Summer 2009...

I've been a little behind on updating my blog. I have been doing my Flashback Friday, but other than that...I have been busy.

I cannot believe that summer is over. It has flown - for that matter - 2009 has flown as well. So, here is a recap of the summer of 09...

• Fun beach trip in June (I actually did post about that trip) - you can see it here.
• In July I went to see NKOTB with my friend Karen - see it here
• Fun 4th of July at my cousin's house - see it here
• Cruise in July with the fam - see it here and here
• Went to the beach in August - had a great time. Brandon and Ella swam like fish the entire time.
• I read 5 books this summer. I read the Twilight series - I was curious as to what the hype was about. It took me months to read the first one (probably because I saw the movie first), but once I finally finished it, I read the other three very quickly. I enjoyed reading them - but am still not sure what all the obsession is about. I will go and see the movies though.
• I also read The Time Travelers Wife. I had decided that I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. The book is a hard read and you have to really concentrate to follow it. Its an ok book - so unrealistic. Movie review coming up...
• Brandon started school this year. I cannot believe he is in kindergarten. He is doing well and has been enjoying it. He is such a kid now and not a little boy anymore.

I will have more posts coming soon with some movie reviews and a few other things...

Hope you had a great summer!!!

NKOTB Take 2

I took a last minute road trip to see NKOTB in Memphis with my friend, Karen, and three of her friends. We had a great time and it was so fun getting to meet some new friends. NKOTB put on a great show - its always fun reliving the old memories. And of course there were some interesting people there...photos are below...

The group, Karen, Melanie, Mandy, Lindsay and me

Jesse McCartney opened for them

these women were dancing their hearts out...

the Full Service Tour

these guys looked like they enjoyed themselves :)

me and Karen

Jordan

Jon

Joey

he displayed his Elvis shirt for the crowd

Jabbawoke (I can't spell it) opened for them and danced during the show

At one point they came out into the crowd - we were very close to Donnie and Danny

What I'm Listening To...

I have been doing some traveling lately with work - so my Ipod has been busy. Here's a sampling of what I've been listening to...

Danyew - I was introduced to one of his songs at my friend Phil Earnest's wedding. His wife, Colleen walked down the aisle to "Beautiful King". I have since downloaded the entire EP -its really good!

Mat Kearney - Loved, loved his songs, "Nothing Left to Lose" and "Crashing Down".  I have downloaded songs from his newest - so far, so good!!

The Fray - My friend, Stephanie, turned me on to their first CD and it is still one of my faves.  Their new one is great too - love them!!

Kristian Stanfill - He was one of our worship leaders at the conference this year - not only does he (and his band) have an incredible CD, they have incredible hearts to go along with that!

So, what do I need to download to my Itunes that you recommend??

Attention!!

Go buy this - you won't be disappointed! Kristian Stanfill led worship at both of our student conferences this year and did a phenomenal job! Love not only their music - but their hearts! Great CD, Great Guys, Great Purchase!

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=301972547&s=143441

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

Oh Holy Night

Where Are You Christmas?

From the movie - Grinch

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I wish I could sing like her...

Step Into Christmas

You have to turn this one up in your car!

All I Want For Christmas...

Gotta turn the radio up on this one!

Christmas Music!

I love, love, love Christmas music. I have been listening to it since Halloween. It makes me happy!! Its all I listen to this time of the year. I love hymns, modern and old traditional faves. So, allow me to share a list of my faves...

1. I Need a Silent Night - new one from Amy Grant
2. the entire Joy cd - Avalon
3. O Holy Night - Celine Dion
4. Step Into Christmas - Elton John
5. Where Are You Christmas - Faith Hill
6. Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis
7. Believe - Josh Groban
8. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
9. the Home for Christmas cd - NSync
10. We Need a Little Christmas - Percy Faith
11. Home for the Holidays - Perry Como
12. the entire A Christmas Story cd - Point of Grace
13. Sleigh Ride - Relient K
14. Christmastime is Here - Peanuts
15. Do You Hear What I Hear - Whitney Houston
16. Miracle on 34th Street Soundtrack
17. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
18. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
20. Holly,Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
21. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
22. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
23. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Johnny Mathis
24. Transiberian Orchestra
25. Frosty the Snowman - Jimmy Durante

These are some of the ones I love...there are a lot more than 25. What are some of your Christmas faves?

Merry Christmas!

Hanging Tough!!

Here is a little video that I took...I have a few more - I will post them in the days to come!

