finally figured out how to comment from our new blog and not as TBBC. Took me an entire day! I'm back for good.

Now, can we get down to business and figure out where Albert is going to law school?

xoxo

Jamie said...

just dropping a line to let you know that I fixed that commenting issue on my blog. Looks like Mona had a good time in Utah!

Heather@WHMB said...

You are quite the tour guide! Really out did yourself for Mona and those pictures - awesome.

If the whole accounting thing doesn't work out you definitely have a back up plan.

Stephanie Faris said...

What FUN! Mona gets around. I don't think I live an exciting enough life to show Mona all that good a time in Nashville!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! Mona had a serious adventure out there! I was a little worried about the back-of-the-toilet photo, but I can see Mona was still going strong. Whew!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

OMGosh Mona what a lucky girl you are to have stayed with Pooba! That is one heck of a treat, I so want to visit to go see all that fun stuff.

I can't get over how many great people took their picture with you!

I think Logan may be a cute new boyfriend for you ;).

LadyStyx said...

Wow. Tired me out just with the highlights...looks like a blast though.

Ashley said...

Wow! What a fun vacation for Mona.... except the public toilet scene. I don't think I could be friends with Mona after that. Haha!

Superdumb Supervillain said...

Wow, she does get around, huh?!

Julie H said...

I thoroughly (did I spell that right?) enjoyed the vist to Utah with MONA as did my co worker who walked by and saw me reading when I was supposed to be working. :cough: :cough:

What did the "homeless" woman think of you asking her to pose with Mona lmao.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice said...

That was awesome! Although I don't think that was dressed very appropriately at temple square. Must have got lots of dirty looks. Naughty.

;)

Michelle said...

I love that you took her all over Salt Lake and St. George. I laughed my ass off when I saw her at the temple but especially hard when I saw you put her on the cow. ON THE COW. You kill me girl!

nicole said...

I just hope Mona got to take a shower when you were done! Too fun!!

Jennifer said...

Holy cow! Mona's time in Utah looked fuuuntastic! Woah. Who knew there was so much to do and see there?! LOL! She had to have been hurting at the end of her visit with you - you guys brought her EVERYWHERE! And all the cool people who wanted to pose with her?! FABULOUS! Bravo! :-)

JennyMac said...

HAHAHAH..every pic better than the next. And, I hope she goes a good shower after being chewed on by the goat.

Janalyn and Rob said...

Quite the travels! Looks to me like Miss Mona is in serious need of some anti-bacterial something or other! :)

j.sterling said...

these pics are awesome!!!!! i want to come there and take pics too! i'm sending myself to you now!

Megan said...

Wow, Mona's been busy!! Looks like you showed her the time of her life, though!! =D

Janelle said...

I can only imagine what you bribed some folks with to take these shots!! Utah looks fun and beautiful. How did Moma manage to stay so clean after all the activity?

Stacy Uncorked said...

I want to be Mona for a day (or a month) and come visit you! You showed her SUCH a FUN time! :)

Live.Love.Eat said...

I never equated Utah with Mormons until I started blogging actually!!!!! Then I actually asked Kristina P if there was any history behind that.

You did a great job showing Mona around. Beans & Brews sounds like my type of place and I use just as many napkins whenever go to Mexican.

ChicagoLady said...

You were simply an awesome tourguide! You even convinced your sisters and strangers to pitch in. The only thing that Mona might still want to see in Utah are the Osmonds. How come you didn't take her to meet them?

Kameron said...

She is probably fed up with carousels by now! Way to get some blackmail shots of her. We may need those in the future!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

Now I'm starving!! You showed Mona a great time. I'm wondering how "generous" she really was, though.... ;)

scrappysue said...

i wish i had her energy!!! great post