VIP Jazz Tickets

I’m gonna be honest here..I had, quite possibly, the best night of my entire life. It probably doesn’t take the place of my engagement/ wedding nights, becoming a mother for the first time, the moment I met Sean Astin (kidding, sort of)…but it was right up there, people.

Last night my dreamy husband got us Row 1 tickets to the Jazz game, compliments of Trapnell Orthodontists.  The evening commenced with VIP dining in the underground part of the Melta Center. I could hardly contain myself…I mean who actually gets to do this sort of thing?

Dinner consisted of chicken marsala, rice, vegetables, clam chowder, salad, fruits, rolls, and chocolate caramel cake. The food was mediocre, but I saw an old professor I once had a crush on, so all in all, a lovely time.

Next, we got to our seats. Like I said, we were Row 1, but there’s actually Rows A, B, and C in front of us (reserved for wives and other E.V.I.P.’s (extra very important people).

Would you like to see our tickets?

Let’s zoom in on just one of those:

Yep, I felt like a Very Important Person

The game itself was great. I have to admit, I don’t know a single player on the Jazz anymore. After seeing them up close and personal for a couple of hours (ahem), I will say that I know them a little better. For example:

This guy:

Hayward. Don’t like him. Doesn’t share the ball all that much, and always goes for the shot. Couldn’t make a single basket if his life depended on it. And somehow, they play him all the time.

And this guy (left):

Earl Watson. Love him. Short, fast little guy that carries the whole team on his back. Wouldn’t have won the game without him.

So, anyway, at half-time we got to go back to the VIP room for refreshments like nachos, popcorn, cheesecake, chocolate coconut bars, and drinks.

Love me some nachos!

And here’s Dave walking through the tunnel to get back to the game (or to get a closer look at the Jazz girls?)

In the end, the Jazz won. A serious miracle, if you ask me. The first half was pretty pathetic, but in the end they pulled it together, making for a very exciting second half.

But the story doesn’t end there, folks. So here we are leaving the game, walking on the game floor (and being told to stay on the blue part only;) Right after taking these photos, I zipped my little camera into my coat pocket because what more was there to capture, right?

Wrong. Just as we entered the tunnel, guess who came cruising along in a little golf cart? None other than President Monson, himself. I tried hard to refrain from screaming. Really I did. But, as Dave put it, I screamed at him “like he was Jon Bon Jovi.” I probably did. I have a tendency to do that.  But it was just the cherry on top of my ice cream sundae.

Such a memory I will never forget!

Rainbow Snowman

These two cousins decided they would go “snowing.” First item on the agenda: getting dressed and pulling funny faces.

This little boy didn’t realize why he had to wear all that stuffy clothing…

…until he got outside to discover the wonder of snow. So darling, that one.

Second item of business: building a snowman. The mom helped a tad with rolling and stacking the snowman, but the girls handled the rest. They even stained their little hands tie-dying their snowman. He was one colorful man of snow!

Of course, there was also some snow shoveling going on.

Is no one else taken by these kids?

Cole’s agenda differed from the girls’. He used much of his time and energy chasing the neighbors’ cat, Katara:

That darn cat was just too fast for those tiny legs!

And what would a snow day be without snow angels and eating snow?

New Year’s EVE

We rang in 2012 with the SLC crowd at EVE. Our night consisted of the Clark Planetarium, The Art Center, and festivities at the Salt Palace.

Here’s Cole in the “Ball”room at the Salt Palace, showing off a smile of complete and utter joy! They filled the room with, I don’t know, hundreds of balls?—10 foot balls (that knocked Junior over a time or two), and big, medium, and smaller-sized balls. They also had a DJ mixing up some hot jams amidst all the rolling, bouncing and chasing, making this both Cole and Kate’s favorite event of the night.

 

(L) Kate in a cloud (R) Both kids in a jumper

Making “art”

The whole fam with a b"EVE”r

We also went on a vacation that night, as Kate would tell you. Marriott tricked us into booking a night at their hotel, boasting an upgraded concierge level room with access to their lounge of free snacks and free drinks at no extra charge. Well, we were sold! And, of course, a little bothered, too, once we discovered that the Concierge Lounge was CLOSED all weekend long. Pssh.

