Utah Jazz Game

Greg's boss at work, Don, (thank you) gave him tickets to go watch the Utah Jazz take on Portland Trail Blazers for the last preseason game. These games are always fun to watch (and having good seats doesn't hurt.) So Greg decided to take me. We were able to park underground at my office and walk to the arena. . .so free tickets and free parking makes a wonderful date night! Of course, when we go out, the kids always get pizza for dinner which they don't complain. Utah didn't play well in the first half - no baskets were going in and they couldn't play defense. Then half time came. . .and a different Jazz team stepped onto the floor. The second half of the game was definitely a better game to watch. The Jazz did beat Portland in the end. I can't wait to get tickets for a regular season game. I will have to remember to take the camera next time to get some good shots of the players. During one of the time-outs they were throwing soft mini-balls into the crowd. . . .Greg caught one and gave it to me. He was so thoughtful. Thanks Greg. It had been awhile since just the two of us went out and it was a fun evening for both.

UEA Vacation

Over UEA this year we took the kids and went to Mesquite, Nevada. No, there is not a lot to do if you don't gamble. We left Thursday and drove to St. George and ate lunch and relaxed a bit. Afterwards, we finished the drive to Mesquite. It was nice and warm. We got to our room (Best Western Mesquite has family suites that holds up to 8 people - so it's great to have the family in one room and not have to pay for two) and went to the pool. Now let me remind you the weather was in the upper 80's, but the swimming pool was in the 40's to 50's. . . not very warm.

Friday we got up and I went to the travel center and asked if they had hikes in the area to go on. They mentioned a bike/walk trail that goes around for about 3 miles. We thought why not - let's check out the town a bit. We got our water bottles and went on the hike. We were almost at the end when the trail just ended. We were all hot and tired. I had a map but there was no last part of the trail. . . so exhausted. . .we walked back a bit and then walked along the main street (which made things even hotter and we were almost out of water) until we found the intersection where the path was. We were excited. We got to the car and were greatful for sitting down. I was impressed by Payton who walked the entire way except for 1/2 mile or so. After we got to our room we rested a bit, drank water and then went to eat at a mexican restaurant. The food was good but not worth the money.

Saturday came and we decided to drive toward Vegas and go to Valley of Fire State Park. What a beautiful place. We checked out the visitor's center and then decided to go on a hike. We drove to the top of the canyon and then hiked the White Domes. It was a beautiful and fun hike to go on. We enjoyed this hike when we knew it was only 1.5 miles. . .walking on rock, sand and through some narrows. The brochure stated the Valley of Fire State Park is where Nevada does a lot of shots for commercials. (just like southern Utah for movies and commercials for Utah). After the hike we went to the Lost City Museum. They had artifacts and reconstructions of dwellings found in the Moapa Valley. The kids didn't want to go but it was a good break from the weather. Once we were finished we drove back to Mesquite and was going for Subway when someone saw a Little Caesars Pizza joint. . . .so that's where we went for lunch. It tasted good. We took it to our room and relaxed some more and then right back out to the pool (which was still cold) but the hot tub was nice.

Sunday we ate breakfast, packed and drove home. . . while the kids watched movies. They all had a good time. I enjoed it because it wasn't home and a chance to get away for a few days. Thanks to my brother Mike for watching our dog Hailey. Now it's back to school, work and other things that come in the way.

The Man In Red and Girl In Blue

Last week at Boys and Girls Club (where Garrison goes before and after shool until mom and dad get off of work) had a lights out and come out and play with the family. There were giant slides to go on and also games to play. Below are some pictures of the kids having fun. Payton did not like going on the bouncy slides/rides. It is too scary for her as other kids get on and everything moves. .. so she opted for all the games. Whatever makes them happy.

Payton enjoying her time on the slide which she loves.

Payton going up the slide before she got scared and wouldn't come down until Garrison went up to get her.

Here is the man who wore RED for Red Ribbon week. He is showing off his water bottle which his class had won. They were so excited to be the winning class. Garrison stated that the class next to them started "booing" becasue his class was so excited.

It was pretty cold this weekend so we didn't do a whole lot. The kids are getting excited because we're going on vacation for UEA holiday this week. I couldn't get a hotel in St. George so we are staying in Mesquite. Nothing like not having to work, a pool and good weather is all that we need. Should be fun.

