Gregory Alan Isakov and his "Suitcase Full of Sparks"

Apparently some of our favorite musicians favor the Sinclair: Pomplamoose, Brooke Fraser, and now Gregory Alan Isakov.

We first saw him play at Newport Folk Festival, and it was just the kind of music you want while sitting under a giant tent, rain tapping along and thunder rumbling with the base line. Although the Sinclair is a much different space, they didn't disappoint. Old suitcases, a glowing globe, and a cozy rug set the vibe. He introduced his band as his best friends, and you could feel their easy camaraderie. Imagine sitting around a campfire in the Rocky Mountains, cuddled under a blanket, with your favorite people in the circle around you, and you're almost at the show.



Our favorite is "Suitcase Full of Sparks," which Ian sang at Fox and Sara's wedding (Ian tweaked the lyrics slightly so the details reflected their relationship and the wedding). And it gets me. every. single. time.



(Also, "Stable Song" and "Amsterdam," because.)

I'd say more, but the Boston Globe says it better. Meanwhile, I'll be listening to "Suitcase Full of Sparks" on repeat...

Grandma Marilyn: queen for a day

Back in February, on flights that were thankfully between snowstorms, we headed back to Kansas for Grandma Marilyn's big 85th birthday celebration. Our early morning flight landed in Wichita just before lunch. We stopped briefly for tacos before driving our rental car halfway across the state to the land of Gunsmoke. The next two days were a flurry of food, family time, decorating (like her last big birthday bash, it involved a lot of purple), and celebration.

We had so much fun hearing more stories about Grandma Marilyn. Her younger sister Paula let everyone know that Marilyn still owed her a Fudgcicle, promised as a reward for not telling their parents that Marilyn left Paula alone at home to hang out with friends (the original Fudgcicle was eaten by one of said friends). One of Grandma's school friends told a story about a prank Marilyn pulled on another classmate, her identity betrayed by the fact that the package (which contained "flopper stoppers") was sealed with tape, an item only Marilyn's newspaper-printing dad could procure during WWII shortages. To this day, you can pick out Grandma Marilyn's cards in the mail just by the amount of Scotch tape used to seal the envelope.

Too soon, the festivities were over, but the adventure of getting everyone home was just beginning. Ren and Emily had flown in from Denver, but their puddle-jumper flight was cancelled due to impending weather. Instead, we drove them halfway home, where they were picked up by Emily's dad. I got a quick visit with my parents thanks to the drive (hi, Mom!), but the ride back that evening would have been terrifying if it wasn't for four-wheel drive and Dane's expert driving skills.

The storm was better by the next morning, so we ventured out to drive back to Wichita for our flight. Kansas snowstorms are much different than Boston ones. There's less snow, but that snow blows for miles so it doesn't take much to make travel difficult.

Ian got us safely all the way back to Wichita, only for us to get (barely) rear-ended by a high schooler just a mile from the airport. The snow packed on the bumper came in handy as damage protection.



Grandma Marilyn, thanks for letting us help you celebrate. We're already looking forward to seeing you again! #loveya

See (a few) more photos from the weekend on Flickr.

Brooke Fraser, Brutal Romantic

For Valentine's Day, Ian nabbed us tickets to see Brooke Fraser at the Sinclair. We've always been captivated by her incredible voice and songwriting, and love her latest album, Brutal Romantic. The week's snowstorm threatened to cancel our plans, but thankfully held off until the wee hours of the morning. (Giant flakes began to fall as we walked up to our front door around midnight.)



She was funny and down to earth. Her voice was pitch perfect. And we love the new techno vibe to her music, as she continues to evolve and explore her craft. In addition to songs from Brutal Romantic, she also played some of her old favorites, like "C. S. Lewis Song," remixed to her current style. She said, since the songs were now over a decade old, it was rather like teenagers getting tattoos and piercings. I like her similes.

The show was amazing, and the perfect Valentine's Day respite from the crazy snow. And the next time Brooke Fraser comes to Boston, we'll be there.

Marathon Monday 2015

Marathon Monday snuck up on us this year. Probably because of all the snow. But a record-breaking winter and a cold, rainy race day can't stop Boston. I still feel so many emotions when I think about the marathon, but joy and pride definitely win out. Marathon Monday is Boston at it's best. And whether Ian and I are watching in person or tracking our friends online from the office, we're always cheering. We run together. #BostonStrong

Congratulations to everyone who has already crossed the finish line, and good luck to everyone still on the course. (Go Erin! Go Lynne! Go Stevie!)

See posts and photos from our past Marathon Mondays. 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 (and reflections on Marathon Monday 2013 one day later and one year later)

Anna + Ian in the DR 2015

It is hard to believe that Ian and I are preparing for our fifth week-long service trip to the Dominican Republic! Since 2007 our church, REUNION, has partnered with Pastor Luis Vargas and his family, and each summer sends a team to work alongside them. We are so happy to be a part of this partnership and to lead the 2015 trip taking place July 28-August 4. The Vargas family's joy and hope is infectious, and it draws us back year after year.

Luis Vargas, photo by Erin Glabets

Luis and his family serve in La Mosca, a squatter community next to a trash dump. Many families survive on less than two dollars a day, and for many, picking trash is their main source of income. The community is plagued by disease, addiction, crime, illiteracy, and malnutrition.

Because of REUNION's partnership, Luis is able to serve food to 100+ hungry kids six days a week, provide medical care, and seek out and meet the needs of those in his community. Every summer, the REUNION trip provides extra hands and encouragement to continue that mission.



In 2014, we painted houses in La Mosca, tangibly showing the community that the church wants to meet their needs. Our team ran the annual medical clinic, and saw the health of the community continue it's slow and steady improvement. We hosted a field day, playing games under the hot Dominican sun in a muddy field littered with trash, attempting to control the chaos and provide love to the kids who so desperately need to feel safe and valued. It is exhilarating, exhausting, heartbreaking, and joyful work.



We are excited to return this summer to serve and spend time with Luis and the community we have grown to love over the past four years. But we can't do this trip alone. We would love to have your support as we head back to the DR.

• You can sponsor us financially — together we need $4,000 by June 8 to cover airfare, room and board, transportation, and supplies for the medical clinic and construction work. Online giving is fast and easy. If you prefer to give via check or your bank's online bill pay, visit www.reunioninthedr.com for more details. Either way, your donation is tax-deductible! Once our trip cost is funded (hey, we can dream big!), additional donations will go toward other trip costs and to support the Vargas family's ongoing work in La Mosca.
• You can donate medical supplies. Let us know before procuring the supplies, so we can coordinate with the medical clinic leader. We also are happy to accept toys and/or warm weather clothes (as much as we can squeeze into our luggage after medical supplies are packed). 

For more information about the trip and our partnership, along with the latest updates from the Vargas family, please visit www.reunioninthedr.com. You can also check out stories, photos, and videos from our past trips here on the blog.

Dios te bendiga!