What happens in Vegas...Las Vegas Bowl

Before Christmas we had a chance to go to the Las Vegas Bowl to watch BYU take on UCLA. We left on Friday afternoon with Carsen, Alex's best friend, in tow, and drove in blizzard conditions at times. We drove directly to Summerlin to meet up with our old friends, Jim and Wendy Jensen. Off we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. We ordered 100 hot wings and we felt it the next day.


You can only jump on the beds in the hotel rooms, as Carsen and Alex prove it. This fun went on and on.

The next day we first had a great buffet breakfast with pickled herring and all the gravlax you can eat (sadly, only I understood what good breakfast is), and then hit the bowling alley at the Suncoast hotel. If you have never bowled at Suncoast, make it a priority next time. They have 64 fab lanes. We rocked to the sounds of Elvis and other favorites from the 60s.


Alex's first bowl, and he got a strike.

From Suncoast we drove to Rod's favorite all-you-can-eat Sushi place. Carsen's first bite of tamago sushi was lost in the restaurant toilet. He had more success with the California Rolls. Alex had his first spicy tuna sushi, and he liked it. And now, I won't even try to explain the joy of eating sushi. Let's just say, once again, that it is like candy to me and Rod. We could eat it all day, and never get enough.

Here Alex and Carsen are eating sushi.








Then it was off to the pre-game show.

But before we got there, Alex and Carsen HAD to entertain us with "99 bottles of beer on the wall".... Here happily singing. Us not so happily listening.








Scalp Painting, anyone?

Go BYU!

BYU, Number 1!!

Game started.
BYU scored first 3 points. Here is the field goal. Oops, the guys in front of me stood up too quickly, and I missed the kick.








This is where BYU scored their first touch down. Rod happened to be blocking the view, so I missed it too. Rats!







Then this is where BYU scored their second touch down, and I happened to be getting food with Carsen. Missed it, AGAIN!












Final score: BYU 17-UCLA 16, after UCLA's field goal was blocked by BYU.



Funniest sign we saw at the game.








Alex and Carsen with Andrew George after rushing the field.













And THIS is how cold it was in Vegas on December 22, 2007.

cookie family

Our really, really old friends in Layton are the Jennings family. We got to know them in 1991 when we moved to Orem, and started BYU. Rod was their home teacher. Quickly the home teacher visits turned into cookie nights at the Jennings. We spent hours and hours chatting with Tim and Dianne, and watched their kids grow up. When Alex was born, Dianne used to baby-sit him when I was at either work or school. Alex swears now that when his nose tickles and he rubs it, it is exactly the same way as Dianne does it. This might be true. I've seen them both do it, and it is the same rubbing motion.

So, who are the Jennings, you ask. If you have never met them, here is an intro according to me.

Tim-Father-Pepsi guru in Ogden. Funny guy. Has a nice picture on the wall when he finished a marathon. He absolutely loves his grandkids. Can do a Donald Duck voice that kids love. Introduced his kids to golf. Opens his home on Super Bowl Sunday for the Larsen's. How many years is it now? Over 15? Look out for the new trophy this year. The question is, will the Larsen's take the trophy home again this year??

Dianne-Mother-the most loveliest woman on earth. Skinny woman who runs like 30 miles a day. Won't eat meat. Saw a chicken butchered when she was young. That'll do it! Won't hug just anybody. We are some of the lucky ones she will hug. She has the most inviting home. Bakes cookies like nobody else. And now her girls do it. I love Dianne. She is one of those people that you will be friends with forever.

Hilary-(Family on the right side of the picture) Oldest child-incredible mother to 4 beautiful kids, some are read-headed. She is married to Bill. I think she bakes cookies every week. Just had some on Sunday. Delish! Hilary is beautiful. She has the most beautiful big eyes, and the longest eye lashes that make anybody jealous, especially me.

Tai-(Family on the left side of the picture) Second oldest child-another incredible mother to 3 girls, and "Alex" boy that will be born soon. Used to baby-sit Alex, and said that she would love to have a boy like Alex one day. Hey, Tai, now you can. Tai is married to the most hilarious husband-dentist Mike.

Brooke-(in the wedding gown)-Youngest daughter. Has been married since spring. She is married to Andy. No kids yet, but starting a family soon. We are so glad Brooke is married, because we noticed since the wedding, they are not sitting on the loveseat in the "loving" room anymore. There was a LOT of smootching on the couch before the wedding. Young love!

Jordan-(not in the picture)-on his mission in Florida, Jacksonville mission. Used to teach him in primary. As Intelligent as they come. Incredible DDR dancer. He comes home on March 5th. Happy day! This will be the first year ever that neither boys will be part of Super Bowl Sunday. Sad, but more chances for the Larsen's to win!!

Andrew-(the tallest one in the picture)-Leaving on his mission tomorrow to Tennessee, Knoxville mission. Gave a great talk on Sunday. He goes to the university in SLC that we can't mention in our home, for obvious reasons. GO COUGARS!

As you can see, this is a great family, and we love each and every member of that family, especially when there are cookies around.

How I really feel about winter

This is how I really feel about winter, if there was ever a doubt in your mind.

In the middle of winter, I finally realized that there was an eternal summer inside me.
-Albert Camus-

There is a winter on top of my head, but there is an eternal spring in my heart.
-Victor Hugo-

I drank summer like it was sweet wine.
-Louis Aragon-

Oh, happy is a heart
who can drink peace
and feel the happiness of a summer night
when you smell the bird-cherry trees.
-Lauri Pohjanpää-

Lovely evening in SLC

I had the most wonderful time in SLC last Friday with Elle and Alex. First we had a nice dinner at the Garden on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Then walked around the Temple Square to look at the lights, and then went to the Kurt Bestor Christmas concert. What a fun night. Here are some pictures (taken with my phone, hence the poor quality).

At Temple Square

This is what Elle calls as the "maternity scene", meaning Nativity. We had a good laugh about that.

Kurt Bestor Christmas concert.

Snow, snow, snow

I can't stand snow or rain. I grew up in both, and I don't think I should tolerate either of them anymore. I totally ignored the snow storm that hit Utah on Saturday. I had a huge list of things to do, including putting Christmas up, but when I looked outside on Saturday morning, and saw all the snow on the ground, I decided, it was time to stay in bed ALL DAY. So I did. Nothing got accomplished. Christmas is still in the boxes in storage. BUT, I got a yummy breakfast in bed, prepared by Rod and Alex. I read over 300 pages of my book, and watched an exciting BYU football game...all from the convenience of my own bed.

Sunday morning. This was the view outside.


Breathtaking, gorgeous, incredible. So, I guess I have to tolerate the snow storms so I get to experience the day after with bright sunshine.