Another Day, Another Movie

****"Sweeney Todd" Okay, I'm sure there are people who have either read this or at least heard about it and are fans, but I didn't know anything about it and boy was I surprised! I think your either a Tim Burton fan or your not and, well, I think I'm not. I tried to like it, but...... I just didn't. I don't dare say anything about it because it would totally give it away, but it was dark, depressing, and extremely bloody, exactly what you'd expect from Tim Burton. And it was kind of a musical, some probably knew that but I had no idea. I feel so out of the loop. Anyway, I didn't really like it, actually, I hated it. Jeff gives it 1 or 1 and a half because he felt like it was a good lesson about how seeking revenge can ruin everything in your life, especially the people you hold dearest. I think I'll give it 1 diamond instead of a lump of coal because the singing was pretty good, and it's Johnny Depp, what can I say?:)

Calling Melanie, Are you there?

A lot of people have stressed concern about Mel's lack of posts lately so I thought I'd better step in and put your mind at ease. I just checked her blog and sure enough, nothing again. I did see her Christmas day and she was alive and kicking. I guess this time of year, trying to make sure everything is perfect, (which she always does) juggling four boys, shopping, decorating, making hundreds of suckers, nursing a baby, and keeping the house clean and organized, oh yeah and making the cutest Christmas card ever, with a slide show attached, has kept her away from the computer. I know that's really out of character for her, and it's killing her, but she will be back soon. I'm thinking maybe even tomorrow. Here's a couple pics of one of the reasons she's been M.I.A. :) We love ya sis, and we'll be here waiting for you, anxiously, but patiently, when your ready to come back!

Another Day, Another Movie

****"P.S. I Love You" Jeff absolutely hated it and I really liked it. Usually we're on the same page where movies are concerned but not on this one. Hilary Swank is such a good actress. Gerry, her husband is soooo cute, I couldn't get enough of him (Gerard Butler). And Kathy Bates was really good too, she actually seemed different this time, where usually she seems like she plays the same character to me. I just really enjoyed his letters and seeing what he had planned for her next. I laughed and I cried. At one point Hilary Swank and her mom (Kathy Bates) were fighting about which is worse, your husband dying, or walking out on you. This part was particularly hard because I remember my mom saying (17 years ago) when my dad left, that she thinks it would have been easier if he had died because she still loved him and how do you just turn that off over-night after being together for over 27 years. That still breaks my heart when I think about it. Anyway, you girls out there, send your man into 'Alien vs Predator' and you go see this, I think you'll like it. Too chick-flicky for Jeff, he gives it one and a half diamonds, I'm giving it 3 and a half.


****"The Water Horse" I didn't think I was going to like this one and I LOVED it! What a pleasant surprise! It was set in the time during the war (1940's) and the boy that finds the egg really needed a friend because his dad was lost at sea and his mom doesn't give him any attention because she's grieving. I thought the "little" water horse was adorable and looked real. I kept thinking, 'how do they make it look so life-like'. I HIGHLY recommend seeing this one!! Very touching, fun, sad and happy, all at the same time. 4 diamonds.


****"The Great Debaters" Two words; Denzel Washington! Need I say more? Okay, I will, produced by Oprah Winfrey, directed by Denzel. That alone should make you want to rush out and see it right now! And, as if that's not enough, amazing Forest Whittaker is the minister and his real-life son plays his son who is on the debate team. (His name is Denzel Whittaker. That makes me go "hmmm, was he named after Denzel Washington himself?") It's set in 1935 when segregation was rampant in the deep south. It's based on a true story. So powerful! I didn't want it to end. LOVED IT! Guess what?! It gets my first 4 and a half diamond rating!!


