DOSE OF CULTURE FOR THE DAY

Here are a few artists that intrigue me at the moment. Hope you enjoy them too. Click on their names to go to their websites and see more of their work.

Julia Brodskaya- I love her paper-based illustrations! Amazing!

Eduoard Martinet- he uses old scrap metal to create fabulous sculptures. Very fun, my kids love him too.

Cecil Touchon- a painter/collage-maker. We are using his work as a basis for some design assignments this semester and I love the simplicity of his style.

Andy Goldsworthy- I've blogged about him before, but his work is so fascinating to me, I had to bring him up again. Earthworks rock! (Couldn't find his website, but this one shows quite a bit about him and his work.)

CONCERTS

My oldest daughter, a senior in high school, just went to her first big concert last night. I am trying to find out if I am too strict as a parent to have made her wait so long. I was in 10th grade before I went to one and that was with my family, so I am kind of worried about letting her go, especially to the bands she likes. Just wondering what everyone else does or is planning to do with their kids, so leave some feedback please!

My first concert was the Jackson's Victory Tour. It was in Denver in 1984 and my dad bought all my brothers and sisters tickets and my mom drove us over. It was an amazing show and when Michael Jackson was still cool and not so bizarre you couldn't even look at him. I can even remember what I wore (denim jacket with flourescent earrings and belt- so 80's hip).

I didn't go to another concert until I was 17. Depeche Mode Black Celebration '86 was an amazing concert too and after that I went to as many as I could. Ah, memories. I guess I shouldn't make my kids miss out on them too. The tug-of-war that is being a parent, will it ever end??

AHH, FALL...

I love fall and I think I have blogged about it before, but here it is again and I just can't not talk about it. There is just something refreshing about it. After a long, hot summer what could be better than cold, crisp mornings, orange, yellow, and red leaves all around, and the smell of burning leaves (yes, I like it).

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite parts of fall:

1. SWEATER WEATER! I love sweaters and fall is the perfect weather for them. So snuggily! (my computer is saying that 'snuggily' is not a word- but I beg to differ).
2. CHANGING LEAVES: I live in a wonderful area for leaf viewing. Right now I can look up at our mountains and see every warm color of foliage you can image (and more).
3. PUMPKINS: I love pumpkins- they are so cheerful and festive. So many opportunities to decorate, so little time.
4. HOT CIDER: I am a lover of warm drinks in the cool weather (and when I'm sick. There is something about Peppermint tea that is a cure-all for me). But in the fall I have a thing for cider. So Delish! Here's a great recipe if you need one.
5. BOOKS: What is better than sitting cosily by a fire, reading a great book (maybe even a spooky one). I don't have an indoor fireplace, but the one on our porch works great!
6. FLUFFY, CHUNKY THROWS: My sister just gave me a throw to die for. It is almost exactly like these in the photo with browns and greens. I am very possessive of it and don't let my kids touch it.

Well, there you have it- Kim's Fall Top 6. If you love fall too- blog your favorite parts. I'd love to see them.

HOMECOMING PART 2

Here is my daughter with her date and new dress. Very fun! I could do without the black skinny jeans, but she thought they were fine, so what do I know? She had a good time and that's what counts right?

THE SMELL OF PIGSKIN IS IN THE AIR OR MEMORIES OF HOMECOMINGS PAST

That was a reference to football, by the way, and also to High School Homecoming. I am off today to seek out a dress for my senior daughter to wear to the dance. Ah, the wonderful, stress-free days of high school, when all you had to worry about was 'who will ask me to the dance and what will I wear.' I really don't mean to make those teenaged problems sound trivial, I know they deal with a lot more issues than that. But I just have to say how happy I am to be out of that shallow phase of life and that I have moved on to worry about more weighty items like: how am I going to get our kids to the celestial kingdom?

But, I digress...

Here is a retro photo of me at that self-absorbed time of life know as the senior year. My senior year was not as 'normal' as some. My father was killed in a plane crash about a week before this photo was taken. My good buddy at the time (who had already graduated) took pity on me and asked me to the Homecoming dance. My mom made my dress (I LOVED it for years) and now that I think about it, I cannot believe she was sewing at that horrible time in her life, but that is the wonderful kind of mother she was.

Anyway, laugh all you want at the 80's stuff, but I just want you to know that I was one hot babe!!

I AM A SOCCER FAN

I really do like soccer- both to watch and to play. I always have. It is the only team sport I really get excited about. So I am really thrilled that at least one of my children likes to play. It's my 3rd grader and he is very good at it too. Last night his team played really well and so did my son. He scored a goal and was very happy about that (we have an understanding that if you score a goal you get an ice cream cone)! I was impressed because the league age group goes from 3rd grade to 6th.

Shoot it, number 47!!

CHANGE IS GOOD

I was recently released as the Primary President in my ward and sustained as the food chairman for the Relief Society today. Change is good in my opinion. I have always liked it and this is no different. I was ready for something new and this will be a great one! I went to Sunday School and Relief Society for the first time in 6 years today. Very different, but wonderful! I have always loved going to classes and NOT being in charge. -Sigh- (of relief)...

pun intended ; )

HAPPY 9TH TO MY 4TH

Yesterday was my youngest son's birthday. We were driving home from our Labor Day trip and so he didn't get much of a celebration- except for choosing where we went to lunch. So today we gave him his gifts from us and then tomorrow the in-town family is going to come over for some cake and ice cream. Stretching out a birthday to cover 3 days isn't really a bad thing, is it? It hasn't bothered him so far...

Here are 10 of my favorite things about him:

1. He is a very happy, smiley boy (see photo).
2. He is the biggest outdoor kid I have. He lives and loves to be outside!
3. He is a fabulous soccer player!
4. He is so kind and cute with his little sister (most of the time).
5. He has a funny sense of humor and loves to laugh and have a good time.
6. He is very easy-going, which is such a blessing in a big family!
7. He is a good helper to Mom and Dad.
8. He does so well in school- a very smart kid!
9. He is a good friend.
10. He is a great bike rider! He can catch some major air!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUD! I LOVE YOU TONS!

LABOR DAY TRADITION

For the last 3 years we have gone to Glenwood Springs, CO to run rivers, hike and bike. It has been a very fun time every year- that's probably why we keep going. Here are some highlights from this year.

Here is my oldest practicing her river guiding skills for next summer. She is amazing!

My two older sons ready to run the Shoshone section of the Colorado.

My sweetheart at the kayaking play park. He is getting so good. Here he is doing a 'loop.'

My tough girls.

My cute family getting ready to hike to hanging lake.

Resting on the way up. My littlest was thrilled to be there. Can you tell?

Such an amazing place!

My oldest son loved the skatepark. We have nothing this cool in our town.

TIM HAWKINS- THE GOVERNMENT CAN

This is too true. You have to laugh so that you don't cry.