I would like to say Happy Birthday to Beck! I hope he has a great 1st birthday! It is crazy that he is one already! Hope to see you guys soon!
Love,
Aunt Kim, Uncle Treven, Melia, and McKenzie

Also here is a post that I put on our blog like 2 or 3 days ago... Just thought I would put it on here as well! There is a video on our blog of Melia... It just took forever to post on there so if you want to see it, go ahead and go there.

Everything seems to be going by so fast... January is almost over! It is crazy! Anyway, so here is an update from us for those of who don't know... Treven was accepted to WSU Vancouver... again. The first time he applied, there was a mistake and he applied for Spring. Well he is going to BYU Idaho so he was supposed to apply for Summer. He got accepted for Spring so we had to cancel that and then apply again for summer. Well he just got that acceptance letter and everything seems to be working great. We are moving back to Vancouver, Washington in April. Treven is done here on April 9th, but we are not going to leave until the 14th so that we have a couple of days to pack things up. Our friends Matt and Kate are probably going to be moving into this apartment after we leave. They are thinking of coming out a little early and we can help each other move. We are going to live at my parent's house at least through the summer. I am going to try and get a teaching job, but if not, well... I can substitute and still make a decent amount. WSU Vancouver is about a block or two away from my parent's house so that will be nice to have it so close. It is also going to be so much fun to be near a bunch of family again.
We absolutely love our new apartment so it kind of stinks that we will be moving so soon. My mom even asked, "do you like it enough to stay?" and I replied, " Almost, but then I look outside at the weather and say forget it I am moving!" It is nice and big for the girls to run around and it has tons of storage for us to put away things. It keeps me from being driven crazy by a mess everywhere. It is just easier to keep clean.
More news is that Melia is potty trained! I tried for about 2 days and it just seemed to not being working right but then my wonderful sister-in-law, Tracey, gave me advice that worked like a charm with Melia! She was potty trained in about 2 days and doesn't even wear pull-ups anymore. She is fine during the night and during naps. We have gone on several trips to Idaho Falls and the grocery store and she does great letting us know that she needs to go. I just know now that McKenzie will be harder... I just had it too easy with Melia.
I am just relaxing and enjoying being a mom full time. I am going to start subbing, hopefully, in February. We will see.. we don't need it right now so I don't want to make it a burden on Treven or the girls.
McKenzie is 6 months now, but is in 9 and 12 month clothes which is great though because now I can match the girls' dresses. She is just a BIG baby! She is very tall and chubby. We will see where she is at on February 10th at her wellness check up. She rolls EVERYWHERE! She is starting to pick up everything off of the floor so I pretty much vacuum the floor every night. She pushed her torso and head all the way up, but hasn't connected that the legs need to as well to be able to crawl. She is eating solid foods like a champ! I found I have to add rice cereal to everything to make it thicker. She is loving stealing toys away from Melia... I think there is a change coming that Melia will have to get used to.
Melia loves our new ward's nursery and she just seems to be getting smarter every day. She loves being social with other kids and sometimes it is a little excessive.
Well McKenzie woke up and wants to eat the keyboard so I will have to leave it there... I will be posting some pictures later

Dave and I were both out last night. When we go, I leave a white board with instructions for the kids while we're away. Last night, I came home to my list erased - and this in it's place.

Adina

The weather was extra amazing today and we spent a long time at the park and walking to get Hayden at school and I got a sun burn! In January!!!! Fantastic! It was an awesome Japanese park with this huge slab of cement that was a slide, Danica was in heaven! The weather has made running great, I really have no excuse not to run other than laziness. I set a goal for this month to run 80 miles, 20 a week and it’s gone really well. It’s great having a little extra incentive to get myself out the door. The race was a lot of fun and I’m glad I won because it was my first and last chance to win in the 18-29 year old category! A few more months and I roll over to join the “old” people... ugh. If only there were a way that I could stay the same age forever... that reminds me of my second bit of great news: The Twilight movie came to the island! It was only here for a week or so but it was fabulous and I had a great time seeing it. The theater was packed with teenage girls and they made it so much fun with all their squeals, yells and swoons. I enjoyed the movie and my short trip back to Forks. I had a few spare minutes today while the girls took a late bath after getting filthy at the park and I picked up Eclipse and got sucked in. I had to hurry to put it down because I could tell how easily I could have spent the rest of the day reading when in reality I had to get Hayden at school, do homework, take him to Karate and then go the grocery store, eat dinner and then watch my friends kids because her husband is out of town and her and Tom had to be at a young women’s activity. Needless to say, reading was not in my plans for today!