P.S. I sat in the theater for 6 hours and 35 minutes for you people today! Now if that's not 'taking one for the team' I don't know what is! (hee hee)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's really here. It's not waiting for me to be ready. Man, did it ever sneak up on me this year! It's been different this year for me. The mortgage recession hit suddenly and hard, catching us off guard, and even with all the changes we made to down size, we weren't quite ready. I've spent the last month clearing out my basement to rent it out because our house probably wont sell in this market. In the process of getting rid of 'stuff' I've really realized that we don't need ANYTHING at all, especially any more toys or 'things' that will be forgotten and set aside within a week. It's funny how you really think twice about everything you buy when your pinching pennies. It's so great because I can't really buy much this year, so talk about perfect timing! We, my whole family, get to go on the family cruise On January 6th and that's our Christmas. How awesome is that! We get to all be together as our little family before Brandon goes on his mission. Once he leaves, our family as we know it, will never be the same. By the time he gets back, Elise will be 19 and a half, which is how old I was when I was engaged. This Christmas is going to be perfect! Thank you Everyone for your love and friendship! Hope your Christmas will be perfect too!

Another Day, Another Movie

****"National Treasure and the book of secrets" rated PG. I'm a big fan of the first one and was very excited to see this. I wasn't disappointed! I thought there was just the right amount of humor and suspense. Remember Riley from the first one? Thank goodness he's in this one too! He almost makes the movie. He's just as funny and witty as ever. Ed Harris makes for quite a bad guy, very good performance from him. I'm giving it 4 diamonds!

****"Charlie Wilson's War" rated R for language and a little bit of nudity in the beginning. I didn't know a whole lot about this one going into it. It's directed by Tom Hanks and he also plays the play boy congressman that helped the Afghanistans defeat the Russians in the 80's. Based on a true story. It was very interesting. Extremely good performances by Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, (from enchanted) Philip Seymour, and of course Tom Hanks himself. I'm giving it 3 diamonds.

Good Job Bryce!

Tonight was Bryces orchestra concert for parents. Today during school he also performed twice. He plays the violin and has since the beginning of last year. He goes to school an hour early one to two times a week to practice. His orchestra teacher is really awesome! For those who know Bryce, you know how shy he is, so I give him kudos for getting up in front of people to play. There are 53 students in the orchestra; 2 bass, 7 cello, 3 viola, and 41 violinists! So you can imagine how many people were there tonight! Good job Bryce, I'm so proud!

Another Day, Another Movie

****"I Am Legend" rated PG 13. I was so excited to see it. I was thinking it was going to be really scary and suspenseful. It was a little scary, but not as bad as I thought it would be. To me it was really sad, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. It was an interesting concept, and Will Smith was really good. The "villains" had the same characteristics as vampires. It was well done. Jeff gives it a solid 4 diamonds. If I base it on how much I enjoyed it, (which is usually how I judge) I'm giving it 3.

My Brother Dave

Since a lot of family members look at my blog, I thought it would be fun for you to see Dave's family because you never see him. For everyone else, bear with me:)

Last night Dave and his family went to Melanie's to hang out and I got some fun pictures. We don't get to see him very often because he lives in Tremonton, but that's better than Arkansas, which is where he lived for about 12 years.





Dave's Travis(7) Mandy's Dylan(8) Bryce, Mel's Sam(5) Josh(8) and Mandy's Ethan(5)

Dave's Lindsey(13) and Devan(11) and my Erika with their phones

Dave and Mandy. What a great pair. We love her!

Another Day, Another Movie

****"Alvin and the Chipmunks" I liked it more than I thought I would. It had a good story-line and pretty much kept me entertained the whole time. Very cute and fun. The kids will definitely like this one! Don't know what else to say about it. I enjoyed it. 3 diamonds






****"This Christmas" rated PG-13 for mild language and sexual innuendos. I really did enjoy it. It was interesting to see all the different issues and secrets that the family had. It reminds you how important family is. They were a little too flippant about the whole sex outside of marriage thing, Jeff would have hated it for that reason. It had a couple enjoyable performances by Chris Brown,( who played the youngest sibling) which was definitely a bonus. It was good. 3 diamonds.

For All Us Mothers...

