One of the gifts that Steve and I got the kids was a package of tickets. Inside were tickets to a basketball game--The Jazz v. Milwaukee Bucks.
The Jazz were victorious!
It's so fun when the team you are rooting for actually wins!
At half-time the girls and I found the playground. Only in Utah...
Our seats were pretty high, but being in the stadium with the jumbo-tron and the lights and the music was enough fun for us.
I loved answering all the questions about the game for my 6 year old. I really hope she learns to love this sport. I also loved watching Gordon Hayward. I am definitely a fan of his.
The next morning we met up with my brother and his family in the BYU Bookstore (bought a few chocolate covered cinnamon bears) and then headed over to the Museum for the Sacred Gifts Exhibit.
It was lovely! They had pieces from Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofmann, and Frans Schwartz. I wish we could have stayed longer and watched the movie, but with all the kids, we decided to glean what we could in the time we had. I don't think my boys and I will ever look at some of the art the same again. I received a newly-found respect and awe for certain paintings that I've never particularly enjoyed. This was definitely well worth our time.
To add to our lovely day, we got to meet up with my Grandpa and Grandma Alleman! My Aunt Kris came over for lunch from work and my Uncle Von and his son, Quinn, also joined us at Kneaders. The large size of our group and the small size of the establishment didn't allow us to mingle with everyone or have a long chat. However, I loved every minute I got. I'm grateful that I am closer to these relatives so that I can see them all more often. How lucky are my kids to still have great-grandparents?!?!
When everyone left, Steve and I racked our brains for something to do that was inexpensive, but fun. I checked Groupon and found a terrific deal for ice skating in downtown SLC. Steve was not excited and actually asked if he could sleep in the car while we skated. He obliged me and helped me get the kids' skates tied. The cool, crisp air must have given him a second wind because he stayed out with us the whole time!
I started skating with Emma on one side and Lizzie on the other. I was being ripped apart. Emma decided to hug the wall and "skate" around the perimeter. With every slip and moment that Lizzie was off-balance, my arm and shoulder were being yanked. I convinced Lizzie to give it a try by herself. She was a speed demon! She didn't really skate or glide, but she would put one foot in front of the other and run on the skates. When people would talk to her, she'd fall. Crying, she'd scurry back up on her blades and run on those skates. She was determined to do it by herself and would be angry at anyone who would talk to her--even if it was a compliment as to how great she was doing! She was hilarious!
Roller skating experience really helped my older boys look like they knew what they were doing as they'd turn and do special cross-over steps.
Here's proof that even I can skate!
Steve sprang for a cup of hot chocolate after we'd been out in the cold for about an hour. The girls had fallen so much that their pants needed to dry out a bit, and their hips and knees needed a rest.
The zamboni cleaned off the ice to make it nice and slick every hour.
Bonding over hot chocolate is my kind of day.
Despite the bruises we all had on our ankles and bodies, each one of us had a great time skating under the lights and listening to some fun music.
My parents came in to town and took Wade's and my family out to Blue Lemon!
Wow! Can it get much better? Delicious! Mmmm! Everyone needs to try it!
Saturday was our gift to my parents. We met them at their condo and took them a year supply of Postum--a drink that has been discontinued, but for some reason I can get the contraband at my closest Albertsons. Weird, I know. We love the stuff, though, and are thrilled that I have a supplier!
We then went downtown to see City Creek Mall and take Trax over to The Gateway.
The kids loved it because it reminded them of the subway in NYC--only much cleaner, less stressful, and FREE!
At the Gateway, we went out to eat at the Tucanos Grill. Steve and I knew our boys would absolutely love this unique eating experience. We were also hoping Braxton would get full--a rarity.
At one point, we handed the color-coded block to Braxton since he was the only one who wanted more food! We were so full! Although, I do have to say that it was hard to turn down that scrumptious grilled pineapple. The waiters would bring it by our table every few minutes knowing we would take it even if we were on "red."
Happy early Birthday to this big guy!
Afterwards, we were off to the BYU Basketball game!
Then Krispy Kreme came into view and that sign said "Hot and Ready"! It's been years since we have seen one of those! We made a quick detour (cuz we needed more calories) and then to cheer on our Cougars!
My poor parents had to sit way up high in the nose-bleed seats on the bleachers without a back, but they were terrific sports! I am so glad they drove in so that we could have this day together. And we won the game against U of San Diego! Every time we would make a foul shot, the cheerleaders would do a backflip. Unbelievable! It was also fun for my boys to see Tyler Haws in action after seeing his video on hard work in a Sunday School lesson. I was impressed by Skyler Halford and hope that he gets more opportunities to be a star.
Our 3 generations of BYU fans!
My future cougars!
