End of Summer Blues?

We are almost at the end of summer, and it's been a good one! Trips to the zoo, playing tennis, meeting new friends, making music, parties - on and on! And now it's Labor Day week-end, where everyone scrambles to get in those last minute trips and cling to the last days of sunshine and freedom. But I have to admit, I'm not all that sad to see it go. Because this week-end marks the beginning of.....COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! Oh yes oh yes. That magical time of year. We are gearing up around here...tonight is the first BYU game - they take on Northern Iowa right here in River City! (by that I mean Provo, for those of you not familiar with old musicals) The boys will be going down to see the game at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That's nice and all, but what really matters is that the University of Tennessee Volunteers will be kicking off their own winning season Monday against UCLA!!! Go VOLS!!! I know that Lonny will be trying to brainwash Connor into thinking he is a Cougar kind of guy, but I did get the first strike in when Con was a baby:




Yeah, I'm that kind of mom. And as Connor has YET, at the ripe old age of 2, to wear any Cougar Blue, I think I got him!!! Score one for the Fausts!!!

Regardless of who Connor roots for, we have a great time in the fall. It is our very favorite season. Our 7th anniversary is just around the corner, I am already thinking about Halloween costumes, Lance will be graduating from the FBI academy, Thanksgiving is just about my favorite holiday....which is of course, because it involves....FOOTBALL!!! (I like the pros too! Love the 9ers, Chiefs and Titans, Lonny is a Cowboys man all the way, but we really love to watch no matter who is playing) Enjoy the last lazy, hazy days of summer. Have a great week-end, and don't forget to tune into ESPN on Monday and cheer on the Vols! Oh, and I guess it's okay if you want to watch BYU or the U, too!

An Olympic Sized Birthday

Aren't the Olympics great? We all have been enjoying them so much...We especially love the swimming and the tennis (hard to imagine, I know). Because the Olympic planning people are
so thoughtful, they threw the opening ceremonies the night of Grandpa Pehrson's birthday. So we headed down to Woodland Hills to enjoy a cook-out, watch the festivities and celebrate with a big sleep over! Happy Birthday Lynn and thanks for all you do for us!!! We love you!!!

Connor had such a great time and loves his grandpa soooo much! Here he is attempting to medal in the great Olympic sport of corn-on the-cob eating. Go Connor! Go Team USA!!!

Music Music Music!

Just wanted to drop a little update...not much going on at home, we are just enjoying the summer! Connor is talking up a storm and loves being outside. Thomas the Tank Engine still reigns supreme, but lately he has really chummed up to his stuffed monkey, Mick (I named him...he rather resembles Mick Jagger to me). They are real pals and hang out together a lot. Connor has discovered string cheese and will ask for it by saying "CHEEEEEESE!" like he's having his picture taken.

Lonny has been playing some tennis, finally, and he is so grateful! He has a regular match every Monday and plays whenever he can. Wish I could say the same....

But on the mommy front, I have been doing tons of music lately! And I am having a blast. Both groups are working towards new directions, so I have been enjoying learning a ton of new music. It is a great reminder of how many truly talented artists we have had in our lifetime - some of whom I get to work with - and how many genres of great music there are. I am having the privilege of learning some newer songs (Foo Fighters, KT Tunstall) but really loving the chance to get reacquainted with some of what I consider the classics. It never ceases to amaze me how relevant they still are (I am thinking Mavin Gaye's "What's Going On"), how they still make you move while making you think (Stevie Wonder's "Livin' For the City" and WOW you should hear Jonny Lange's version) and how much fun they are to sing (anything by Aretha)! It has been an awesome journey where along the way I have had so much ear candy thrown my way ("I Don't Need No Doctor" by John Mayer and John Scofield, and Mayer's version of "Free Falling" that you can hear below; Stevie Nicks and her exquisite cover of Dave Matthews' "Crash") Holy Cow! I could name names and go on all day!! And the journey's not even close to being over......

I have also had the pleasure of working on some originals with Mike and Elaine... this is such an amazing process that has involved many "Wow" moments along with hysterical laughter. Life is good, but it's sure better with music!!

Whatever you are doing, wherever you are going, make sure you make music a part of it. You will be better for it. And get ready, because as we start playing more, I am going to be throwing some great stuff your way!