SXSW 2011

Some music is fun to listen to.
Then there's the music that moves your soul and provides the sountrack to your life.

Music is important to our family. We find great joy and comfort in inspired lyrics and melodies.

Our family has a roster of bands that provide our soundrack. But there's one, in particular, that comforts and brings joy. Whether we're on a journey up and down the central coast of California, exploring the great Sequoias or just enjoying an afternoon at home it's almost certain that we're listening to the Great Lake Swimmers.

We we're so excited to learn that Great Lake Swimmers were playing SXSW this year. And even better that they would be playing at midnight at the Central Presbyterian Church downtown Austin (how romantic).

We left the babies to spend the night with Gigi and headed out for a special night.  Sophia and Nathan especially love the Great Lake Swimmers (they were most excited).

I don't remember the last time I was up and headed out this late.

SXSW is CRAZY!!! The streets of Austin were flooded with characters from all over. We drove with our windows down and you could literally hear music on every corner.

The gals at the door didn't charge us for the kiddos (how great is that?).
We were super excited to find Tony Dekker selling merchandise.
Nathan about died of embarrassment when I asked Tony if we could take his picture with the kids.
He was so kind.

Check out Nathan's face!


We got there just in time to see Jukebox the Ghost. They are incredible live.

 The inside of the church was beautiful. It was quiet and the accoustics were so good. 
Great Lake Swimmer's set was magical. When they played Moving Pictures, Silent Film I lost it...completly. Like, I was crying (sobbing) like a baby.
The music and lyrics are perfection.

Do you ever have those experiences that you feel were created just for you.
Whether it's true, or not, I felt like this experience was created for us.
It was moving. It was perfect. It was magic.

We love taking our kids with us to enjoy life. It makes a great experience even greater to know we're fostering a love for music in them.

This summer we'll be taking them to see Fleet Foxes, Midlake and Band of Horses. Can't Wait!

But I can't imagine another experience quite like this.

Living the Real Simple Life

Figuring our girls needed protection from the wild, chicken-eating Texas animals, we picked up a ROOSTER at the feed store.

We've named him Reggie. 

Reggie is a peculiar guy.  Awfully gentle and kind.  So kind that his fellow roosters, at his last house, ruffed him up.

But Reggie is safe with us.  He now spends his days "protecting" his chicks and enjoying the affection of a certain toddler.

Having chickens is just the start. 
You see, we Foys dream of being self-sufficient. Like, truly self-sufficient. 
I long for days spent in the garden bringing forth that day's meal. 
I want a simple life, void of packages, plastic and cardboard. 
I know it won't happen over night. We're still learning how to do things (remember we're just city kids with country hearts).

This video clip kills me.  This is how we wanna live. This is what I want to do all day, everyday (seriously).