In the re-building phase... again..

I went to the Jazz Game with my mom one night while the guys were both out of town working. I didn't know it then, but it was Jerry's last game.

When you sit so close to the bench and watch the dynamics, it becomes obvious that certain players are calling all the shots.

You wonder what this deep discussion was about. For all we know he was saying.. "where should I trade to?"

You jump for that rebound Jefferson. I think you need a few more guys crowding you?!

I am so upset about all the turn-over in the Utah Jazz. We will never be the same without our fearless leader and coach. Who will yell at the refs for us? And then we loose our superstar. Even is he was stubborn- he had some serious game. In my mind, ticket values are plummeting. We find ourselves with young, new players. Once again... in the rebuilding phase. Ahh.. my loyalty is being tested. May the wins start piling up!

Discovery Fair

I don't remember 100's day being a big deal when I was in school. But it's big now! We count the days, and celebrate with quite the party when we hit 100 days of school. This year, our school did a discovery fair. For the older grades, this meant science and history fair projects. The younger kids displayed their 100's day projects. I was so amazed with the creativity. Parent's put a lot of work into these cool projects. This is my most favorite project, and my most favorite kindergartner (my neighbor):

The best part of her project- she framed it cute so that she could display her butterflies in her room after the fair. If you have kids- start collecting 100 of something so you're prepared for 100's day!

Valentines!

We had a wonderful Valentines Day. Rick bought me beautiful flowers, and he got a nice bouquet of "man balloons" (black and white zebra stripe, red and black polka dot balloons- no pink!) delivered to his work. We had a scrumptious, over-priced, fine dining experience at Sundance with our good pals the Thomas's. We all ordered the lamb, which turned out pretty good. My least favorite- oysters. Rick's least favorite- scallops. If you go- eat plenty of the "sundance rolls"- a multi-grain warm roll with a white grape baked in the middle. A new found favorite. Hope your V-Day was extra special!

My Encounter

We went to the Jazz Game Monday night, and sitting right in front of us was Jimmer Fredette! Rick was smart enough to run up to the Fanz store, buy an Official NBA ball and a sharpie, and Jimmer signed right across the front of our ball. He was very nice to all the fans around him, took tons of pictures, signed dollar bills, and didn't turn anyone away. We were the only ones that got a basketball though! Rick wants to sell it. I want to keep it. Bridger keeps offering to buy it. What to do...

Christmas in a nutshell

Christmas was a great one this year.

I had so many pictures piling up, that I thought it best to

create a slide show and just highlight a few of my favorites:

• Rick did a great job on our Christmas lights at our house this year. It's going to be a tough act to follow next year!
• Santa was good to me, and brought me a new digital camera that I was very much in need of. No more borrowing everyone else's! I plan to enroll in camera classes soon to learn how to use this thing!
• My Gray family cousin side had a great Christmas/Grandpa's birthday party with all the cousins. We participated in the classic white elephant game. I bequeathed the Superman underwear to Kelsey, and my mom won back her own Olympic Sweater vest she didn't know had been donated!
• Rick won "Snapshot of the Week" on Roughin it Outdoors- which aired Christmas night. He now owns his own dutch oven cooker and bragging rights to being on TV.

Hope your Holidays were Merry and Bright!

Ugly Sweater Party

You have all heard of them, I'm sure. A Christmas "Ugly Sweater Party." Rick and I searched high and low, and finally found these gems in his parents basement. Carolyn purchased these in Ireland (how authentic!) for family pictures, and was willing to lend them to us for the evening. She was even kind enough to send me with the original family portrait. Wasn't Rickey cute even then?!

Here are the gentlemen- trying to look as Classy as possible. Rickey's turtleneck takes me back to the early 90's! We had to borrow that wardrobe piece as well.

We had a good time with our friends- the best part is seeing what everyone comes up with.
Hope your Holiday parties were classy as well.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

Bear Lake

We spent this Thanksgiving at the Bear Lake Family Cabin- with food, fun, friends and family. Here's a list of a few of the things I am thankful for this Holiday:

1. A Very nice husband who drove both ways in the "Snow Apocolyps Storm of the Year." He is a great driver, and a great husband to hang out with all the family and cousins all weekends.

2. Very good food! So what if the turkey wasn't cooking all day when we thought the roaster was plugged in? Good thing we had a back-up cooked (Jenny!), and we could let this giant beast take it's sweet time. When that golden bird emerged from the oven at 9pm- we were hungry and ready for round two. Way to dig in Dylan!

3. Being 20 below at the cabin gave us the opportunity to stay indoors. Thus number three I am thankful for "good old fashioned fun." You know... things we used to do when we were kids.

Like build a house of cards,

Nap in the middle of the day (notice I chose to show Rick-

pictures of me sleeping aren't pretty),

Eat even when we don't feel hungry,

Bench press the skinny teenagers so we feel like we worked off some of the day's calories.

And a well-planned gingerbread house making contest. Only at the cabin can you turn this into an entire morning affair, including: announcing team captains, drafting team members, drawing plans, strategizing, hiding, whispering, planning, stealing items, and creating. My team won "most cabin like" (pictured above).

Ricks team turned theirs into a "Swedish Hunting Chalet" with Sven out front in the fur hat. Quite funny that a team of all boys would choose pink frosting for their Hunting Chalet. Rick is pointing too, and most proud of the pretzel wood pile he thought to add for his hunters.

We chose a judge that we knew would stand by his decision with gusto- Grandpa! This could become a new tradition. All that participated enjoyed the festivities.

4. I am thankful for a Grandpa that made the Bear Lake Cabin possible and continues to be a great joy in our home.