Melanie showed this to me and I thought it was so great. Thought I'd post it for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Cute Overload

Oh my gosh I think this is the cutest pic ever. I don't know what else to say about it, I just had to post it because I have nothing else...

Another Movie...:)

****"Fred Claus" rated PG. I finally saw it. It's kind of your typical Santa Claus gets in a bind just before Christmas movie. I liked Paul Giamati as Santa Claus, and I'm sorry, but for some reason I find Vince Vaughn extremely sexy:), (Jeff has never understood this.) It was entertaining. I got a little bored with the 'Sibling anonymous' part, but it was kind of funny. (except Stephen Baldwin is stupid) I guess the guy that played Bill Clintons brother really is his brother and I wonder about the guy that played Sylvester Stallones brother, he did look alot like him. Anyway, I liked it, I'm giving it 3 and 1 /2 diamonds.

Another Day, Another Movie

****"The Golden Compass" rated PG13. I wanted to see this because of all the controversy about it being anti God? I so did'nt get that at all. To me it was a cross between Harry Potter, Narnia, and Lord of the Rings. I liked to see which animals their "spirits" morphed into, that was the best part. It was interesting, kinda hard to follow, and I don't think it's as much a kids movie as some might think. I was thinking about my nephews while I was watching it, thinking "I don't know if they would really get this. They would like the animals and that's probably about it." Jeff liked it, but is only giving it 2 and a half diamonds. I'm giving it 3.

Ahhhhhh, Glorious Peace

What's the best thing about getting ALL the kids off to school in the mornings? It's not having hours of quiet to do with what I want. It's not knowing that they're busy and feeding their brains with knowledge. And it's not even the fact that I don't have to entertain them and take them out to lunch, no, it's being able to listen to WHATEVER THE HECK MUSIC I WANT TO!!!!!!!!!!

This is how this morning went; Erika had a friend sleep over last night, which is usually ok because she actually wakes up for her friend and I don't have to spend 20 minutes trying to get her butt out of bed, so I get an extra 45 minutes of sleep! And they get ready together and all that girly stuff. Well, at 6:45 Erika comes running in my room screaming "mom, I almost threw up!, what should I do?!" Me, "well, I guess if your sick I'll just have to run your friends to school" ( I also pick up another friend in the neighborhood) So I start to try to get Bryce up at around 7:15, which is always a major feat because he hates school. I start making pancakes because I can't find any cream of wheat which is what Erika wanted. I keep yelling upstairs for Erika to hurry up because I didn't want to make her friends late. By now, another friend has come over, so this would make 3 girls late! School starts at 8:00 and it's now 7:55. No time to even eat the stupid pancakes so just one of the friends takes one to eat like a piece of toast. All the while, keep in mind that Erikas hip- hop rap-crap is blaring in the background. I finally get them to come down and we run out to the car." We can make it... oh crap, the windows on the car are frosted over!" (Elise parks in the garage because she leaves at 5:10 a.m.) I back out of the driveway totally blindly, using a gallon of windshield wiper fluid trying to clear the window. Pick up the friend, speed to the school and, because it is 8:03, I proceed to write a note; "Please excuse Fran, Jenni, and Morgan, we had carpool problems." And then Fran forges her moms name because she taught her how to and said she could in an emergency. The note can't be from me on account of Erika not going to school. Erikas hip-hop rap-crap is blaring in the car, which is even worse than blaring in the house. I rush home, (music still blaring because Erika is still in car) to get Bryce ready for school. Erika tries to get him to wake up, apparently not a good idea by the sound of his screams. They eat a pancake and we hurry him along. ( His school starts at 8:50)So, while her music is still blaring, Erika finishes getting ready so she can check in when I take Bryce, (she has had a miraculous recovery) and we're back in the car, music blaring. Drop Bryce off, kicking and screaming, as usual, and head to Erikas school. My phone rings, yay, I get to turn the music down! It's Elise, "can you please bring me lunch money and money for a snack after school for drill?". (Oh man!:( ) Drop Erika off, the door of the car shuts, and I turn the radio down, and change the station to my beautiful, soft, peaceful Christmas music, close my eyes and sigh Ahhhhhhh, glorious peace... And then I head to Elises school.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME

Okay Kandis, this is for you! thank you for your patience. I hope people will still tell me what their favorite movies are, it's been so much fun!