I keep thinking that I will sit down on Sunday and write about the week but it seems that if I actually have a quiet minute on Sunday I just fall asleep and so weeks go by without an update! Luckily we only have minor news to report:

Hayden learned how to ride his bike! It’s seriously about time! He’s been so sure he would just fall down that he wasn’t even willing to try. Finally his friend’s dad suggested we take him to a huge grass field to practice so it wouldn’t hurt so much if he fell and that did the trick. He learned in a matter of minutes once he was willing to try it! He’s been saying some really crazy things lately, here’s two examples:

Hayden was making some chocolate milk to have with his lunch one day. He finished stirring it and was about to take it out the table when he said:
“You know I have to taste it don’t you.”
“You do? Why?”
“It might be poisoned, I have to check.”
“Well, if it’s poisoned then you are the one who did it because you made it.”
“Umm, maybe not because it could have been a rat and lizard. A really strong rat could open the lid to the chocolate mix and the lizard could spit in it and he could have poison spit. Oh, wait, are there rats on this island? How could rats get here? It’s not like they could swim”
“They could come on a boat.”
“Oh yeah, of course, rats love boats.”

The second incident was last night, we had gone to Burger King for dinner (the only American place with kids meals with toys, a necessity for Hayden.) We were done eating and were trying to leave the play area. Hayden wanted to stay longer and was upset we had wasted time eating instead of only playing. So he said:
“I wish that we were all just made of bread so that whenever we got hungry we could just reach down and grab a piece of ourselves and we wouldn’t ever have to stop playing.”
I’m thinking that if that’s the case I want to be made of chocolate brownie...

So here I sit in a Hampton Inn along a Pennsylvania Turnpike NE of Harrisburg. Up the road a bit is Fort Indiantown Gap. Don't know what that is? That is okay, neither did I. Basically it is the HQ of Pennsylvania National Guard and a large Army Reserve Training Center. We are here because it is also the closest large simulation center to Washington D.C. So this is "hands-on week" The blog title references the restaurant owner today that told me not to try another nearby place because it was bought out by "Egyptians, or Indians, or Greeks or somethin'" Hmmmmmmm. It is exciting to see all the simulation advances. This one (link) is especially exciting because it is basically an enhancement of my favorite PC combat sim, which I always felt would make a great training system. I will post the youtube video too.

I have spent the last hour trying to figure out how to post to multiple blogs at once. No luck for the PC, at least nothing that worked for me. It looks like Mac has a payware program called Ecto for all you rich people. I will just cut and paste.

I hate TV, but I watch it. So glad we hardly watch it at home. It is so easy to mind melt. Just wanted to add that.

D.C. has been fun. Lots of great memories with Dave and Kay-Kay and Wa-Wa. Although I have yet to go off on a server for lack of a club salad:-) And, I think "Hermy" would be OK left in the car right now Dave, or maybe he would freeze to death. The new WWII memorial is amazing. I know Kay-Kay would have loved to seen that; they cared so much about those servicemen that passed through their home on the way to hell. It is good to see them have such a wonderful memorial. I still run around the national mall regularly. It is inspiring and a great length for a long run (5.7 miles...well unless you are superheroes like Tracey or Tom or Dave. You may have to run around the state of Maryland too) My run route starts at the Lincoln memorial, then I run along the very edge of the reflecting pool, through the arches of the WWII memorial, up to the Washington Monument back down the little hill and then a long run up the dirt path to the capitol building, loop around By the Supreme Court building and then back to the Lincoln Memorial on the same route. Usually I will sit and read the Gettysburg address while I cool down and contemplate the line:


"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."


