Amusing an old mom

So, in the car we were listening to an oldie but a goodie from the 80's "Opportunities" from the Pet Shop Boys. Nathan asked why there wasn't anything good on the radio. I said all of the ones I flipped through were good. He then said "These guys don't even sing good." I laughed out loud for a while, and am still giggling inside. I am not sure how to convey the extreme humor in what was said. If you have ever listened to some of my older boys "music", I believe you might glimpse into my mind. Linkin Park, while it has some pretty good songs, pepper most of them with Yelling, rap (even tho this is against the house rules) and anger. Other songs, not coming to mind have a gravelly grunge sound/tenor to them. Look, I am not saying he can't enjoy them, I am not even saying I hate all of it, but the "good quality" of the singing in their selection isn't why they like their music choices. I like being amused by this. I was going to put in a song the boys like, but I don't want to make their grandmother cry. Some of them are intensely angry and unpleasant, but I didn't say it. . .

I've been reading a few books this (now last) summer, and over the vacation, I was able to finish two, that I felt correlated, leaving me feel very disturbed and disquieted. One of the books was 1984 by George Orwell. I actually have wanted to read this for quite a while because of how "Big Brother" is referred to so often with our media and some movies. I felt that once I personally read the whole idea, the reference would mean more to me, and I could be more specifically critical in op ed pieces and news articles I might come across. When I finished the book, I struggled to be able to sleep. Putting my finger on what exactly I was most disturbed about still has had my mind turning in non ending circles. The second book, The Giver, was recommended by my son who loved the book assigned to him in Jr. High. We read it aloud, because he liked it so well, he wanted to read it again. With every page, I kept asking him when it would get good. Honestly, I have heard this to be a great book by many others. It is recommended reading on many lists. And it was poetic. The correllation that really bothered me was the "Utopia" that both books set up. I think that not enough people read these books.

Family Vacation

We had the most wonderful family vacation! Usually, we visit family, which we all love, but we decided to use the short time we had to go somewhere cool at night (Troy's requirement). So our dear friend referred us to her friend who has a cabin in Fish Lake in Utah. On our way over, we stopped in Vail
Then we went to Arches National Park, which is Aunt Mindy's favorite park. The arches will not always be there, so we tried to see them specifically.






Then we went to Goblin Valley! I went there when I was younger with my Nelson cousins and, although the details aren't sharp, I remember having a fabulous time and have wanted to go back ever since. And, Goblin valley is a set for a part of Galaxy Quest, my medicine to bring laughter. That was also impressive for my kids.



I need to find a way to do the movie thing for all our pictures. . .
We then headed to Fish Lake to this fabulous, comfortable cabin!






We did many hikes,




We drove a boat








jumping in freezing cold water


Nathan, Emma and Daniel went fishing with their dad


Nathan caught 2 Emma caught 3 and Daniel caught 4 and the largest, which we ate for lunch!
We cooked smores and Luc threw rocks in the lake

what we are learning at my house

I have more interesting, or at least I think so going on, but I just have to mention this. . .
Taylor is 15. He is a gross (and I love him anyway) boy. He still thinks toots and burps are statements worth often communicating. So a couple of days ago in the car, he lets out a great big burp. I turned back and said "Taylor!!!" (implying yet again that he should excuse himself or try to keep it to himself. It is not a medical condition yet.) Luke thought this was great fun, so he made a sound like a belch and then said "Lucas!"

2 yr old what is what

Two year old, Luke just brought in the ziplock of zucchini bread muffins and asked for one " uh aunt one!". As I started to open the bag, he was handing me the last half of the one he had been eating on earlier this afternoon. I said, "Oh, you need to finish this one first". He pushed it away and said "ew gross!" Maybe that isn't funny to anyone else, but I am still laughing inside and out.