Ouchie!

The day after Christmas we had a fun (haha) trip to the doctor's office... Of all the fun Christmas presents to get hurt on (a bike, twist car, guitar hero drum set...), Britt was climbing on a big empty cardboard box when he fell. He bumped his face on a speaker and (as we found out from the doc) his teeth went completely through his lip! That little scratch below his lip actually was a hole. They didn't do stitches or anything (which Britt was disappointed by) but he'll be on antibiotics for a while.
The doctor couldn't believe how "mellow" he was while he got checked out, and Justin and I have been a little surprised at how well he's done. He never complains about his ouchie, and even wanted to eat chicken strips that night for dinner. Which was a bummer for me, since I had already bought a truckload of pudding (and ice cream, yogurt, pureed fruit, etc.) thinking he wouldn't want to chew anything for a while. I just hope it doesn't scar too bad...

Best of the year: day 31

Here's the last (and arguably the best) of it. I won't go on and on about this band because the best way to tell someone how great they are is to just have them listen...so listen...

Fleet Foxes-"Mykonos"

Fleet Foxes-"White Water Hymnal"


Fleet Foxes-"Blue Ridge Mountains"


Fleet Foxes-"English House"


We really do hope you enjoyed at least one or two of these songs. Music is one of our very favorite things, and we love sharing the music we love with anyone who will listen. It was hard to narrow down all the great things that came out this year, but I think we did an alright job of it, even if we had to leave a lot out. Now go listen to something you've never heard before, you'll probably find something you like!

Best of the year: day 30

I think I may have lied when I said there wasn't really any order to this...I saved the best two for last.

Bon Iver gave me goosebumps the first time I really listened, and I still get chills sometimes when I really listen. It's perfect music when you feel like really listening to something...when you're driving to work in the dark foggy rain or lying there unable to fall asleep at night...it's a tractor beam. I could go on all day about this guy.

You don't see musicians get into it like this during TV performances..
Bon Iver-"Skinny Love"


Bon Iver-"Flume"


Bon Iver-"Re: Stacks"


Bon Iver-"Lump Sum"

Best of the year: day 29

This is just opinion, but these two bands are probably the most reliable there are...in that they keep releasing great album after great album, never disappointing.

The Mountain Goats-"Sax Rohmer #1"


The Mountain Goats and Kaki King-"Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle"

The Hold Steady-"Constructive Summer"
The Hold Steady-"Lord, I'm Discouraged"

The Hold Steady-"Sequestered In Memphis" (just 'cause dave's always good for a laugh)

Best of the year: day 28

This was one of our best discoveries ever.

Shearwater-"The Snow Leopard"
Shearwater-"Rooks"

Best of the year: day 27

I wanted to post the video for this song, but the only one I could find was from MTV and you would have had to watch a promo for whatever joke of a show they're pushing these days, and I'm not having that here. The long and short of today's post is this: MTV can go drive off a cliff and No Age rules...go watch the video at subpop.com.

No Age-"Eraser"

Best of the year: day 25

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sufjan Stevens-"Christmas In The Room"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-"All I Want For Christmas"
The Raveonettes-"Come On Santa"

Best of the year: day 24

This is a sad little Christmasy song with a nice looking video.

The Boy Least Likely To-"The First Snowflake"


...and one more by one of our favorite bands...
The Boy Least Likely To-"The Boy Least Likely To Is A Machine"

Attn: Victoria's Secret mailing list director...

Henceforth, I will contact YOU when I'm in the market for a fifty dollar bra. You see, on occasion, my three-year-old son checks the mail, and seeing as how we don't typically get mail with underwear-clad ladies all over it... he feels the need to examine it.

Best of the year: day 23

Music that gets better every time you listen:

Department of Eagles-"In Ear Park"
Department of Eagles-"No One Does It Like You"

Best of the year: day 22

Here's another song that I could listen to 40 times in a row and still love it every time. These guys get my vote for most under-rated group of the year. THEY SHOULD'A BEEN HUGE!

Blitzen Trapper-"Furr"

Best of the year: day 21

This is a pastor and his wife. Most of their album is folky religious stuff, and the whole thing is great. Here's a favorite from it.

Welcome Wagon-"Sold! To The Nice Rich Man"

Best of the year: day 20

I hope you're not wearing socks, 'cause they're 'bout to be rocked off.

Les Savy Fav-"Rage In The Plague Age"

You should youtube these guys...there's just nothing like a bearded, balding redhead who rarely wears shirts and has some killer moves.

While we're on the subject of great rock bands with even better facial hair:
Man Man-"Top Drawer"

Best of the year: day 19

hubba hubba



Marnie Stern-"Transformer"


(disclaimer: we're each allowed a celebrity crush...justin did today's post)

Three years ago I did the work... and now he gets the party!