And I guess when I think about that, I don't just think about Soldiers I lost in Iraq, or those that died at Gettysburg but all those that sacrificed for what the nation is supposed to be: pilgrims, pioneers, revolutionaries, inventors, slaves, civil-rights activists, mothers, and more. Basically Americans that gave their all. It is inspiring. We are going to spend Friday afternoon at Gettysburg on the way back. That has been something I have wanted to do for a while.

I am so happy to know I will be home to be a real husband and father here soon (17 days) Brooke has been a champ but is understandably hitting the wall right now. My job situation is still a little ambiguous, but it will have to work itself out, right? They still have to pay me:-\

Marnie, thanks for the playlist idea. Except for lame-Os like Mom, Dave, Tom, Treven, Peter, and Tracey, it worked out pretty well and was alot of fun.

I saw Slumdog and it really is fantastic. But, having said that, I am boycotting the Oscars because Gran Torino got snubbed. What a shame and it just shows how ridiculous that competition has become. It is like the BCS of movies.

Well, time to go.

Mike

      Ok, so I don't have a cool picture... no clue how to do that. But here is a list of songs I happen to think of today. I am known for killing albums by playing them to death and then move on to the next album or group of songs. There are way too many songs over the years that have moved me for different reasons. But any song that I can play to death and then come back to and still love is a good one.

1."You Can’t Always Get What You Want”- The Rolling Stones: I am a stones fan. This song has a good message… but I don’t think the Stinchfield boys buy into it :)

2. “Baba O’Riley”- The Who: Nope, its’s not called “Teenage Wasteland”!
3. “Go Ask Alice”- Jefferson Airplane: I just like it.
4. “The Moment I Said It”- Imogen Heap: Unique songwriting… and Brent can attest that I have sung my guts out to this on many a car ride. Can you hit the high notes???
5. “The Battle”- Gladiator Soundtrack: Parts of this song were mixed into the best show I ever helped choreograph… we even won the national championship.
6. “El Tango De Roxanne”- Moulin Rouge Soundtrack: Great soundtrack. I love almost every song on it.
7. “Realize”- Colbie Caillet: I’m a recent fan of hers. Love how she got started.
8. “Apologize”- OneRepublic: Great to play loud in the car!!
9. “No Air”- Jordan sparks: The show “So You Think You Can Dance” made me a fan of this song.
10. “Somebody To Love”- Brittany Murphy: This is a Queen song re-done in the Happy Feet movie. Cute movie and who knew Brittany Murphy could sing??
11. “Feelin Good”- Michael Buble: How can you feel bad when this song plays?
12. “Time To Say Goodbye”- Sarah Brightman and Andre Bocelli: Reminder of how much beauty there is in the world.

