Happy Thanksgiving to all

So despite all of the hectic things going on in our lives we do have a lot to be thankful for. While it seems like the world just keeps getting crazier and scarier with the economy, politics, war, etc. we feel extremely blessed. So we just wanted to let you all know that we feel blessed with health, love, family & friends. In light of these blessings we want to thank you for participating in our lives through this blog. It has been a fun new adventure for us & a great way for those that we love and care about to keep in touch with us over the many miles that physically separate us. Plus it has been fun to share a little bit of who we are with those who may not get the chance to know all of our family.

May you all take the time to reflect & give thanks on you own lives and the good things that are there...even if they are covered with some bad things, there is good in all of your lives. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A new fun thing on our blog

I have been wanting to add something "fun" to our blog for a while & thought... "what about a poll"? Of course I had NO idea what to poll about until my friend Heidi gave me this idea: How popular is your name? So I did a little research & got the results. Our numbers range from 1,736 down to 1 or less people named what we are named in the US. So for this first poll we are seeing who's name is the most popular. Go ahead and vote...we know you are ALL going through with drawl from NOT having a presidential race so maybe THIS will help ease the with drawl pains... The answers will be posted next week after the poll closes. Hope you enjoy this new aspect of our blogspot & participate. We WILL keep doing the poll regardless ;)

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...