Songs that make me happy and anchors

We had a Home Teacher growing up that was also a therapist (it seems like our families were always assigned Home Teachers that happened to be shrinks for a living... hmmmm? anyway...). I remember him talking to us about anchors. A song, a smell, a sound, a small thing that happens that brings back a particular memory from your past. Some of songs that I have added personal anchors to me, and the rest just make me happy! A lot of my song anchors take me back to our families kitchen during my teenage years and heart to hearts with my dad, or singing and dancing around the kitchen when it was my turn to clean up after dinner. The Peter Brienholt song reminds me of my first day of college. Hey Mickey reminds me of bathtime when I was probably 3 or 4. The Creedence Clearwater one reminds me of going to my first concert- yes, a CCR Concert with my sister, my dad, and my Uncle Ted and his wife, Diane- sightly pathetic, yes, but it was a lot of fun! And, of course, "The Night at the Roxybury " song (and anything Chris Leduex...)- reminds me of being roomates with Dena- we were quite addicted to that movie.It is amazing how our "anchors" can take us back to a time and place, and we can recall such great memories so vividly. It is one of those joys in life! I hope you all enjoy some of my anchors- it would be great to hear about some of yours, too!

Marleigh and Vincent

Nates brother, Corey, his wife Laura, and their new baby, Vincent, were here visiting for a couple of days. It was so much fun to have them at our house, and the kids were so excited to meet their new cousin Vin. He was born on September 13th, and already looks so big next to Marleigh. He was 10 1/2 lbs at his 2 month checkup- exactly the same as Marleigh weighed at her 2 month checkup- so I'm sure she will catch up quick! It was so fun to see how alike they were in their personalities, but how different they look! Now they are off to California to visit Grandmas and grandpas- we are so jealous!!

A few random pics...

How cute!!

Grandma, Lindsay and the boys at Zoolights

Marleigh and her band of brothers

Yuletide Tag

I found this on Jenny and Josh's blog, how fun!!
When do you start listening to Christmas music?
The day after Halloween, but I am a little bored with it now- a little too much of the annoying ones, not enough of my favorites!
When do you put up your Christmas tree?
The day after Thanksgiving generally. This year I put it up the day before Thanksgiving since Thanksgiving was so late in the month, and it kept my kids busy and entertained for the day!
Favorite Christmas movie?
I think I would have to say "A Christmas Story."
Favorite Christmas song?
"Mary Did You Know"
Favorite Christmas tradition?
One of my favorites is opening a new pair of pjs on Christmas eve. It makes for good Christmas morning pics, I guess!! My mom made them most years. Even though we knew it was coming, it was always fun to see our new jammies. When I was a teenager, I was able to convince my mom to let us open the presents from siblings. I have a hard time convincing my husband of that tradition now, though, when I try to convince him to let our kids open their presents from each other.
Favorite Christmas book?
I really love "Bear Stays up for Christmas"
Fun Christmas memory?
The one that is relived over and over, is the year that I found the Popples. I must have been about 8 or so, because that is the year that Crystal Searle, my best friend, told me the Santa secret. My mom said they were hidden, but I remember innocently happening upon them in my moms room. I went to Austin and Ashleigh and told them we were getting Popples for Christmas. Austin (he would have been 3) ran to my mom and said, "Mom! We're getting Popples for Christmas!!" My mom was SO mad- we went to bed at 7:00 that night, and the Popples were under the tree Christmas Eve with a tag that said from Mom and Dad. I talked my mom into letting us open them, pretending I had forgot about the Popples. (Okay, I guess my manipulation started before I was a teenager...). Okay, maybe not a fun memory, but funny and a family favorite!
If you were one of Santa's reindeer, which one would you be?
I know he's not technically one of his reindeer, but I would have to say Rudolph because I know the most of him, He has his own song and movie!!
I tag anyone who wants to do this.....

Little Girls...

At 4:30 this morning, (yes, A.M.) as I was starting the days laundry, I realized that this baby girl of mine is the only one who has gotten away with being up for an hour and a half at such an unreasonable time. I guess she is setting me up for life with a daughter! But my laundry was done and folded by 11:00 this morning. Maybe I will start enjoying mornings more and have more productive days! She's so stinkin' cute- it makes it all worth it! And someday soon she'll be big, so I savor this time when I am her favorite person, and she wants to cuddle on mommys lap.