We're Phelps Phans

What can I say about the guy? Um...he's freakin' amazing! Duane and I have really enjoyed watching him swim his way into the history books. Eight Gold Metals! GO PHELPS!

My review of Breaking Dawn

*Warning, the following review contains 'Breaking Dawn' spoilers*

I wanted to love this book; to read it over and over until my head exploded. I tried to love it, even after page 360, and my complete disappointment of Jacob imprinting – on Bella’s mutant baby, no less. But I kept reading because I just knew that Stephenie was going to make it up to me.

The more I read, the more difficult it became for me to finish. I am ashamed to say I endured the torture ‘til the bitter end – and oh was it bitter or rather so sickeningly sweet it caused me to throw up in my mouth a little. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about happy endings but not at the expense of a good plot.

Breaking Dawn could have been an amazing ending to a pretty good series. To say I am disappointed with this book doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. In all honesty, this book ruined the entire series for me. I no longer have the desire to pick up any of the other books – which, I used to love. There is no way I could read them again now that I know the ending is so redonculous (rE-D'on-kU-lus; Adjective, used when the word ridiculous just isn't enough).

This book started off okay, with Bella angsting about having to drive a flashy car and getting married at such a young age – Classic Bella, am I right? But after the wedding and even the majority of the honeymoon, things went downhill. Bella, pregnant? Really? But, I was willing to forgive that particular plot twist even though it defied Mrs. Meyers canon about vampires. And she never said it wasn’t possible for a human to get pregnant after having sex with a vampire, so I simply shrugged my shoulders went with it.

I’ll admit that I liked the Jacob chapters, despite the fact that Edward offers Bella to Jacob so long as Jacob can convince Bella to abort the abomination that they’ve created with Edwards magical vampire sperm. Edward was watching his 'true love' die and it was torturing him, so of course he lost touch with reality - Totally understandable (although completely icky as well) so I hand-waved that; forgave it. I started getting aggravated when Bella was totally drawing Jacob back in (unbeknownst to us, the readers, it’s only because she’s pregnant with his future bride. More about that atrocity later) and setting him up for more heartbreak. Classic selfish Bella that we love to hate.

I really hoped that Jacob would find the ability to move past his love of Bella on his own. I don’t know about anyone else but I am getting sick of the ‘I-cannot-live-without-you’ kind of “love” (more like freaky obsession) that has been going on in these novels. It is possible to heal from a broken heart and actually MOVE ON and even fall in love again.

It seemed as though Stephenie was going to have that happen, that Leah and Jacob might deepen their friendship and discover that they actually care for each other. But no, that would erase Jacob from Bella’s life and we couldn’t have that. No. Jacob gets to imprint on the abomination that is Renesmee. Lucky him! Now Jacob doesn’t actually have to work to heal his broken heart. Oh and of course, lucky Bella for being able to keep Jacob in her life forever (I hate you, Bella Swan-Cullen).

Now on to the delivery of Renesmee. WOW, talk about a joyous occasion. What with Bella vomiting a 'fountain of blood'; the breaking of bones (Bella's back was snapped); the c-section preformed with Edwards mouth (yes, I just said MOUTH); little Renesmee sucking mama’s blood and mama flat lining after all was said and done, it’s too bad they didn’t get the whole thing on film.

Renesmee, hmmm…where to start? I’m not even going to touch the subject of her name with a ten-foot-pole. I’m just going to say that the way she’s described in the novel, sounds more like the 'Bride of Chucky' instead of some super cute baby. All the rapid growing, blood drinking and mind-melding was in no way endearing, it was weird.

Considering that the romance was non-existant in the last 3/4 of this novel, it totally lacked in cute Bella and Edward moments. All we got was kinky, tantric, vampire sex that had the potential to go for days or even weeks (yes, Bella actually thinks about that being a possibility). YIKES AND...JUST YIKES!

Isn't it just super great that Bella gets to keep Charlie in her life? It proves that you really can have your (blood) cake and eat it too. I love that the sheriff in town doesn't even want to know anything about the vampires in town, unless it is entirely necessary. Apparently ignorance really is bliss.

Oh and I loved how Renee, Bella's mom, just disappeared into obscurity. She didn't even call when Bella was supposedly in lockdown with some deadly Brazilian disease. Seriously though, when did Renee go from being the overbearing mother who would FREAK OUT about not hearing from Bella every day, to one that could care less what the crap happened to her?

The epic battle was more like an epic failure. The whole book was building up to the fight in the woods and then nothing happened. Talk about anti-climatic. I found that I was just as disappointed as the Romanian vampires were. The only casualty was Irina and it's not like she was important enough to be broken up over.

Despite the fact that I am a huge Jacob fan, I would have been okay with him dying to protect the little monster he'd imprinted on. I mean, JK Rowling killed DUMBLEDORE, for crying out loud. Stephenie could have killed just ONE of her precious characters. By doing so, she would have been able to breathe some life into this flaming pile of garbage.

And It seemed to me that by avoiding a fight the Cullens just woke a sleeping giant. Based on the conversation they were having after the "battle", it seems to me that they knew the Volturi were going to come back and attempt pick them off one-by-one. Wow talk about a victory! But why worry when Bella has mad vampire skillz? Am I right?

Worst line from this book: "Goodbye, Jacob, my brother... my son." *shutter* *cringe* *shutter*

The last few pages when Bella lifted her "shield" for Edward, so he could read her mind, wasn't all that bad. I liked that part, to tell you the truth. I also liked learning more about Leah Clearwater (in the Jacob chapters). In all honesty, it was the rest of the book that was horrendous.

TWO ENTHUSIASTIC THUMBS WAY DOWN!

(Edited on Sunday August 17, 2008)

Olympics opening ceremony

Anyone that didn't see it the the olympic opening ceremony totally missed out. It was AMAZING! I've never seen anything like it and I've watched every single Olympic opening ceremony since I was 5 (1984 - Los Angeles).

Duane and I let the girls stay up late so they could watch the opening ceremony with us. We also ate chinese food while we watched. It was really fun. I know the girls really enjoyed staying up extra late with us (even if they really didn't know exactly what we were watching).

Martial arts dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Lighted dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

An artist performs, suspended by wires during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Performers cheer during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fireworks light the sky over the National Aquatics Center (L) and the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

The Olympic rings are illuminated during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Artists perform around an illuminated Globe during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Percussionists with their Fou drums stand prior to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Jewel Samad)

Percussionists hit their Fou drums at the start of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Joe Klamar )

Percussionists take part in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", on August 8, 2008. The three-hour show at Beijing's iconic national stadium was set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its rise as a modern power. (AFP PHOTO / Olivier Morin)

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 8 in Beijing. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

An artist in a space suit performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Not exactly 'The Dark Knight'

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Just for fun!

The other day Ariel reminded me of cute youtube video of two little boys named Charlie and Harry starring in 'Charlie bit me - again!'. I let Mayah and Malia see it and now it's one of their favorite youtube videos (In order to hear the following videos, mute the music player on my page).



Mayah and Malia also really enjoy 'Charlie the Unicorn'. You have no idea how much we hear 'Chaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrlie' around our house.



Duane discovered this next one and showed it to the girls about a year ago. It has been their favorite ever since. It features Elmo and Andrea Bocelli. It is too adorable for words. Just watch and you will see what I mean.