I can't believe I'm the mommy of a three-year-old! Every year with Britt around just gets more and more fun. Yesterday the first thing he wanted to do after he woke up was call Daddy (at work) and tell him, "Daddy! I'm 'flea' right now!" Then in the evening we had a little party with Britt's Grandmas and Grandpas, and even a few uncles, an aunt and some cousins. :) It was a great time... thanks to all of our family for making Britt's birthday so special.
One little story first: We had to run to the store for a few things before the party and Britt insisted on wearing his party hat. When I asked him why he wanted to wear it he said, "well, that makes guys and ladies laugh." Funny kid...


Britt had fun at his last birthday party, but this time he really understood it. He made a paper chain last month and had been counting down the days until he was 'flea.'

He got some killer presents this year too (thanks again to everyone...) check out this Little People Nativity Set. So cute! and not breakable, so mine stays safe! :)

This must be his "look-at-my-present!" pose... we saw it several times last night...

here it is again...

and yet again...

I just had to throw this one in there so you all know that cousin Emelyn had a great time at her first real birthday party :) she was smiling like this at Justin... I think I have some competition :)

Britt's choice for a cake this year was, "a big scary bug... like hairy and with teeth."

thanks again to Kaitlynn for letting me borrow her 'bake & fill.' The giant bug would not have been the same if it didn't have chocolate pudding 'guts.'

Britt already told me that he isn't going to be taking these Superman PJs off for "a lon-lon-lon time." side note: this was the only time all night that Britt got off of his twist-car, and look how thrilled Ellee is (in the background) to finally have a turn on it :)

Best of the year: day 18

One more from another one that didn't leave the stereo for a while (it actually made its way back in there and is in Justin's car as I type).

Deerhunter-"Never Stops"

Best of the year: day 17

We asked Britt what band he wanted to put on the computer for his birthday. "Sigee Wos!" So here is some Sigee Wos!

Sigur Rós-"Gobbledigook" (if you don't have fun listening to this, there's no hope for you.)
Sigur Rós-"Inní mér syngur vitleysingur"(...same comment as above)
Sigur Rós-"Festival" (If you only listen to one song this week, make it this one...and don't give up after the first 3 minutes...trust me.)

Now we try not to go on and on about the music we've been posting, but just can't help it with these guys. After all, they are the best band in the world. (we woke up at 5am on a Saturday to order tickets, looked forward to this every day for three months, and were still blown away)

Best of the year: day 16

Here is just one song from another of our absolute favorite albums of the year. If you need something happy and upbeat, pick this one up...it's from Sweden!

Marching Band-"Letters"

Britt

Here are some things about Britt at 3 years old:
* He LOVES girls... he calls them "the ladies"
* He loves bugs and animals
* He can count to 20 (when he feels like it) and knows (almost) all of his ABCs
* He loves sports and being outside
* His favorite food is chicken fettucini alfredo with steamed brocolli
* He loves music and art
* He is the sweetest and most thoughtful kid I've ever met! (He's always noticing if people are upset, or if Granny is wearing a new shirt, etc...)
* He can swim like a fish! Even holds his breath to dive for pool rings under water!
* He hates when people chew with their mouths open, and will ask them not to (Justin and I can both take credit for this one... it's a huge pet peeve we both have)
* He likes to do yoga with me

And now for a photo-guided trip through the past 3 years...










e










Sorry to make it such a long post, but it's hard to pick just a few pictures when you have a child as adorable as we do! :)

Best of the year: day 15

If you're looking for a song to play in the background while you let people mingle around your home, here's a suggestion.

Foals-"Red Socks Pugie"

Best of the year: day 14

Another Sunday song to relax to. It's 5 minutes of groovy bliss.

Brightblack Morning Light-"Hologram Buffalo"

Best of the year: day 13

Of all the songs...ALL the songs...I heard this year, this one spent the most time stuck in my head. If we were going in order where our very very favorite songs were held til the end, this one would probably be in the last week.

MGMT-"Kids"

Best of the year: day 12

I know it's not top 40 pop music, but give it a chance. Soon enough, you'll be digging through the closet for your leisure suit.

Hercules and Love Affair-"Blind"

The Polar Express

We had so much fun! Britt is already planning our trip for next year... :)

For more info click here.

Best of the year: day 11

Brogue...enough said.

