HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to...

The one who makes me laugh, The one who makes me run,
And the one who stole my heart!

Happy 30th Birthday, Joe! I love you!!! (Even if you are getting old.....)

Album Review: Harry Connick Jr. Your Songs

When the One2One Network gave me the chance to review Harry Connick Jr.'s new album, Your Songs, I jumped at the chance! I grew up listening to the music of this amazing singer, actor, composer, husband, and father. Your Songs was definitely different than his previous works, but I actually enjoyed it.

On his new album, Harry performs classic songs by some of the greats, along with a full jazz big band and string orchestra! I loved that I already knew most of the songs on the album. I wouldn't say they're my FAVORITE songs of all time, but if I happen to be listening to FM 100 (which is pretty much...never...except maybe on Sundays) and they come on, I'll most likely sing along.

Here's the Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

I probably wouldn't have bought the album if I hadn't received it for free, but it makes good background music. Definitely not workout worthy, and probably not good driving music (unless I'm in the passenger seat and ready for a good nap), but I can see myself turning it on quietly as background music at a dinner party.

For more info. on Harry's new album, check this out. Or find him on facebook.

Album Review: Joshua Bell at home with friends

When the One2One Network asked me to review Joshua Bell's new album, At Home With Friends, I hesitantly said yes. I love beautiful music, and yes...there's even a time and place for beautiful classical music. And maybe in the chaos of motherhood, I could use more. My children could definitely use more. When I got the CD in the mail, Parker was thrilled. He dragged his boom box into the kitchen, and I decided there was no time like the present to get a taste for the music of this very accomplished violinist. While the CD wouldn't normally be their first choice, the kids actually loved it. They stomped and pranced around the house to the soothing tunes.

The playlist looks like this:

I Loves You Porgy featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I’ll Take Manhattan featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand featuring Regina Spektor, vocals

Impressive list of friends and musicians, no? And actually, it wasn't as classical as I thought. There was a great mix of genres and styles. So...while I probably wouldn't personally go out and buy this album tomorrow, if you love any of the featured artists, or love the violin, it's a good one.

Here's his website. Or become a fan on facebook.

Month In Review

If I had updated my blog last month, I would've told you that Avery is the cutest, sweetest, funniest 20-month old I know. I would tell you that I can't get enough of her kisses, her songs, her dances, and her sassy personality. I LOVE this girl.

I also would've mentioned that she and Parker are still partners in crime. Don't leave your kids on the bathroom counter unless you want to clean up a soapy-all-over-the-bathroom mess when you wonder why they're being so quiet!

If I had blogged last month, I definitely would've mentioned the Utah State Fair. The Burnzies invited us to go, and we had a blast (minus Avery's fat lip from a stroller-pushing face plant, and my wasted money trying to climb the impossible ladder!)

I also would've mentioned the beauty of going to the park in the fall!

I probably would've talked all about our fun trip to Lagoon's Frightmares! It was the funnest family day this year. I thought we would last at the park for maybe a few hours. We stayed for nine! Parker liked the rides much more than last year. And Avery loved them right along with him!If I'd blogged in the last month, I definitely would've told you about the Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas. I got to run, eat, and drive 178 sleepless miles with some of my favorite people in the world (minus my 2 favorite munchkins...now that made for a good weekend!) My heart still aches, however, by the death of fellow runner, Jeremy Kunz . I would've had (and still may have) LOTS more to say about that!But since I haven't blogged for over a month, I guess this will have to do! Until next time...