Shed a Little Light- James Taylor- Same as Anne… This song reminds me of the car ride with Marnie, Anne, Mom and Dad. Dad, of course, was doing his arm movements. Every time I hear this song, I can’t help but to do the movements Dad did.
Santeria- Sublime- Well this song actually reminds me of two things: San Diego in general and Spanish 5/6 class. My friends and I always listened to this song at the bonfires or when we just went to the beach. In Spanish class, we had a unit on songs and we were able to bring in our favorite songs. This girl brought this song in and everybody in the class loved it and I remember tons of people singing to it… I know weird, but I think of that every time I hear it.
See You Soon- Coldplay- The next two songs are two songs from the move to Washington… This one was when I really was missing San Diego and wanted to just go back. I listened to A LOT of Coldplay to help me through it… It always relaxes me!
Don’t Panic- Coldplay- This is another song from the move to Washington. This reminds me of rainy dark mornings when I was heading out for seminary. This song is when I started to love Washington and the beauty there.
Such Great Heights- Postal Service- This reminds me of when I was introduced to Postal Service to my only roommate that I am still great friends with. I love the sound of Postal Service… This song reminds me of my freshman/sophomore year in college.
Since U Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson- This brings back a lot of memories of driving in my roommate’s convertible baby blue beetle around Rexburg in the Summer and singing at the top of our lungs.
To Make You Feel My Love- Garth Brooks- This is our song and Treven sang it to me at our wedding reception. BUT I can never find the Garth Brooks’ version that we love. Anybody have it… let me know!
The Woman in Me- Shania Twain- This always makes me think of how I feel about Treven and how much he does for me on a daily basis.
Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson- This song just reminds me of when Treven and I were engaged… This album came out during that time and we both loved it. It was an essential CD to listen to in the car!
Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap- Brent introduced me to this song in his car one time and I have loved Imogen Heap ever since. Melia also used to fall asleep to this song when she was a baby ALL THE TIME! Now it calms her down in the car.
Single Ladies (Put A Ring on it)- Beyonce- HA! Well Melia LOVES this song and every time it is on she dances in the middle of the room shaking her hand back and forth and says Marnie! Marnie! It is also one of my favorite songs to run to.
Naked As We Came- Iron and Wine- I am just getting into Iron and Wine and love it! I love the sound of their voice and music…. very relaxing and chill. When it is quiet time in the house with the girls, we put this song on first and they love it. It calms them right down.

Okay I know I have 13 and 14 but I had to add these on since they both have affected me.
I Stand All Amazed- Various Artists- This song is just a song that has always strengthened my testimony throughout my life and it shows me the love that the Savior has for us.
Sacrament and Symbols- Various Artists- This song reminds me of Marnie and her friends singing this is sacrament meeting. I felt such a strong spirit when they sang it and it has stuck ever since. I absolutely love it and think of Marnie singing it every time I listen to it.

Let me preface this by saying that I cheated. I have 15 songs. This is not entirely my fault. Mike and I were on the phone as I made my list and he kept coming up with songs that I had to add. Of course once I started listening to said song I couldn't not add it. There is definitely a period in my life where I listened to more music of my choosing. Now it's whatever makes the kids happy or NPR. I am an NPR junkie. I did not include in Erasure or ABBA, which I feel kind of weird about. Thanks Adina, for covering Erasure, that saved me a bit. Okay enough babbling.

Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond. My dad used to blast Neil Diamond from the stereo while we cleaned the house. It reminds me of him, of being a kid, and of listening to it later with Mike.

It Takes Two-Rob Base. My sophomore year of high school. My freshman and sophomore years of high school were some of the happiest, most carefree years of my life. This song was played at assemblies, at games, in my friend Megan's car stereo (I couldn't drive) and reminds me of being young, stupid, and totally happy.

Only You- Yaz. I have loved this song and the album Upstairs at Eric's since I first heard it. I'm pretty sure it was at my friend Megan's house.

Shake the Disease- Depeche Mode. I loved Depeche Mode for so many years. Had a hard time finding a song that was appropriate for the family blog and hence, the reason I don't play too much Depeche Mode these days. Love them though.

Fire and Rain- James Taylor. Ah, we enter the "granola" phase of my life. It had so much to do with the music. I drove my 65 green Mustang, spent way too much time skipping school and wearing birkenstocks and loved every minute of it. James has stood the test of time. I still love him. He's amazing... and funny.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters- Simon and Garfunkle. This reminds me of my friends Mindy, Amy, and Lindsay and the summer after my senior year. Harmonizing as we drove to the lake or river. Oh, also skipping seminary. Can we not show this blog to kids?

Truckin'- Grateful Dead. Loved the Dead for so many years. High school, college, painting the Provo house after we were married. Again, don't listen to them too much anymore. I remember Jane asking me about the lyrics in one of the songs once when she was little and that was the end of that.

SGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band- the Beatles. Always listened to their early stuff with my mom and dad. I bought this tape at Tower Records in Seattle after a UW football game that my brother Adam and I went to together. It was dark and cold and rainy and we had so much fun. One of the few times we got along in high school. I listened to this tape non-stop, I also bought Mamas and the Papas, Soul Cages by Sting, and Simon and Garfunkle that day.

West End Girls- Pet Shop Boys. What I didn't realize until I started going to other stake dances was how great the D.J.(is that how you spell it?) was for our dances and why we always had TONS of people there. Loved Stake Dances until my senior year. Great Dance Music. Love the Pet Shop Boys, still turn them on when I run across the CD.

500 Miles- Proclaimers. This reminds me of going off to Ricks and the summer I met Mike. "Benny and Joon" came out and I saw it 5 times, including a date with Mike. I have very fond memories of this song.

Sweetest Thing- U2. I have loved U2 forever. It is one of the things that brought Mike and I together. U2 is the soundtrack to many of life's great memories.

Harvest Moon- Neil Young. Loved Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Continued on with Mike with Neil Young. Listened to this album all the time in our early married days.

To Make You Feel My Love- Garth Brooks. Have to put a nod out to country music. Garth, the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw. I don't listen to country music when Mike is gone, I bawl. This is one of my very favorite songs, love the version in "Hope Floats."

This Love- Maroon Five. After Ellyn was born my sister Ellynn came to stay with me in Georgia. Her friend Devon had just made her a mix. It was the most awesome mix ever. We still listen to those songs full blast. The girls love them. It reminds me of our trip to Savannah, Krispy Kreme donuts, staying up till 4 am watching 24 season 1 on DVD, our beautiful Georgia springs. It makes me happy.

Fix You- Coldplay. One of the few bands I can say I listen to these days. The Killers as well. Besides that, whatever Mike is listening to that doesn't assault my ears. This is the song that Sawyer would fall asleep to without fail when he was a baby. I would lay him in the middle of my bed and turn this on and he would be out.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes....Disney I chose this song because, coupled with Faith and Prayer, your dreams come true only if you have your whole heart in the desire. Things don't just happen; they come to those who work on making their dreams and wishes come true.
Adagio for Strings....Barber (from Platoon) Reminds me of the time of my life away from my family in a foreign land and the struggle of the comrades with whom I embattled the opposition. The scene from the movie burns hard in my heart as soldier runs and is overcome. Lend a hand to those falling down around you. It doesn't have to be a war; it can be the failing economy.
Scheherazade Op 35 My very first record in my life was this by RCA Victor Records. My Mother and Father bought me 8 albums from the RCA Record Club and a phonograph. I listened to this album hour after hour and still love the music.
Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind....Lovin' Spoonful Mom and I dated other friends when we were separated by going to different schools during our 3 years of dating and courtship. There finally came a time when we both had to make up our minds. And, I'm glad we came to the same conclusion. 14.
In My Life....Beatles Sung by Audrey McKay at our reception at the Balls in Moraga, Ca. on 16 August 1969. A day to remember.
The John Dunbar Theme....John Barry This is so awe inspiring to me..of the movement west and of our time spent on the reservations at Rose Bud and Pine Ridge, South Dakota. I have fond memories of my Lakota friends there.
What a Wonderful Life....Louis Armstrong And, this is what I feel like I have had with my wife, family and friends. It could stop now and I'd feel like I've reached the pinnacle of my joy. I hope there is more.
Shower The People....James Taylor This was Bob Riding's favorite song. I love him like a brother and really believe is the words. He introduced me to this song and I am grateful to him for having done so. I believe it.
Our House In The Middle of The Street....Talking Heads Oh what a great time living on Elenora Drive in Valentine, Nebraska. I see four young boys having the thrill of their lives, climbing over hills and down into valleys. I see Marnie in her Strawberry Shortcake and Blue Dress with White Stars and RED rainboots. And, of course, I see beautiful Anne come into our life at the Cherry County Hospital. Wonderful memories and wonderful friends.
You Are Loved....Josh Groban and don't ever give up. Words I was constantly reminded of by my wonderful Mother. She often sent me bookmarks and plaques with the phrase, "Don't Quit". This song reminds me of her pushing me along my career.
Eternal Father....The US Navy Band and Chorus This song was always played at memorial services for lost aviators. I attended too many of those events and lost two good friends whom I flew many missions with during the VietNam war. Les Parker and Keith Christopherson....with our Eternal Father.
Do You Hear The People Sing....Les Miserables Just an inspiring song of brother and sisterly love and support during very critical times.
I Dreamed A Dream....Les Miserables Just fills me with joy and sadness; that life just doesn't always turn out exactly like we thought it would....hopefully for the better, however.
Slipping Through My Fingers....Meryl Streep I really like Meryl Streep's version of this song. The song itself digs deep into my feelings for my daughters (and my sons) as I have seen them leave home and go onto their own families and careers. We have to let them go some time. You really don't have them living at home for very long out of your and their lives. Make the most of it. Thank goodness we have a lot of family reunions to keep the love flowing.
Dedicated To The One I Love....Mamas and the Papas and it is, 14.
Leaving On A Jet Plane....Peter, Paul and Mary And she did in January, 1969. A short separation with absolute joy at the other end. Hey, she returned. And, made me a happy man.
I Believe In Christ....Bruce R. McConchie I shall always remember watching him give his Conference address in April 1985. One of my most favorite talks of all time.
Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own....Pointer Sisters (from Ain't Misbehavin) my theme for many years. I don't care what they think.
Blessed Assurance....Gladys Knight I love the music by Sister Knight. Inspirational music.

