An Evening With Il Divo

To finish off celebrating our 15th Anniversary, Jared and I went to see Il Divo last night in Kansas City. It was an amazing! The stage was set up so they had long walkways down each side and a small center stage right in the middle of the floor seats. We were on the lower level of the side which was an excellent seat with this set up. The lighting was also incredible with this massive fiber optic chandelier that descended from the ceiling as they first started to sing. Video images along the back drop were very cool with also projected images on scrim panels throughout the stage. The group is dressed by Armani -- and let's just say these guys are not bad looking either. So, it was amazing just to look at, but then they start to sing and you are truly having a multi-sensory experience. If you have not listened to them before, they are 3 classical singers and 1 pop singer that were put together by Simon Cowell about 5 years ago. They sing popular songs in a classical style like you've never heard before. Seeing them live blew me away. They are from Switzerland, France, Spain and the U.S. They each have beautiful voices alone, then to combine them is another level. I truly enjoyed this concert, one I will always remember.

Fourth of July

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Michael

Growing up in the eighties, Michael Jackson (along with Madonna) was one of the first pop artists that I really loved. I remember borrowing "Off The Wall" (on cassette) from my friend and buying "Thriller" when it first came out. I remember hurrying home from school to watch the videos of Billie Jean, Thriller, and Bad on Mtv (I was sooooo happy to have cable tv solely for the Michael Jackson videos!) I sat there in awe of how he moved those feet! I remember calling up to the radio station and requesting ANY Michael Jackson song! I even liked those funny songs and videos he did with Paul McCartney. I just showed my two girls the video of "We Are the World," an amazing collaborative effort with tons of stars working together in a single night to produce a song that would help so many children and families in Africa. As I watched the memorial service today I was reminded that he was truly a humanitarian as well as a pop icon. For me, he defined a decade.

Celtic Woman

Last night Jared and I drove to Kansas City for a fun date night. I got an unbelievable last minute deal on half price tickets to see Celtic Woman at the Sprint Center. It was amazing! We had floor seats on the 7th row center section. We got to Kansas City about 5 or so, so we parked and looked around the adjacent Power and Light District. You need to check this place out! It has tons of restaurants, a movie theatre, 2 other theatres and an outdoor stage. There is a "upscale-retro" bowling alley and lounge called Lucky Strikes and even a kids area. We decided to eat at Ted's Montana Grill (great steak, chicken, and bison--did not try the bison by the way!) As we were seated I saw that the girl sitting at the next table was actually the violinist/fiddler from Celtic Woman!!! Seriously, there she was just finishing her meal with one of the band members. Crazy! You would think they would just cater in or something. After we ate dinner, there was an art show going on, so we walked around for a bit looking at the different works. Then I had to have some frozen yogurt from a place called Yummo (and it was!) It was a little self serve joint and you got a cup for $2. Great. We went over and picked up our tickets at will call and went in for the show. This tour is called Isle of Hope. It was so beautiful and so were all of them! There was hardly any talking in the whole show and none at all in the first half. So you really got your money's worth on the music. They did all their usual well known songs that they do, and then they had some new one relating to the theme of "Isle of Hope" about immigrants coming to Ellis Island, one was incredibly moving about a 15 year old girl coming over from Ireland. Also a new one called O, America. They also did their versions of contemporary songs like "Field of Gold" by Sting, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper/Phil Collins, You'll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins, "There Can Be Miracles" by Mariah Carey and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" I love their version of You Raise Me Up. My favorite was the 1st encore, "Spanish Lady". If you haven't seen them, check out one of their dvds or watch for them on pbs. They are also going to be on Good Morning America Tuesday, June 30th at 8AM.

The girl's first day at grandma's and this is what I get when I open up my e-mail. What is going on there anyway?

Hotel Grand-Ma

Yesterday my mom and dad met us in Springfield to pick up their darling grandchildren. They are staying with them until the 4th. Now I am here in my own personal fortress of solitude. Until Jared gets home! Thanks grandma and grandpa! Have fun Madison and Gabrielle!

Brace Yourself

Here is Madison fresh from the orthodontist. She chose the lilac and rose colored bands. She came home with a goodie bag chock full of flossers, wax, t-shirt, and lots of macaroni and cheese. I thought that was hilarious. She got along just fine today. The real pain will probably kick in tomorrow. She was so excited to finally get her braces!