Green Day & an update on life...

So life continues...we try to get by & sometimes things fall by the wayside in the process. At least this time it was 2 weeks as opposed to 3 with the Peter Gabriel post...sorry but at least it is progress. Mathew's Dad is in the ICU struggling to stay alive, Mathew is there by his side & I am taking a "vacation" from work because I don't have anyone to watch the kids. Honestly I am grateful Mathew was able to get out there in case his Dad looses his fight. It's been 2 years since any of us have been back "home" & that has been TOO long...even though it feels like just a short amount of time...

The kids are doing well. Gina is in the winter color guard at school & was good enough to make the rifle line :) Izzy started the cello in orchestra at school but is still doing the violin too. Gabe had his wax museum at school and was Pat Garrett...he killed Billy the Kid. Laney is completely potty trained during the day...still drinks too much through out the night to have the training done then too. & Isaac & Michael are just along for the ride.

So it is Thanksgiving week & while it sometimes feels like we don't have a lot to be thankful for...we do. As we come to the end of this year we are still wondering what happened to it all because lets face it, wasn't it just New Years??? Time seems to be gaining speed and we seem to be slowing down... Over all though we can't complain. Over all we have a good life full of many wonderful things. We just need to remember to take the bad along with the good...

So in honor of Thanksgiving we're playing Green Day this week...I know...odd choice...not really a group you associate with Thanksgiving...but it is based on one song: "Macys Day Parade" Which when you listen to it really has NOTHING to do with Thanksgiving or even the parade... Just the title & the first line. Still it felt appropriate. Mostly because when I am bogged down I need to listen to something that has a driving beat...screaming guitar...that has lyrics that aren't always the most uplifting...but are identifiable: attention to Basketcase...it is my theme song currently...or even Paranoia would fit me...ANYWAY it's time to sit back, crank up the sound...because it just works better that way...& pull out of the freakin funk. Really though some of their songs just fit life &the things that happen. Plus since their debut album "Dookie" in 1994 we have been raising our family so I can identify each child's birth...minus Ginas~she's just old... & life events with a Green Day song release. Best was "When September Ends" because I was due with Laney the beginning of October & I just wanted September to END when they released that song on the radio.

SO, this Basketcase with sever Paranoia is going to kick back, watch the Macy's Day Parade...this I really WILL do...and hope you have the Time of Your Life...I really do...& look for a Welcome to Paradide When September Ends...I know that was a stretch...not to mention cheesier than the Twilight movie... but I just couldn't end this on such a downer! Enjoy the music...

Paramore

So, it's a new week & a new band. Really I wasn't sure WHO to feature so Izzy suggested her favorite band: Paramore. I was really hoping that Playlist would have their two songs that are on the "Twilight" soundtrack. I am guessing that they are too new, as they weren't on Playlist. Although we have seen the video, very fun with teasers for the movie included in it :) Just under 2 weeks... Regardless, Paramore is a fun band that we like to listen too & hope you do too. Enjoy the music...

Where have we been???? NOT vacation...

So, it's been a while since we posted...sorry to all of you who have been forced to listen to Peter Gabriel for 3 weeks...OOPS! We have just been incredibly busy these past few weeks. Doing what? You name it...we did it...well, almost ;) Debbi & her family came to visit us over UEA for a week & we had a BALL! Movies, Frightmares at Lagoon(amusement park for those Non-Utahns~every fall they have fun/scary stuff to replace the water rides), family get togethers with the other siblings, marching band competition, it was fun to say the least. Best part is they will be moving back to Utah this weekend! WOO HOO!

Gina wrapped up marching band & is looking forward to Winter Drum Line. She managed to have THE most costumes this year, partially in thanks to the HS having dress up days the whole last week of October: She was "Clash Girl" for superhero day...looked exactly like Jenna Rink from "13 going on 30" for decade day, was a zombie for the Halloween concert, one of Charlies Angels at school on Halloween & then went to a Halloween party with Jared as a mobster...Mathew even let them post with his guns for pictures...Jared was in HEAVEN & holding the sniper rifle DEFINITELY made up for Gina making him to pictures;) Gina has the sniper in this photo though...sorry Jared!

Mike was a ninja & Mathew made an awesome sword for him out of wood. He went out with friends trick or treating & ended up with his pillow case 3/4 full! Yes he had a stomach ache by Sunday & surrendered the rest of his candy to me.

Gabe actually stayed with Laney, Isaac & me for trick or treating but we brought along a few of his friends. He was a zombie.

Gabe in the Halloween parade
Izzy was a pirate & went trick or treating with friends also...not quite as much candy as Mike but had fun none the less.


Izzy & her best friend India
Laney was Sleeping Beauty & had enough after 1 hour as she ran the whole time before that! Isaac was a penguin & rode in the stroller the whole time. Neither one would sit still for a picture :(

So now it is November, we have decided who our new president will be, gay marriage was banned, gas is under $2.50 & we got our family pictures done. Not bad considering it is only the 5th! Hopefully we will be more diligent about posting this month...just a few more days with Peter Gabriel so get your fix now!

Peter Gabriel

This weeks artist...Peter Gabriel...why did we choose him? Just feeling a little nostalgic. Watched Say Anything this weekend & just thought...Why not? What is it about 80's power ballads that are epic & at LEAST 5 minutes long. Sit back, imagine John Cusack standing in your driveway holding a boom box, or that YOU are John Cusack standing in some chicks driveway holding a boom box & enjoy the music...

Dave Matthews

So, in our honest opinion, Dave Matthews is BRILLIANT! Not to mention the rest of his band. Of course we couldn't find some of those rare songs on Playlist that really showcases their musicality but we found a few that we really love. Enjoy the music...

I did WHAT????

You know you're really over tired when: You write a note excusing your child from school & don't remember it!
Yes, it's true...Izzy had a headache and asked to stay home from school right after I got home from work and so when I woke up later on I assumed she had stayed home. When I got a call from her to let me know she was over at her friends house around 3:30Pm I was confused!
"What? How come you are over at a friends house when you didn't go to school?" I asked.
"Mom, don't you remember writing me a note to get me back into school late?"
"WHAT?! I didn't do that." I insisted.
"Yeah you did Mom."
I was blown away. I think I would remember that!
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I woke you up to tell you my headache was gone & I needed a note to get back into school & you said sure. So I got ready for school & went to get the note & you were asleep so I got paper & a pen, woke you up & you wrote a note for me to get back into school."
"Really?" STILL blown away by this fact and really having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I wrote a note in my sleep.
"Yeah."
"Ok then I guess I'll see you later then."
Immediately I am running out to the garage to talk to Mathew.
"Did I write a note for Izzy to get back into school?"
"I didn't so you must have. She had a note."
Needless to say, 13 hours later I am STILL blown away that this even happened.
You know you are tired when you do something like that...silver lining???? I don't DRIVE her to school!

TV Themes

Since last week was for the marching band...who got 3rd in their class over all and the drumline got 2nd (just 1 point behind 1st) in case you were wondering...we missed premere week on TV. So in honor of the shows that we are happy to see back on the TV...and happy there is NO strike this year...we have the themes we could find on Playlist. Enjoy the music...