The Best of 2011

I'm ringing out the old year...10 days late.

BEST Pictures

Then, of course, here are a few that won't be making it into our albums for obvious reasons!

Best Movies (viewed in 2011)

'Amazing Grace', 2006, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch and Rufus Sewell (TOTALLY underrated actor)

This is a fantastic movie retelling the true story of Henry Thornton, serving as a member of Parliament between the late 1700s and early 1800s.  He makes it his personal mission to eradicate the British slave trade and is led on by the man who wrote the Christian hymn 'Amazing Grace'...a monk who reformed himself from being a slave trader himself.

'Luther', 2003, starring Joseph Fiennes and Alfred Molina 

The movie begins by introducing us to a young and confused Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church. 

I've resisted watching this movie for years, convinced I didn't have the time or emotional fortitude to watch a heavy breather about Germany in the Middle Ages.  Maybe it was the magic of watching it while riding along Germany's Black Forest or being abjectly humbled by the day's visit to a Concentration Camp.  Whatever it was, I found 'Luther' heartbreaking and riveting.  I have a whole new respect for what he was able to overcome and then accomplish in his providentially guided life.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and 2, starring...DUH!

I know it's probably cliche by now, but I truly LOVED both of these movies.  There were so many elements of the story I envisioned just as they were depicted on the big screen.

Almost everyone who loves HP has an emotional connection to it.  I'm no different.  He-Man and I began reading them when he was starting college.  The last book came out right after he graduated from his doctorate program.  We spent many nights between studying, pouring over the pages of the series.  We purchased Book 5 on the way home from Utah back to Oregon.  We began reading during the first hour and read to each other through the night...12 hours.  We were both hoarse and exhausted pulling up to our apartment the next morning.  Oh, the memories!  Those two movies were the end of an era for us....I guess we have to grow up now...DANG IT!

Best New (to me anyway) Songs that gave my morning run a little extra pep:


'Magic', B.o.B
At first, I HATED this song.  I thought it was soooooo dumb!  It makes me crazy to hear terrible annunciation in the form of song because inevitably, I sing right along and look like an idiot.  But this song grew on me before I had a chance to revolt.

You know me, I break all the rules like Evel Knievel.

Don't be hatin' cause my heart pumps diesel (even though it's soooo not environmentally friendly).

'Every Teardrop is a Waterfall', Coldplay 
This song is EPIC.  I highly recommend running on the beach to it!

'Faster', Matt Nathanson
I love this song for sexy He-Man reasons.  Nuff said.

'Tonight, Tonight', Hot Chelle Rae
I know, I know...totally Top 40...whatever

'Sweet Serendipity', Lee DeWyze
Apparently he was an American Idol guy a couple of years ago.  Great song.  I heard it at the gym and was hooked from then on.

'Rhythm of Love', Plain White T's
I had no idea this song came from the same guys that sing that 'Delilah' song...nails on a chalk-board kind of loathing of that one.  But I LOVE this one!

'Young Blood', The Naked and Famous
Two words:  International Awesomeness.  I highly recommend cranking this song up in your minivan.  It'll make you feel like you're driving 80 on along the Italian Coast...in a Ferrari.  It will also make you feel like you're 17 again.

'Squealing Pigs', Admiral Fallow
My Ode to the British Countryside...happy sigh.

'Kung Fu Fighting', Cee Lo Green's remix
Except for the fact that the natural course of listening to this song was Ruby learning how to Karate Chop the shins of everyone above five feet tall.


DISHONORABLE MENTION
Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People

One of my faves of big bro and me EVER!

When The Flash and I met in Chicago for our little jog, I decided this was meant to be our anthem.  And it ended up becoming that...until big brother enlightened me on what it was about.  REALLY not cool.  For that, I can never listen to the song now without feeling puppy killing guilt...which cancels out the enjoyment to begin with.





New Faces

Verne, The Russian War Hamster

Intruders Beware, He's got fangs

New Realizations

Surrounded by a bunch of Jags fans?  What makes you think that?

I've heard of Strawberry Fields but what about Marshmallow Fields?

While the mosquitoes glut themselves off the blood of anything that moves down here in Neverland, fireflies visit in the Spring and kind of make it worth it!

Apparently, we have a daughter who is old enough to drive a golf cart!

2011:  Year of the Backyard

Memorial Day Dodge Ball Tournament

Homeschool Co-Op P.E. Class

Smores Anyone?

Backyard Star Wars Movie Night-

Cheeky Stormtrooper making commentary during the movies?  Yes, please!