2008 In Pictures

Dang a lot happened.



We watched some cats


We bought a house!










Sean's Bday lunch




We saw "Wicked" for our 2nd wedding anniversary




We celebrated Sean and Allie's Engagement










Welcome!


All done!


We said goodbye to our friend in Tower, miss you Pliny!


Goodbye old home


Hello new home!


And new TV mmmmm




My Birthday with family


4th of July


Goodbye old store....


Hello new store!


Housewarming party


Our small group


Liz and Josh got married!


We started attending the Well's Maple Creek campus


The SYTYCD Show


The VORP Fundraiser Dinner


Amy Grant Soundcheck


No words


I went to New Orleans for the Starbucks Leadership Conference...


...and Bono was the guest speaker


Bran celebrated 26 years (sorry I was gone!)...here we are at Janita's going away dinner


Sean and Allie got married!




Thanksgiving in Sanger w/my Grandparents


Thanksgiving @ the Belts....SO GOOD!


First Christmas in new home




Risked my life putting up lights, it was worth it


Beth's annual Gingerbread House-making day


The girls










Iron Chef Dessert Competition


Happy New Year!

My favorite albums of 2008

In no particular order

- David Archuleta: Self-titled

Finally an American male pop record!

- Keane: Perfect Symmetry

Great return for one of my favorite bands. Move in the right direction for them.

- Adele: 19

Unbelievably amazing singer. Please youtube her then download her album.

- Lady Gaga: The Fame

Loved "Just Dance" when it came out in the Summer, wasn't feeling the rest of the album. Now I can't stop listening.

- Jon McLaughlin: OK Now

Great songwriter and another great male pop voice.

- Leona Lewis: Spirit

Might've been on my list last year, but technically her album came out in the US this year.

- Brandy: Human

Out of nowhere for me! Great blend of American pop/r&b, why did I never notice her great vocals before?

- Britney Spears: Circus

The comeback. The albums truly backs that up.

- Alanis Morissette: Flavors of Entanglement

Feel like this album kinda got lost in this year. Too bad cause it's her best since her debut in my opinion.

- McFly: radio:ACTIVE

Finally their stuff's being released in the US! Not as good as their previous efforts, but gotta show them some love.

- Jordan Pruitt: Permission to Fly

Legit Disney teen pop.

- Weezer: The Red Album.

Not their best but it's a grower.

- Jem: Down to Earth

Finally! Just now realizing how good it is.

- The Killers: Day and Age

Hated Sam's Town. Glad they're back to 80's dance vibe.

Laura Pope 1981-2005

3 years ago today my best friend left

Christmas

It's kinda sad, but Christmas will never be like it was as a kid. All the anticipation, the time off of school, time with friends and family, cookies, gifts, decorations....and the MUSIC!

Nothing brings back Christmas memories like the carols and classic Christmas songs. What other holiday or season can boast such emotion and memories-inducing moments like Christmas music?



I was listening to possibly my most favorite Christmas album on the way home from work today, Amy Grant's "Home for Christmas". I was 9 when this came out, just old enough to remember but still young and innocent. Listening to this today brought back foggy trips to Fresno from Sanger. Decorating the tree and sugar cookies. SO many goofy memories of me, my brother and cousins. Amy just does it! I hope I have some readers who will agree with me on this one..."Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)", "Grown Up Christmas List" are modern day classics to me now.

Check out the video....and Merry Christmas. End of year music roundup coming before the start of 2009.

Adele

Killing "Cold Shoulder" Acoustic

I know it's been a while....

....but I can't NOT post this. I'm obsessed with this song. The video just came out. Go and love it yourself now.

Broken Strings

Today

Or tonight rather! Jem's way overdue new album "Down to Earth" and Marc Broussard's first all-original song album since his debut, "Keep Coming Back" are out! I stopped buying physical CD's about a year ago and it's the best decision i've ever made (well...one of the best) so I'm posting the links to the iTunes store so you can just head on over and check them out!

Click the pics

Looking forward/Disappointments

Looking forward to:

Shows: SYTYCD, Amy Grant
Fall Weddings (Sean/Allie, Liz/Josh)
Church growth opportunities/involvement
Seeing "The Dark Knight" again
Fall Music Releases: Marc Broussard, Jem, Keane, Kelly Clarkson
Continuing my reading streak
Fall TV returning
Keeping our plants alive

Disappointments:

The Olympics depriving me of sleep
Harry Potter pushed back to July of '09
Summer TV shows over
Movies in general (why can't I watch them anymore?!)

so you think you can dance!

i am not ashamed to say that this has to be one of my favorite shows ever. pure entertainment, emotion...it's all about the people and the DANCING!

huge congratulations to joshua!! katee was my favorite but joshua definitely deserves it as well.

countdown to the tour in october!

youtube "so you think you can dance season 4" and see what i'm talking about

Why so seriously awesome?!

We saw "The Dark Knight" midnight premiere at IMAX last night (this morning?) and it was very very awesome.

The movie just blew my mind on so many levels. The acting, the cinematography, the HUGE screen we watched it on, the STORY! Christopher Nolan is a freaking genius, if the only movies I ever see in my life are made by him I'll be happy.

Please please go see this movie it is money well spent, and I'm planning on spending even more on this film.