Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

Happy 30 (something) to my wonderful, babe! I could not have a better companion. Lindsay is a wonderful mother, a very patient and forgiving wife, and cares about all those she comes in contact with. The Lord truly blessed me with her. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with her. This morning she had some of her favorites for breakfast (grapefruit, sausage, german pancakes, and aebleskivers with buttermilk syrup), this afternoon she is going to lunch with her sweet mom, and tonight we are hitting our favorite restaurant, P712. A very fattening birthday!!

Barcelona!

I kind of wish I was talking about Lindsay and I going to Barcelona on a vacation, but that is not the case. Last night we saw the indie band Barcelona at The Depot in Salt Lake. We didn't know we would have to endure four other bands before we got to them, but it was worth the wait! They were awesome live and I'm glad we got the chance to see them. Definitely my favorite music lately.

Disneyland 2011

We just returned from our annual Disneyland trip! We had a good time with great weather. Crowds were a bit more than last year, but we managed. The boys fought a bit more than normal, but we managed (tried to at least). Mom and Dad Rad came along this year and we had a great time with them.

Kam was NOT excited about riding the Carousel.

The family on Main Street U.S.A.

Max taking a break.

Kam ringing the bell for Club 33. We rang this by mistake last year and a cast member let us in to see the lobby. It was awesome!

Big Thunder Railroad! Our favorite ride, especially at night.

Adam, the Mad Hatter, and Brynn hanging out at the Hub.

Brynn was so cute this year! She is into "Sleeping Beauty" and "Little Mermaid" so she was really excited to see the castle.

Congratulations, Adam!

Our Adam got baptized on Saturday and it was a great day! Way to go, Adam!

Brynn the Climber

Lately Brynn has been waking from her naps and climbing out of her crib. She will exit her room, stroll down the hall, and tell Lindsay, "Mommy, I took a good nap!" Today we took the front off her crib so that she doesn't fall and trap her leg. We need to get a bed soon.

Parent Teacher Conferences

I have parent teacher conferences for the next two days. It's always a great and dreadful time. I enjoy meeting with parents and letting them know a side of their child that they may not see as much at home, but it is also a wake-up call for many of them.

Any parents who read this--please be involved in your child's education! Especially at home. Study with them, read with them. Help them understand the concepts that will make them successful learners, because they do not get enough one-on-one at school. It is the work done at home that will make the difference. There are great teachers out there who really try their hardest, but with the parents working with their kids at home, the chance of success is so much better.

Seriously?

How can Christopher Nolan have been left off the "Best Director" nominees for the Academy Awards? I mean, seriously? How hard is it to film a bunch of actors stammering in a room (Tom Hooper). But try and pull off what Nolan did with Inception? Only he could create something like that. Seriously...

Favorite Zombie Flicks

Sadly, the reason I wanted to start a blog back in December was so that I could make a list of my favorite zombie movies. I had just finished watching a zombie movie I had on my DVR since October and wanted to share with others how much I love this genre. I am no zombie expert--there are many films I have not seen, but the whole idea of zombie lore just fascinates me. SO here are my top five films, plus a couple of honorable mentions.

Number 5

This was the movie that hooked me into this genre--and it's the remake, not the original. I know, I'm a late bloomer. The movie has since lost it's scare factor on me, but the first time I saw it, I couldn't get the image of the little girl running down the hallway at the beginning of the film out of my head. Kept me awake for days.

Number 4

I have been a fan of British humor since the days of Monty Python on late night MTV. Add zombies to that and you have gold. Love this film!

Number 3

I didn't see this movie until just last year. I avoided it forever because I knew it would scare the life out of me--and it did. I get scared easily, but I do love the sensation. This film, again, shows the range of Danny Boyle (director) who I am a big fan of. One of the best things about this movie is the music. Love it.

Number 2

This made-for-British TV movie called "Dead Set" was the film I saw this past November. Not for the squeamish, but just really great.

And finally, Number 1

This film makes enduring a zombie apocalypse actually look fun. Woody Harrelson is so great and the surprise cameo toward the end is priceless. I am holding my breath for a sequel. If you have not seen this film, you must! It is almost perfect from the opening frame to the end.

Honorable Mentions

I Am Legend-Many do not consider this a zombie film. Maybe it's not. But the "last man on the Earth" vibe is done so well here. Will Smith's best movie.

Quarantine-This movie is one of the scariest I have ever seen. I had to close my eyes through the last 20 minutes.

28 Weeks Later-Not as good as the first, but still great.

"The Walking Dead" TV series on AMC. Great characters!

And I have to give a shout to my cousin Kurt Brian who has written an amazing zombie script called "Friday Night Bites." I hope this can be made into a film someday. It is funny, scary, and really well done. Plus he can cast me as one of the main characters...

Happy Birthday, Adam!

Our little man has turned 8! We can't believe it. He had a friend party this year and took a few kids to Jump On It. We had a good time. Just a few more years away from the priesthood.

Wow! This is a very addictive game.

One of Adam's presents from a friend. Brynn can't decide if she wants to be a princess or a warrior.

Space Exploration

I am teaching my 6th graders about space exploration right now. There are certain units during the school year that I get really excited about and this is one of them! I love how much we learn about space each year. I am pro Pluto being a dwarf-planet. I think it is fascinating that we continue to change what we thought we knew. These are a few of my favorite photos.

Actual photo of Saturn taken by the Cassini probe. I learned just this week that the reason for the large space in the middle of Saturn's rings is because of a couple of moons that orbit in that path! So cool.

Victoria Crater on Mars. The rover Opportunity has taken a photo from its edge. Look closely and you may see it.

Jani shared this one with me recently. Apparently sky divers will plan drops at the same time shuttles will launch. You can see a shuttle off in the distance. Awesome!!

Blah

Nothing to write about right now, but wanted to keep posts coming. Will think of something random soon.

Remembering 2010

Here are the major 2010 events of the Rad family:

Disneyland in February. Our favorite trip yet! Relaxed, great crowds. kids got along--almost perfection.

Dinner with Jani and Jim Lovell, the captain of Apollo 13.

Saying goodbye to just about the best class I have ever taught!

Selling the scooter. That was a hard one for me and the boys.

Directing "Cinderella" at the Hale. I think it was our best show yet.

Holly and Justin getting sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. The best part of the year!

Lake Powell in August. We have not been in years (it was the kids first ever trip). Awesome campsite, great water, somewhat crappy weather and the worst wind storm the Lake has seen in 7 years. Almost dying was the highlight of the trip.

Fall break at the Marriott in Park City. We loved our hotel room.

Getting and consequently getting rid of our first dog, Spook. We love him, but felt it was just too much for our family.

The boys first dirt bike! Wish we had more money to frivolously get more things like this (especially one for Daddy), but we'll just have to save and see.

Here's hoping for more great adventures in 2011!