Updates 'R Us

So it looks like we will be moving into our new home in about two weeks. Or should I say we will be signing the papers and giving a big lump sum of money to the loan people in about two weeks. ;)

After that we should be getting our keys, and getting things ready to move. We are going to paint the whole downstairs, and get the carpets cleaned before we start moving our stuff in.

The house isn't thrashed like a lot of the homes we've looked at. The previous owners took good care of it. Eventually we will be changing a few things like updating the appliances, and changing the bathrooms from ugly tile counters to granite. And maybe a few other minor things to add value to the home. For now things are fine the way they are.

Once the painting is done, then will begin the part I hate, moving everything. At least this time our move is only two miles away, instead of many hours away.

This week we are going to Lake Powell, in Arizona for a family reunion with Dan's family and extended family. We are staying on houseboats. It will be my first time. Should be fun.

So I'll have a bunch of pictures to share once we get back. And hopefully pictures of the inside of our house soon as well.


Bunco craziness about to begin!

There were about 24 people playing that night
In the meantime, here are some pictures that I forgot to post earlier. Back in January we had a couples bunco night, at our friends Scott and Jenny's home. Crazy does not even begin to describe the chaos that was that night. lol It was a blast!






When we play it is never for money. Just a chance to get together and have fun. Prizes, of course, are an added bonus. It was hilarious to see the hubbies getting so into it. They were more hardcore than those of us who are veteran players.

My Cub Scout

Now that Dallin is 8 years old, he has the opportunity to be in Cub Scouts. He is really enjoying himself, and having fun with his friends.



He recently received his Bobcat award, and is now working on getting his Wolf.


Here he is working on a jello creation with Daddy, for the Blue and Gold Dinner.


They decided to go with a Star Wars theme (no surprise there ;D).

Approaching Normal

Blue October's new album, Approaching Normal came out this past Tuesday. I have to say it does not disappoint. The songs were so great, just as I remembered them at the concert. As an added bonus for those of us who choose to buy the Clean version of the album, there is a different song for the last song that is not on the Explicit version. It is called Graceful Dancing, and it is very moving.


It replaces the song, The End, which was the one I posted about having to close my eyes during the concert. Well the verdict is in... although the music is very catchy, I can not ignore the very hardcore lyrics (probably the darkest song Blue October has ever put out, and that is saying a lot lol), so I won't be getting it.

Otherwise all the rest of the songs are super fantastic. I heart all of them. You can buy the album Here, or of course on iTunes. It is nice to see how much their music has grown and evolved.

I think Stephenie Meyer explained it perfectly when she said this about Blue October's music.."There is empathetic power in Blue October's music--the listener doesn't just sympathize with the feeling of the song, the listener has no choice but to feel the song as if the emotion was his/her own." That is exactly how I feel about them.

Speaking of Stephenie, My Never is the song on her Breaking Dawn playlist. Which is on the new album. So that is an added bonus for those of you that are Twilight Saga fans. It is such a pretty and emotional song.

Justin wrote it for his wife, who at the time (before their relationship) he never thought he'd have anything other than a friendship with her, even though he did have feelings for her. The only good quality version of the song I could find, was this acoustic version Justin sang at the Breaking Dawn Concert. Don't mind the Japanese animation. ;)



This next song, is the song that had me in tears at the concert. Justin wrote it about his daughter. It is called Blue Does.




And if I had to pick my most favorite song from the new album, it would have to be Jump Rope. This is the song Justin wrote for his daughter. It is so positive, upbeat, and just cute. It makes me happy to see Justin in such a better place in his life, than he was previously. And this song really shows that.

Here is a video from the concert we were at in Vegas. The sound isn't that great, it is much better in person and on the album. But it was the best I could find. Enjoy!



Here are the lyrics:

Remember how you used to say
You couldn't wait til tomorrow for a brand new day, and
No fuss when you had to ride the bus,
You just add a little blush to paralyze your school crush

Now your older and the weight is on you shoulder
Make the world a little colder
No more hiding in the old day
Be strong
Don't you give up hope
It will get hard
Life's like a jump rope

Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, yeah
Cause it will get hard,
Remember life's like a jump rope
Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, yeah
It will get hard,
Cause it will get hard

There'll be a bump and there will be a bruise
There'll be lumps and there will be a snooze
There'll be a path that you will have to choose
There'll be a win and there will be a lose, and
You gotta hold your head up high, and
Watch all the negativity go by
Don't ever be ashamed to cry
You go ahead
Cause life's like a jump rope

(Chorus)

I want to tell you that everything will be okay
That everything will eventually turn itself to gold
So keep pushing through it all
Don't follow, lead the way
Don't lose yourself, or your hope
Cause life's like a jump rope

(Chorus to jump rope chant with kids)

(Chorus to the end)

Here's Our House

Here is a picture of the outside of our soon to be new home. :)



Everything still seems to be going smoothly.

Blue October Concert

Dan and I had such a fun time in Las Vegas. The concert was awesome! It was very different from Justin's appearance at the Breaking Dawn Concert, that Dan and I went to in August.

Just a heads up for those that haven't had any experience with the band other than at Stephenie Meyer's book signing. Especially if you were planning on taking your kids. Justin isn't the calm and lovable guy that he was at the signing. He's a lot more hardcore and has a potty mouth. Actually watching his on-stage performance had me giggling, because it was so theatrical and in your face (in a good way, I liked it). I do wish he didn't swear like he did though. But he still was a cutie, even with his angsty, tortured act.


What I really enjoyed was the fact that the band sounds almost exactly the same live, as they do in their studio albums. There are some bands that sound great on their albums, but terrible once you hear them in person. Well this was not the case with Blue October. They were fantastic live!

They started the night with the songs from their new album, Approaching Normal. I really liked a lot of them. Four of the songs I had heard prior to the night, because of the Breaking Dawn Concert and other things.

During one of the songs, Justin had videos of his baby daughter playing on the big screen, in back of the band. And he sang the song while watching the screen for most of the time. It was so sweet, and I was very teary eyed during the performance. You can tell he loves his daughter more than anything.

The only song I did not like from their new stuff, was the last song they performed. I can't recall the name of it, and honestly I can't really remember how it went. Maybe I'll end up liking it when I hear it again. The reason I didn't like it was they played a yucky video. I ended up having to close my eyes about half way through. So my experience with that song was very unpleasant. Other than that though, I liked all their new stuff.

After a short intermission the band came back out and played some of their well known stuff. Most of it was from their Foiled album, with one song from their History For Sale album. They sang a ton of my favorites, so I was happy. :D

I wish I had pictures, but they didn't allow cameras.

Thanks Danny for such a wonderful birthday present. Love you!