MacJam Session 2

After a successful inaugural run of MacJam, we've decided to keep rolling with it. Session 2 was too much fun! We had a ton more people and a few different acts on the roster. We have to thank the Mackay's for letting us invade their home and feeding us! Not to mention sharing their talented friends and family with us.

Terann and Meliah were our opening act with Once Upon a December. Too cute!

Shane led off the big boys. He did a few covers of Bon Jovi, Plain White T's, Sheryl Crow, Counting Crows and Matt Kearny.

Eli did some originals (I Want to Fly, High School) and then did a couple of covers. He covered Train (Soul Sister), Jason Mraz (Geek in the Pink) and then did a Rascal Flatts tune with my Pop.

This is where we had intermission and ate Heather's 12 (which became 11) layer chocolate cake. Delicious!

Devin opened the second set. He did a couple of originals and the covered Weezer and Corey Hart (I Wear my Sunglasses at Night, hence the wig and shades.)

This is our new pal Daniel Thuet. He's quite the talented young man. Who knew that a song about cinnamon rolls could be so sensual? We'll let you know when he and Eli hit up open mic night at Velour. You can hear some of his stuff on his MySpace music page.

This is Dan with Karlie. They did pretty for throwing together a duet before the show.

And this is Karlie Mckinnon. Think Regina Spektor meets Ingrid Michaelson meets Norah Jones. Great pianist, great lyricist, and an OUTSTANDING voice! If you're going to be near Farmington on July 10th, she'll be opening for Colors there. Stop by. We might be there. She's got music on her Myspace page too.

This is one of the better pictures of our audience. My mom and Miranda (although MJ was with the boys most of the night. Teenagers.)

And I'm going to leave you with a special treat. It's kind of dark, but you'll get the picture. This is Eli singing the song he wrote for his parents- I Want to Fly. It was written for their 30th anniversary and actually won him a spot in the top 10 new LDS artist. He got to do a three state tour and everything. I'll warn you, he's kind of a showoff. But that's why I love him.

Thanks again Heather and Shane! We're looking forward to the end of June. Bigger and better!

Stars on Ice

I don't know how I get to be so lucky! I was driving home from work one day while listening to the radio. I was just in time to hear the song scramble to win something or other. I listened, for the heck of it, and realized that I knew the song - Mo' Money, Mo' Problems (Notorious BIG). Sweet. Then the announcer repeated their phone number, which they never do and I decided to give it a try. The phone rang a couple of times and I was in. That was the easiest thing in the world! I then found out I won tickets to see Stars on Ice. I called up the little sister (because I knew Eli wouldn't want to go) and invited her along.
The day before the performance I got a phone call from some guy named Jake with the radio station. He told me that I was a lucky winner again and me and Miranda were put on the list for a meet and greet before the show. Sweet! We got to meet Todd Eldredge and Jeremy Abbott, both talented and super nice guys!
The seats were pretty good, but unfortunately, my camera sucks, so I can't show you my pictures. We got to see Sasha Cohen (not the star of Borat), Davis & White (couple), Belbin & Agosto (couple), Michael Weiss (the back flip is awesome live!), Yuka Sato, Shen & Zhao, Alissa Cziny, and Ashley Wagner. And of course the two we met before the show.

I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy it (I barely watched the Olympics this year), but surprisingly I was SUPER impressed. Ice skating takes a ton of strength and talent. I can barely push myself across the ice. There's not way I could even imagine doing flips and splits and lifting people by one leg. Amazing! If you ever get a chance to go, you should... at least once in your lifetime.

Bruja - 7 months

Bruja was born On October 31, 2009. She is now 7 months old and has changed a little bit. I'll show you what I mean. I found these pictures on my camera card.

One day

2 weeks

3 Weeks

4 weeks

7 Months

I know you probably don't care, but I care. She's HUGE! She's outgrown both her mom and dad (who are 9 lbs and 6 lbs respectively). She's a whopping 13 lbs. She is just getting used to cuddling, but loves kisses and is a pretty smart dog. Lima (her mom) was the Alpha, but Bruja took over that job. We considered giving her away (since we weren't planning on keeping her and her brother and sister found homes), but now I couldn't imagine my home without her. Loves!

Time

Wow. During the school year I knew I was busy, but I didn't realize how busy until I finally unloaded my camera card. Be prepared. I've got a little more time on my hands right now.

Ice

Some things that I've learned that I love about ice skating rinks:

I love the way the ice looks just after it has been smoothed over by the zamboni, especially when it's still wet and the lights reflect off the water.

I love the sound the blades on skates make when they hit the ice.

I love the spray of ice that rooster tails from the blades when there's a sudden stop or quick movement on the ice.

I love the way flecks of ice stick to costumes or uniforms after a quick slide or tumble across the ice.

I love the amazing talent and skill it takes to skate from one end of the rink to the other. Not to mention how awesome it is to see some people flip and spin and send pucks flying across the ice and make it look so simple and graceful.

I LOVE winning tickets!

Festival of Colors

Now that school is coming to an end, I have a little more time to post some of these pictures that I've had stored in my camera for a little while. These are some of my favorites from The Festival of Colors.

In Spanish Fork there is a huge temple known as The Lotus Temple. Every year the Krishnas celebrate spring with the Holi Festival. There's lots of music, lots of food, and most of all LOTS of color! At certain times during the festival a big crowd gathers and everyone who has colored powder throws it into the air to celebrate all the brightness and alive things of spring.

They also have a huge bonfire where they burn the likeness of the demon Holika. It's a really interesting story with a hero and everything that can be read at UtahKrishnas.org.

To say the least, it was a fun experience. It was messy, loud, and there were tons of friendly people. I kind of imagine Woodstock being similar, but maybe not. Eli and I took Miranda and her friend. It's fun to be able to participate in and learn about other peoples cultures. If you ever get the chance to go, you should go at least once.

"It's been hardly a moment; you are already missed"

Eli is gone. He went to Colorado on his Annual Brothers Trip. He'll be gone until Sunday. I am excited for him to be with them so they can do all of their manly, brotherly bonding stuff, but I want him back. I'm not going to lie. I'm selfish. He's been gone for less than 24 hours and I'm already going through withdrawls. I had a terrible time sleeping last night. I had to take Melatonin to knock myself out.

I usually wake up in the morning, hating the alarm clock and slightly miffed because Eli's clock is set to go off a whole 45 minutes after mine. This morning I woke up saddened because I had zero cuddle time AND I had to go let the dogs out before I got in the shower. Eli usually does that while I'm shampooing. Thanks for that E.

Because of the dogs, I was running a little behind which led me to think about breakfast while I was blow drying my hair. I had no idea what I was going to do. E usually makes us our fresh fruit smoothies AND makes my lunch for the day. Well, I didn't get my smoothie (I just took a whole box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch with me in the car), but I did get my homemade lunch because my AMAZING husband made me lunch yesterday for today and tomorrow. Who does that?

And to top off that he left me a gift. I get a massage! Woo-hoo! Especially right now with the end of the year coming up so quick, my stress level is off the charts. He felt that I should do something nice for myself because I was so nice to let him go. Too sweet!

So, in case you couldn't tell, my husband spoils me. He does so much for me and does it without asking for anything in return. I'm feeling like I have the "me-me-me" syndrome, but I can't help it when my best friend makes me feel like the center of the universe. I want him back. But he needs sometime off too. I hope he has fun! 3 1/2 days left...