    

But the pool was nice.

And so was our little veranda.

Also, lovely, was the 6:00am wake-up cry from Cole. Waking up early was actually a nice thing, though. It got us up and at ‘em for the buffet breakfast, and back home and ready on time for church.

December Highlights…

Lights & Reindeer at Thanksgiving Point-

Nothing beats a night of cold Christmas fun and hot cocoa with the Williamson folk

Jump On It-

Cole’s first time. Couldn’t keep either of them away from the disgusting foam pit; I just had to let go and remind myself that this is how we strengthen our immune systems.

 Grandma & Grandpa’s 12 Days of Christmas-

Plenty of fun gifts, but this was probably the kid's’ favorite…until someone needed to play the game with JUST HIMSELF!!

Gingerbread Houses-

Solely decorated by Kate

Gingerbread People-

Prince Scraggly & Princess Curly; thanks Subby, Lucy, and Julia who sent us these for Christmas!

Dinner at the Roof-

We're missing Steve & Becky in this shot, but this is the rest of us. The Roof has become a fun family Christmas tradition for several years now. This year was especially fun because Dave's parents surprised us all with a 3-night stay at the Inn on the Hill this summer for their 50th anniversary.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Christmas 2011. In one word: perfect. I’m pretty sure I will NEVER forget it. In fact, this is likely the day I will replay in my head over and over when I’m old and gray.

It started off with Junior waking at 6:20am. I quickly fed Cole, and put him back to bed. Of course, that trick doesn’t work anymore. Cole kept on talking and sweet Dave got up with him.

The morning crept by, and sweet aromas tiptoed in. Darling Dave made pumpkin spice muffins and an egg, cheese, bacon, and potato casserole. There, lying in bed, I was suddenly saddened by my Grinchiness and hopped out. Why on earth did I not get up and spread the Christmas cheer like Dave did? Oh, I love him! Thank goodness for him.

Within minutes, we all woke Big Sissy, reminding her it was Christmas morning. Her eyes popped and she squealed, “I forgot!!!!”

With robes on, and holding little hands, we went downstairs to see what Santa had left for us.

***Cole makes this smile where he squints his eyes and shows off every tooth in that mouth of his; this smile was CONSTANT on Christmas! We had NEVER seen that boy in such a good mood! He loved every toy! Dinos, b-balls, EVERYTHING! We could not believe what a pill he was!

 

…if only we could have a song and dance, circus show every morning for that kid!

***Kate only wanted surprises this year, which made things really fun and easy for the mom and dad. She was thrilled by all that she got, except for one thing: the Sock Monkey stacking dolls.

“I didn’t want this!” she scorned.

Oh-----we’ll be sure to let Santa know.

After church and a little more playing with toys, we went to Grandma Sherrie’s and Grandpa Lyle’s. We had some lunch, and then the kids opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa, and the adults did a white elephant gift exchange. Dave and I rid ourselves of some old, bizarre gifts I’d gained as a teacher, and got usable items: wrapping paper and sparkling cider. How lovely.

My parents did the 12 Days of Christmas for our family and each of my siblings’ families this year. We were treated to gifts like gloves, Whack-a-mole (the game), jammies, a dvd, etc.…so I certainly wasn’t expecting anything more from them. But they gave us a stocking with family zoo passes and a Texas Roadhouse gift card. What a fun surprise that we’ll enjoy all of next year (the zoo passes, that is).

I’m sorry, but isn’t this picture too cute for words? It captures Cole’s permasmile that he carried around all day:

Coler Bear with a polar bear

Couldn’t resist this picture either…

Kate and Parker snuggled up playing video games

What a day! All I could think is, “What would Christmas be if I didn’t have my kids?” So grateful for their smiles and excitement over everything today!

And one more thing…in one day, this husband of mine made muffins, a casserole, jello, AMAZING crepes with a divine creamy filling, and hot, spiced apple cider. I dare say, I have an incredible husband. He pretty much made my holiday, with the help of two darling kids.

I say my favorite holiday is Halloween. That’s probably not true.