Red, red and more red

Red, red, red. At Longview Elementary this week is RED RIBBON WEEK. On Monday, Garrison received his wrist band to remind him. On Tuesday it was wear red. This was a contest with all the classes. The class with the most "red" on won water bottles. Garrison was so hopeful that they could do it. That morning he dresswith a red shirt, a red/gray/white basketball jersey, matching shorts, red knee high socks, his old black shoes with red stripes and of course, his U of U hat. The funny thing was except for the jersey and shorts - none of the other "red" colors matched. (I just need to download the picture I took of him and post it). Well, due to him and another kid in their class. . .they help them win the water bottles!!! Garrison stated when they found out they cheered and cheered - - - and then they heard the class next to them boo them. He said it was pretty funny. What a fun way to remember going to school.. . having class competitions and winning. Way to go Garrison! : )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Yes, today is my birthday. Greg wrote a big happy birthday on the mirror with soap and then Garrison and Payton had fun adding to it. The fun thing about birthdays is the fact that people call and chat with you for a few minutes. (and yesterday was my dad's birthday, and had a good one so he and my mom are going on yet another cruise in the near future to the Panama Canal. I think I'll try to hide in their luggage for that one.)

Greg bought me a gift but it will not be delivered until next week. My sweet husband got me a new washer/dryer set. .. you know the kind that opens up from the front. Wow, almost 10 years of marriage and it's a new set. Thanks dear.

At work my friend Lisa took me to Lion House for lunch. It was delicious. I had chicken with a creeam sause over it, mixed rice, mixed vegetables, a roll and water. On our way home we passed the church Administration building. I noticed that photographer Ed Smart was there with his camera so we waited for a second. Out the doors of the building was Elder Uchtdorf, his wife and another couple posing for picutres. It was really something to see a servant of the Lord right there and not just on TV or in church magazines.

At work they celebrated my birthday with root beer floats. Nevermind that it's about 60 degrees outside, but that does sound good. When was the last time you had a root beer float?

Now, I think instead of fixing dinner. . . I'll go somewhere and pick it up so that I can relax at least one day of the year.. . . knowing that Greg will put the kids to bed tonight. Thanks honey. You really are a great catch!!! I don't know if there is any worth while pictures to show, but if any get taken I will have to post them.

Conference

Conference was this weekend and it was amazing listening to the talks. I likes how they addressed all ages. I enjoyed Saturday and listening to the children's choir. They sounded like angels. . .as we have been taught to be like little children. I also loved all the personal stories that were told to make you laugh, but also the hard times of loosing someone. . .and my mind instantly went to the Rich family in our ward who had lost their 16 month old son in September due to an accidental drowning. I had printed out an activity booklet for the kids to do to keep them quiet, but also able to listen.

Saturday, Greg went to priesthood session at night, so Payton and I ran to Target to pick up a few things while Garrison stayed home to play computer games. On the way to the store Payton asked "does it rain in Heaven?" (Saturday we had a pretty good rain storm all day). I told her that I didn't know the answer. Payton then proceeded to state "well, when I go up to Heaven I am going to ask if it rains." I asked her if she's been thinking alot about Heaven lately and she said yes.

This weekend was an overall good weekend for all of us and just staying close together as a family. I made a trail mix for all of us to eat during conference and that also helped keep the kids quiet. We all have up and down days, but this weekend it was more up than down. I keep thinking that I need to get the camera out and just start taking pictures of everybody.

Garrison is on a roll at school and at home to get at least 20 minutes of reading done every day. Lately he's been pulling in about 40 minutes. Way to go Garrison!!!!

Payton is learing her numbers by writing them out. We also taught her our home phone number. (she thinks at times it is to my cell phone. That will come later.) She is SO excited to be starting school next year. I'm not only excited (not because that mean's my little girl is growing up) but the fact that the kids will be more in one place for pick up before and after school. . . . instead of two different places right now.

Life

Last Saturday we went to a funeral of a 16 month old boy who addidently drowned at home. Nathan and Rachael had never been to a funeral so we took the entire family. The service was wonderful and a great celebration of Jackson's life. Just listening to the stories you could tell he had taught a lot to his parents in his short life time. Afterwards, we went and looked at all the pictures they had of Jackson. It made me think wow, I need to take more pictures of my kids. One thing that his dad, Coby, mentioned was that they took the four heart valves and were able to donate them to other children. So, having the gospel in your life really makes you think and know with more surity that there is life after this time on earth. That there is a greater plan for all of us, but yet we can't see it right now.

After the funeral we went to Costco for food shopping and then put things in the fridge/freezer and left the rest out. We went to Murray Rec Center for Greg and Nathan to work out and the rest of us went swimming. The best thing was that it was FREE!!!! Yep. Free. It was a day where there were several recreation centers open for free to get families out and exercise and to check out what the center's had. We had a fun time. Payton's favorite thing to do is go down the big waterslide with somebody. She laughs the entire time.

That night we made hogie sandwiches and relaxed watching Spiderwick. The time was late when everybody went to bed, but after the day's events (and earlier in the week with the passing of Jackson) it made you hug your kids, be around them more and just give in on some of the rules in the house.

Yesterday - Utah Utes beat Oregon State in football right at the last second with a field goal to win by 3. Tonight, BYU plays Utah State. Even though I graduated from Utah State, I know that the true blue team will come out on top. USU? Nope. BYU.