just bootlegging

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYO00Tpm8To

A bootlegging angel posted this on youtube...I don't know who you are but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I couldn't have asked for anything more. 

That's right.  Aaron and I were two lucky lovebirds who were able to spend Halloween Night 2012 with Glen Hansard and Eddie Vedder.  

If you click on the above link: "Yes, it really sounded that good." I repeatedly turned to Aaron to tell him, "It sounds SO good. I've never been to a concert that sounded so good." Therefore, thanks needs to go out to The Pearl venue.  I can honestly say that I enjoyed Glen's set as much as Ed's.  My favorite song of the night was the duet of "Falling Slowly" and I was wishing I could get a copy of it.  Now, I know where to go to listen. Thank you, Bootlegging Angel.

And a little of Glen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRSFfeVp3g4

I met a wonderful couple, Tania (yes, I know and the similarities do not end there) and David from Manchester.  In true style, friendships were forged through our mutual love of music and humanity.

I witnessed 3 different occasions where fans with extra floor seats came up to the nosebleed sections and gave them their extra tickets FOR FREE!!!! Yes, people.  This REALLY happened.  Another reason why I LOVE pj....these ARE the sort of people you meet at pj & Ed concerts.  It's truly like heaven for me. 

http://ilovelasvegasmagazine.blogspot.com/2012/11/eddie-vedder-performs-at-pearl-in-las.html

I enjoyed this article, because I wanted to go the 11.1.12 concert, too.  But unfortunately, my frontal lobe is fully developed...and Phoenix's Reflections Award Ceremony was that night.

I'm sitting here, writing this and listening to Ed sing "just breathe." 

Heaven.

So for all of my friends out there, who want to know what it's like to sit through the most intimate concert I've ever experienced  XOXOXO

it's been a LONG time...

I haven't been so good at this, and I was bad at it before!  But, with India's entrance in the world, many other things in my life have taken an exit.  Social media being one of them.  However, I had to put this up!  And I will follow this up later when I find the right photo.  So here's for my 8 followers...if you are still there!

Phoenix won 1st place in the Visual Arts Category at Dixie Sun Elementary.  His charcoal drawing is titled, "Magical World India Walks Through" because she took her first steps (or so he thought) to him!  He was so proud of her!

just a week ago

...we spent our first night at home with our new baby, India Isabella Oliver, and only her.  It was amazing to have the house quiet and our newborn safe, warm, and healthy.  After the scare that was her birth, it was so great to be home with her here, too.

Just home from the hospital ~ 11.12.11

The last week has been heavenly.  She is an angel.  She hardly ever cries.  She eats, uses the restroom, and sleeps.  That's about it.  When she is awake, she just lays there and looks around.  


I am just so happy.  

just 5 am

Yes, it really is 5 am.  


No, I am not a morning person.  


I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.  Am I being prepared for the middle of the night feedings/changings?  Probably.  Perhaps, I will be grateful in a month...


I've tried EVERYTHING to get to sleep for the last 2 hours.  Yes, even yoga.  I feel better stretched, but not any sleepier than I was 2 hours ago.  Therefore, while the house is dark and the kids in bed, I will post the most recent event in my life: 

My New Baby's "Welcome to the World" Party

37 weeks - officially full-term 10.18.11

I feel so blessed to have friends who wanted to throw a shower for someone who's on their fourth baby.  Honestly, for me each one of my pregnancies has not been like the other, each has felt like the first time. (Mostly due to a lapse in memory, I'm sure.)  In addition, the reality of this new life being in my arms while it's still in my womb has felt - surreal.  It's these parties that make it more of a reality.  Life has gotten busy for us all, and the years melt away.  I was able to see friends & family last night that I don't get to see very often and for that I am so grateful.
  

Thank you to all who came & all who wanted to come!  

Now, when is she going to come?

just a ringing in our left ears

Here we are happy as clams basking in the sun on an Oregon beach...errr, I mean happy as clams can be watching the Foo Fighters play live in Salt Lake City!  It was glorious to be a clam last night.

Foo played for 2.5 hours (22 songs, if I counted right) and hit all the right notes.  It was melodic and raging, acoustic and ear-drum damaging.  (Literally!  Our left ears especially have a lovely, continuous ringing still.  Does it sound crazy to say it was worth it?  If you're a fan, you'll say, "Of course!")  The following highlights were particularly memorable: walking up the stairs into the venue right as they played the first notes to the opening song, "Bridge Burning"; listening to Dave describe his experience writing his most favorite song, "These Days," then hearing the band play it afterward; listening to an amazing Pink Floyd cover from The Wall; hoping for a few acoustic songs and getting more than we bargained for--Dave sang "Long Road To Ruin, Best of You, and Times Like These" from an elevated platform, which transitioned into and culminated with the entire band completing the finality of "Times Like These"; witnessing the on-screen, backstage banter between Dave and Taylor, who argued over how many songs to play during the encore (they ended the show with six!).  The best Foo Fighters concert I've seen to date (this is Aaron writing, not Tana) ended with "Everlong" and an invitation to come back, following the completion of the next album.  I hope our babysitters put this on their calendars, and we hope the opportunity presents itself.  All grandparents and Aunt Lacey would dive at the chance to have another overnight romp with our four tikes, right?

just reflections part II

Phoenix had entered the reflections contest last year and did VERY well.  This year we prepared him to be happy for just participating and to be happy for whomever won. (Due to the fact that he entered into the Visual Arts category, which is usually the most popular category.) 

To our surprise...

...his project was 1st place!  

just seven

Hard to believe, but true.  Phoenix is seven!

Sparkler candles do not blow out, they go out.  Luckily, kids don't usually realize this, at least this kid did not!

The next day, celebrating with friends.