Frightened Rabbit-"The Twist"

Best of the year: day 10

Some W's for Wednesday:

Wolf Parade-"California Dreamer
Wolf Parade-"Fine Young Cannibals"
Women-"Group Transport Hall"

W is for wonderful.

bunnies and babies

Look what Grandma brought over for Britt to hold! (his birthday is next week and I believe my exact words were, "don't even think about it...") :) They sure were fun for a few minutes though. :)


Practicing his "big brother" skills by reading a story to the bunny. :)


And here are some nice shots of "the belly" at 30 weeks. Three-quarters of the way there! I was just thinking that if this baby comes as early as Britt did, we only have 6 weeks left! (Although, we really hope she's comfy enough to stay in my belly until at least a week longer than Britt did. We're hoping to avoid the NICU with this one...)


I really debated about posting this... but I think it's cool. It's so crazy to think that there's a human being inside my belly. Anyway, this is the view I have all day, and this is what is happening (pretty much) all day. :)

sorry about the background noise, Britt was watching Mulan...

Best of the year: day 9

IT'S TWOFER TUESDAY! Two great bands, two songs each...I wish I could get away with putting the whole Plants and Animals album on here...it's highly recommended by four out of four Brimhalls.

And Passion Pit is just plain addicting.

Plants and Animals-"Bye Bye Bye"


Plants and Animals-"Feedback in the Field

Passion Pit-"Better Things"

Passion Pit-"Sleepyhead"

Best of the year: day 8

Hi, we're a week and a day in...another song.

The Walkmen-"In The New Year"

Best of the year: day 7

Yesterday we had the fun. We washed our hair, we shopped at the store...we basically got the work done and did all that stuff you have to do so we can be ready for Sunday. Since we don't have to work until Monday, we can spend Sunday relaxing...and here's some of the best stuff to relax to. It's one song from one of our very favorite albums of the whole year...top 5 even!

Beach House-"Gila"

Best of the year: day 6

It's Saturday! What better way to celebrate than with something off the charts fun. We got to see these three New Zelanders play earlier this year, and it was the best time we'd had at a show in a loooong time. What else would you expect from a guy with McPhun for a last name?

Ruby Suns-"Tane Mahuta"

TAG: My Mosaic

The Rules: answer the following 9 questions about yourself:

First name?
Celebrity crush?
Favorite drink?
Favorite color?
Dream vacation?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Favorite dessert?
What do you love most in life?
One word to describe you?

Want to play? Type your answers to each of the above questions into flickr search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy & paste each of the URL's into Mosaic Maker. (3 columns, 3 rows)

Best of the year: day 5

Two songs on day five. They're similar and unique at the same time. Have fun list'nin'!

Ra Ra Riot-"Too Too Too Fast"

M83-"Kim & Jessie"

Best of the year: day 4

...hope you'll enjoy...you will.

Pomegranates-"In The Kitchen"

Best of the year: day 3

There are several CDs on this list that we just could not pick only one song from... thus, here are a couple from an amazing CD (that didn't leave our stereo for at least three months after we got it).




Born Ruffians- "Hummingbird"

Best Songs Day 2

This is our favorite spooky song of the year.

Chad VanGaalen - "Molten Light"

Giving thanks and chopping down trees...

Things we did in the last week:
*ate lots of delicious food (Thanksgiving with Justin's mom's side of the family, and Sunday at my parents' house)
*played a rousing game of Guitar Hero World Tour at "Gramma Tooweeta's" (the game was nothing compared to Britt's AWESOME dance moves during the classic Michael Jackson song "Beat It." Jordan and Kaitlynn, you know what I'm talking about)
*introduced Britt to his first bear... and the idea of taxidermy (he's not that into it...)
*hunted for and cut down a beautiful Christmas tree
*watched as Britt shamelessly flirted with Justin's cousin "Bridgie" all weekend
*went to baby Emelyn's blessing
*spent lots of time with family
* {Britt} played with cousins (David, Bridgett, Haylee, Jorden, Jillen, Jayden, Jensen, and Ellee)
* {Justin} worked 4 out of the last 5 days...
* {Brianna} ate my weight in sweet potatoes...

David and Britt enjoying Thanksgiving dinner

Not too sure about this bear...

Bridgett and Britt (with Jarret laughing in the background)

one of our favorite traditions, when we get out of the car to hunt for Christmas trees we bury cream soda in the snow...then when we get back it's nice and frosty! :)

our last Christmas as a family of three!
I should have had the picture taken before we got got dirty and sweaty from hiking around and chopping down trees...

Ellee and Britt LOVING the new snowglobes Granny got them

Finally, Britt's 5 nap-less days caught up with him, and he fell asleep watching his new nightlight... at 6:00pm. :)

31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF!

The two of us have pretty discerning music tastes (sometimes to the point of being snobs about it). Brianna loves lists...so naturally we're going to end the year with a long list about music. Here are 31 (give or take) of our favorite songs of 2008, in no order, one (or more) every day until the last day of the year. So here's the first song, a delightful pop gem!

School of Seven Bells - "Half Asleep"