#1 The Count of Monte Cristo

BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE SQUARE

Once a year we go to temple square with Jeff's parents to see the lights and then go to JB's restaurant for dinner. It was kind of sad to think that this is the last year that we'll all be together. ( for two years) We've been doing it since Brandon was a baby. We were getting ready to leave and Bryce said "What about seeing Jesus?" so we went up to see The Christus and he said that was the best part.

HELLO SNOW!

This is what we woke up to Saturday morning. December 1st and our first snow that has stuck. Too bad I hadn't put the patio furniture away! Jeff and I drove to Tremonton to take Jeff's 4-wheeler to David (my little bro. for those of you that don't know that) that he bought from us. It started out rough with the snow, but by the time we got to about Layton it started clearing out and then kept getting better. It was as dry as a bone in Tremonton, weird! We got to go to a lovely dinner at The Maddox with Dave, Mandy, and her two boys before Dave had to go to work. (Thanks Guys!)

YAY PEOPLE!!!!

I was so excited to see I had gotten more comments since this morning! I've been at temple square and just checked in. Okay, I am going to post my favorites list but not my #1 until I get 1 more reply. I'm not counting Lisa's last one:) But that's okay because she's my most loyal commenter, next to my sis:) Thank you everyone, especially My mommy:) and aunt Ellen (Diane) I am so excited that you will finally comment on mine,Yay!! And by the way, you and Ken need to go see 'Dan in Real Life'. I promise you will like it. And thank you my new friend Linda:)!

25. Rat Race

24. Enough

23. Somewhere in Time

22. Armageddon

21. Walk the Line

20. Elf

19. Pursuit of Happyness

18. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

17. My Blue Heaven

16. 13 Going on 30

15. Shawshank Redemption

14. Road to Eldorado

13. Madagascar

12. The Score

11. Forrest Gump

10. Last Holiday

9. The Thomas Crown Affair

8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

7. Hairspray

6. Death Sentence

5. The Holiday

4. Return to Me

3. Ever After

2. A Knights Tale

Another Day, Another Movie

****"Awake" rated R for language. Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba. Oh, and Terrence Howard (love him.) Clay, (Hayden) needs a heart transplant and Terrence Howard is his friend and his Doctor. Sam, (Jessica) is Haydens girlfriend that he can't tell his mom about because she'll freak. I can't really tell you anything else because it will give it away. It was very unpredicable, which I was surprised about, because when I saw the previews, it just seemed like it would be obvious what happens. Not even! It's got alot of twists and turns for the short hour and a half that it is. It's really good, and I would recommend it. The language was not too bad, but it kinda was..? what? well, it had a half dozen F-words. Okay, am I starting to talk to myself and answer my own questions like my baby Gabe? Anyway, I really liked it. Giving it 3 and a half diamonds.


P.S. Thank you to those of you who have responded to my movie quiz. I've decided that when I get 10 comments I'll post my list:)


Oh my gosh! Can I just tell you that my sister is a computer genius!! She made it so much easier to add my diamonds! Thanks sis!

Is Anyone There?

Okay, so I'm getting ready to post my all-time favorite movies list, but I've been holding out for some response. I thought it would be so much fun to hear from everyone, (anyone) about what you think my #1 movie is, or at least anything in my top 3. Anyone out there, even strangers that might check in:) please give me a guess, and then tell me what your #1 favorite movie is!!! Mom, Aunt Carma, Aunt Ellen, Chantel...Michele?? This includes you guys! Love Ya!

Oh happy day!!!