NKOTB Part Deux

I have more photos to post from one of the girls I went to the concert with. She had a way nicer camera than mine - so she has some closer shots. You know you wanna see more... :)

some of the girls I went with...

Kristen, Meagan, Casondra and Jamie

Hanging Tough with the New Kids!

Well I finally got to go to the New Kids on the Block concert! It seemed like I bought my tickets forever ago! But, I am happy to report the wait was well worth it! Allow me to give you a brief rundown...

• For grown men who have been out of commission for 15 years - let me just say you could not tell it. They put on a great show! They still danced their hearts out and had women screaming at the top of their lungs!
  
• There were less than 200 men there. IF they were there it was because they brought their women. And Donnie informed them that they deserve a reward (if you know what I mean) from their woman for coming with them.
  
• I think I saw one person who was under the age of 18 there. And she was there with her mom. I am talking mini-van central and those mini-vans had writing on them - oh yes - "I'll be loving you forever Jordan"...very funny!
  
• I saw a lot of old school shirts and buttons. Some women came with their hair teased with hot pink leggings on - it was a fun crowd.


• They made a fortune last night! They made $70 off me (yes I know, but it was well worth it!). Their shirts were between $35-45 for a t-shirt - omg - I did not purchase one. I don't love them that much.


• They do still lip sync some songs. Because you cannot dance that much and still sound good. And one of the worst parts of the night for me was a time filler - Danny was trying to see what audience member could dance the best and Jon had the camera filming people - it was stupid.


• They had female dancers with them. Very stupid and not needed. No one paid any attention to the girls and they didn't bring a thing to the show. Women came there to see them not the girls shaking their booty.
  
• I think they had about 7 costume changes. We saw everything from ghetto NKOTB to Velvet suits to all white.
  
• They did all of their oldies (except "This One's for the Children" and the classic Christmas song, "Have a Funky Funky Christmas") -- I think they did all of the others. They also through in some of their new songs. I didn't like all of them, but I do plan on purchasing some of their new stuff - not bad.
• Women screamed their lungs out (I'll admit it - I did a little too). We did the ole hand swing of "Hangin Tough" too. It was so fun!
  
• Jordan - still hot and still has those abs. You will notice a photo below of him in his white shirt with a fan blowing on him - just like he did when I was in 9th grade! Nice!
  
  
• Donnie - still the bad boy everyone loves. He had women drooling all over him.
  
• Danny - still break dancing - although not as fast as 15 years ago.
  
• Jon - still the awkward, shy one who cannot dance.
  
• Joe - still my favorite. He is one of the best singers in the group and wore his signature smiley face jacket from back in the day. Alas, I did have to leave without him again. After all, I was supposed to be Mrs. Joey McIntyre - I guess he just hasn't realized it yet. One day, Joey, one day!
  
• This was my third NKOTB concert and it about just as fun as the others. I remember my last one I was a little over the top in love - I didn't act that bad this time - I tried to control my emotions this time. The other difference from my last concert (which was 17 years ago) was wow - it hurts to stand up for almost 2 hours without sitting down. My back was aching - it didn't ache when I was 14! And hey - getting in at 3 AM and going to work the next day - didn't have to do that back in the day.
  
  It was such a fun, fun night! I am excited I got to go! I will always think they NKOTB has "the right stuff", that I'm their "favorite girl" and that they'll "be loving me forever"!
  
  
  me and Jamie on the way to the concert
  

there they are! we had great seats!!

ghetto NKOTB
Jamie and Kristen dancing it up

Joey

Jordan

Donnie

Hanging Tough!!

NKOTB

I heard a few months ago about New Kids on the Block reuniting - I must admit - I did get a little excited. New Kids came around when I was in 7th grade - prime time for a boy band to reach those little girls. I loved, loved them. My room was full on posters, dolls, and every Bop and Big Bopper magazine that was published during that time. I watched every show they were on - I taped them and kept them and I became very upset when my mom accidentally erased one of them. I also went to two concerts. Loved them is an understatement. I had a framed photo of Joe McIntyre on my stereo speaker in my room - an 8x10 as if he was my boyfriend! Oh to be 13 again. I did get up to watch the Today Show on Friday for their reunion concert. I was a little giddy and Tracy did make fun of me. But, as I saw, I was not the only giddy 30 something - NYC was full of them. I was a little shocked that the women knew the words to their new song. It was good to see them back together and to hear the songs of my tween years. And I am sure I will know the words to their new song soon since I downloaded it on I-Tunes. HA! Once a "blockhead" always a "blockhead".

the 90's

now