1. Hero – Mariah Carey

This has been my favorite song since I was a kid. I can remember singing it at the top of my lungs in the car with Mom, Dad, Kim and Marnie.

2. The Way You Love Me – Faith Hill

This reminds me of driving in the Expedition with all my friends on our weekends out. I used to sing it at the top of my lungs as well, but in monotone and for some reason we always started cracking up laughing because of it.

3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

This is one of my favorite slow songs as a parent. Especially because the minute you put it on, both Andrew and Beck quiet down and eventually fall asleep. It is played A LOT on road trips.

4. Forever and For Always – Shania Twain

This is Peter and my song and has been our phrase like Mom and Dad’s 14.

5. Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) – Dixie Chicks

This is one of my new favorite old songs that is the best lullaby for a little boy. I sing it to Andrew and Beck a lot.

6. Shed A Little Light – James Taylor

This song always reminds me of Dad and his little movements to it. I think of that every time I hear it.

7. Yellow – Coldplay

Being my favorite color, I jumped on this CD when it first came out. I think that was the point of which I started liking Coldplay.

8. Dreaming with a Broken Heart – John Mayer

I just like the song altogether. And it makes me think of Twilight in my own little way.

9. Waterfall – Jon Schmidt

This is one of the most awesome piano songs. I wish I could play like this. I put this on and it makes me instantly relax.

10. All We Ever Find – Tim McGraw

I think that this song is how a relationship should be. It makes me love to be married.

11. Cowboy Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks

This is such a fun song to sing to. I can remember going with Marnie and the Gills to this concert. It was such a blast.

12. Wide Open Spaces – Dixie Chicks

Another Dixie Chick song but this song reminds me of my first year of college. I used to listen to a lot of music on my drives home from school and this was one I would listen to and sing to a lot. I think at that time I needed space to put my feelers out and find myself.

1. "Straw Man" by David Berkeley - "A fantastic vocalist I discovered on the NPR show "This American Life". He was part of a plan gone awry in the episode "Going Big". The song that plays using the playlist below is not the right song (it is actually Fire Sign) but shows a sample of his style."

2. "Dark Angel" by Electronic - "Great track for a run. For those that do not know, Electronic is New Order's lead vocalist (Bernard Sumner) and The Smith's guitarist (Johnny Marr) and obviously some other people:-)"

3. "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel - "One of my favorites from my youth. Makes me think of summers hanging out with Brian. Great memories at Kay-Kay and Wa-Wa's"

4. "Gasoline" by Audioslave - "Best driving song, evah! I want to make a car commercial with this song. It could save the U.S. auto industry!"