How was everyones Thanksgiving?!! Hope it was great! Ours was wonderful, except I kept wishing my mom and grandma Sanders were with us, and of course, Mikes and Davids families would have made it perfect! We had my whole family, including Brandons girl friend Venessa, and Brandons Friend KC, who has been living with us for a few months. And Mels family. What Fun. The food was yummy and we went to the theater to see Enchanted, what a fabulous movie! And then we topped off a wonderful day by going to Joel and Lisa's house to play games and have more pie, YUM-O. I'm thankful for all of you in my life! Enjoy the Season!

Another Day, Another Movie

****"Enchanted" rated PG. This is a good one! Not too "chick-flicky" as one might think. The gal that plays the princess (Amy Adams) is so good at it. And two words, Patrick Dempsey, hello! It's a beautiful love story with a cute chipmunk and a mean and nasty step-mother, Susan Sarandon, (how fitting) Jeff, and all the kids really liked it, including Brandon! Jeff and I both give it 4 diamonds.



****"August Rush" rated PG. This is definately a must see! About the boy who was raised in an orphanage but "just knows his parents want him". He sets out to find them and meets a rugged 'cowboy' (Robin Williams) who tries to be his agent but is in it for himself. A very different role for Robin. The love of music and their talents try to bring them together. It did drag a little, and it's kind of predictable, but very good. Jeff and I give it 3 and 1/2 diamonds.



****"The Mist" rated R for language and gore. Stephen King come on! I went because I thought it would be fun to get scared and I thought it would be interesting. WRONG!!! I have two words, HATED IT! At the risk of ruining it for anyone, what I thought was going to be in the mist, and what was in the mist, couldn't have been more opposite. And what was in the mist was s0 LAME. It was gross and disgusting and sometimes the people were so stupid. Then add Stephen Kings whacky ideas on religion and you have a mess. And as if it weren't bad enough, the ending leaves you totally jaw-dropped and sick to your stomach! It takes it from, as Lisa said "Just a lame movie to a sick and wrong and terrible movie". Jeffs giving it 1 and a 1/2 diamonds, and me? guess. Yep, lump of coal!



****"Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium" rated G. It was fun, but I don't think I liked it as much as I thought I would. I didn't quite "get" Dustin Hoffmans Character. I'm sure I'm trying to read way too much into it. Maybe I thought there would be more of the toys coming to life. The lesson they're trying to get across is good. I don't know, it was kind of off for me. Jeff gives it 3 and I give it 2 and a half.

Miss you Grandma!

It was 4 years ago today that I lost my Grandma, my dear friend and my always willing lunch buddy. How I wish she could have been here today sitting at the Thanksgiving table with us. My life hasn't been the same since she went to heaven. I take comfort in knowing that she is up there running and dancing and not in any more pain. I can't wait to see her again someday. I love you Grandma!

More Movie Critiques

A couple movies that I saw awhile back that I thought might be of interest, but aren't at the theaters right now;

****"Into the Wild" This was very interesting to me. It's about the guy who decides he wants to sell everything he owns and move to Alaska and live off the land, literally in the wild. He was only like 24 or something. I think what makes it so interesting is that it's a true story. It's kind of sad and happy at the same time because you just know that he's doing what he wants to do, even though it's hard. You start to realize that theres no way he could live the "normal, traditional" life. If this comes to the dollar theater I would highly recommend seeing it. I think it's rated R but I don't know why, theres no sex or nudity in it. Jeff and I both give it 3 diamonds.

****"Death Sentence" Rated R for language and violence. Starring Kevin Bacon and Kelly Preston. I have to say that this was one of my favorite movies of the "quarter". I'm not sure why I liked it so much but I really did. I think it's because the gangsters get what they deserve and it's so awesome. It's too bad they had to put so many 'F' words in it, but I guess that's how gangsters talk so they had to make it genuine. If you can kinda block out the language I think you'll really like it. It does have some really sad parts in it, But it's soooo good. I've been watching for it to come to the dollar theater. I would really see it if you get the chance. Maybe it's going to go straight to DVD and skip the dollar theater. If so, be sure to rent it and then tell me what you think! Jeff gives it 3 and a half and I give it 4 (almost 5!)