Gallivan-ting Toads

On Thursday night I dragged James to see Toad the Wet Sprocket at the Gallivan Center. I like Toad, but it was one of those experiences that just made me feel a bit old and a bit of a dork. James, I think, was bored out of his mind, even though he made no comment in support of boredom or the opposite. He just made no comments . . . adding to my feelings of total dorkdom.

My sister and I saw Toad when I was still in high school. They played at Abravanel Hall, barefoot, standing on rugs. It sounded excellent! I have seen Glen Phillips alone a couple of times (at different ends of Bricks, In the Venue, whatever else it is called), with Nickel Creek once (at the amazing, but no longer Zephyr Club), and with the Works Progress Administration (at the State Room). I think I also saw Toad on their first reunion tour (also at In the Venue). They're okay, but I have enjoyed Glen Phillips alone and with other artists more.

This one was pretty uneventful. I've never actually paid money to see a show at the Gallivan Center and well, its nothing to write home about (does writing on a blog count as "writing home?"). It's kind of cool to see a show in the middle of big buildings,

but that's about it for the positive. There is a big concrete wall behind the audience as you stand and watch the performance (I think the wall actually houses the restrooms). All of the sound kind of claps against that building and falls harshly back towards your ears. The vocals echo. The bass drum sounds like clanging a metal can. I wasn't impressed.

I know my sister has sworn off concert going in her old age, and this one made me think that maybe I should too, even though I don't want to. I'm just not cool anymore. Oh wait, was I ever? Probably not. I'll never miss a Guster show and I won't swear off concert going all toghether, but it just doesn't have the appeal and excitement that it used to. That's ok. I think I'm content with that.

I did have fun changing my cool cell phone pictures into strange colors.

Happy 4th of July

Where did my little baby girl go from last year's 4th of July? She grew. I can't hardly even remember the little tiny girl of a year ago. Oh well. I guess I like this little girl, too, and I'll keep her! She definitely makes funnier faces.

Things that matter

I've always thought that if you are living the way you are supposed to be living and striving to do your best, things will work out how they are supposed to work out, and in your best interest.

I like President Uchtdorf's addition to this. Not only will living right help you out in the present, but it will help you for the eternity. He says at the end of this video:

"Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world."

I found this little Mormon Message while preparing a primary lesson and I liked it!

Summer So Far (post #2)

Today we wrapped up swimming lessons. I think we may sign up again for another session. Molly likes it, but it is also good exercise for the fat mamma who takes her. Cousin Natalie and other Teacher Amanda do a great job with the kids (and the parents). We had a lot of fun and celebrated today with a certificate and a sucker.

Perhaps the best part about swimming is that Molly usually comes home like this and takes a good 3 hour nap. It totally wipes her out.

On Tuesday, Molly got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Binggeli while I went to the dentist, then we went to Crown Burger and had a birthday party for James. It was a good day.

Wednesday we went to Tracy Aviary with Annie, Elliott, and Wyatt (no Willie or Parker this time. Willie is in St. George at a basketball camp and Parker was hanging out with his mom). Molly was a little grouchy, but Elliott and Wyatt were good. After the Aviary we went to Wendy's. Molly ate 2 entire chicken nuggets for lunch. We're making some progress in the food area.

Also on Wednesday, what seemed like a tornado, hit Grandpa's house during a big windstorm. It knocked down some huge tree limbs, destroyed a blind on the deck, and blew a bunch of other things around. The worst of it, however, was a glass patio table that is heavy and hasn't moved anywhere for years, got blown off a deck, shattered, and ended up in the swimming pool in a million tiny pieces. Ross started working on it, then Dee, Liz, and I did. We shop-vac'd the sidewalk around the pool and scooped up what we could from inside the pool with the net and a broom. There were still lots of individual little pieces, though. We had an idea to put a nylon on the edge of the hose and vacuum up the rest. It worked pretty well, but we had to keep stopping and emptying the nylon and rearranging it because the glass cut a few holes in it. I think we got most of it, but unfortunately, I think we may be finding small flakes of glass in the pool all summer. We'll just have to be careful. What a mess!

Our summer is going great so far! I can't believe it is almost the 4th of July already.

I also would never have believed in a million years that I'd have a daughter who looked this cute in pink. I thought it would totally cramp my style, but I think I'm getting used to it. (Yes, I know she's a little big for the Bumbo, but she'll usually sit in it for a few minutes while a comb her hair and it is a very useful restraining device.)

Happy Birthday James

#31

(June 28, 1980)

Thanks for being a good dad, a good husband, and working really hard all the time! Molly and I love you and hope you have a great birthday.