5. "15 Step" by Radiohead - "Despite my enormous disappointment that this song plays during the credits of that stupid vampire love movie (actually I think it may have been the best part of the movie), this is a solid example of Radiohead's musical genius. Must be listened to with good speakers or headphones or you just will not get it"

6. "Red Barchetta" by Rush - "On the first album I ever owned. Mom took me up to the store near 155th and Aurora to buy it (which was amazing since as the guinea pig, evil rock and roll was not permitted in the house...it is true). I still remember picking it out vividly; I think it was Pay 'N Save? Along with fantastic lyrics, the composition clearly evokes roaring engines, quick shifting, and spinning tires. You can close your eyes and easily imagine the backcountry race that it narrates"

7. "Heartland" by U2 - " How do I pick one U2 song? I chose this one because it was written as U2 was discovering America in the late 80s. It captures the romantic view of this great country."

8. "Fast Car" by Tracey Chapman - "Probably my favorite song. A bleak but realistic view of American life. A classic 80s tune which now finds itself in the American literary canon"

9. "The Dance" by Garth Brooks- "Yes, a seemingly cheesy country song. But, it is a pretty deep view of life. We should enjoy life for what it gives us and not worry so much."

10. "In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3" by Coheed and Cambria - "My new favorite band? Possibly. How can I not include a song with power chords and lyrics like "Man your battlestations"? Epic rock anthem with a sci-fi thing going for it. Love it!"

11. "Corduroy" by Pearl Jam - "My favorite song from this band. I got to hear it live in SLC when they toured for this album."

12. "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor - "Do I really need to comment on this? Enough said."

Amsterdam/ Colplay - Reminds me of seeing them in concert in Cox Arena. Really when I started loving Coldplay.

Now we are Free/ Gladiator - Favorite song from Favorite movie.

Mr. Brightside/ the Killers - Great Band and first song the made me aware of them.

Let Go/ Frou Frou - Imogen Heap is a musical icon. Just look at who see have helped.

Counting Stars/ Hum - One of my good memories of the Y days.

I can't explain/ The Who - This is my favorite classic rock band. Keith Moon is the best drummer ever.

The Luckiest/ Ben Folds Five - Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. So sweet. I love Buffy.

Grey Street/ Dave Matthews Band - Best concert ever. The Gorge with Dave, Adina, Brian, Paige, and Buffy. Oh yeah, and a bunch on camping potheads.

Nothingman/ Pearl Jam - Great bands can make both fast and slow songs sound fantastic.

From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea/ The Cure - I remember listening to this song on my drives to Sea World - Remember those Dad??

One/ Metallica - This song is just a masterpiece. No more needs to be said.

Krwling/ Linkin Park - I think this is the most diverse band in the new century. They suprise me with every new thing they put out. Plus nice guys.

My friends and I came up with a fun idea for a blog and I think you all might enjoy doing it as well. So here's the challenge - make your own celebrity playlist! Compile a list of 12 songs. They can be your favorite songs, songs that mean something in particular to you, whatever you like. Post the title and artist of each song along with a short quote about what this song means to you. You can use www.playlist.com or www.youtube.com to put together links to the songs so we can all listen to them if you can figure that out. Also, at the top of your post I'd like to see a picture of you in your most celebrity-like pose and the title of the blog should be "{Insert your name here}'s Celebrity Playlist"

If you have any questions about what this should look like, go to the iTunes Music Store and look at some of the other celebrity playlists. And finally, have fun with it but seriously, this is your celebrity playlist...choose wisely. ;)

Here's my playlist...

Marnie's Celebrity Playlist

1. "I Don't Know What It Is" by Rufus Wainwright - "The first five seconds of this song feel like a breath of fresh air. This is the song that made me fall in love with Rufus. Thanks for the tip, Bob."