UTES GO 7-0!!!

Another FABULOUS game played by our Utes today!!

Final Score: Utah-40, Wyoming-7

NEED I SAY MORE?!!!!

(Well, I suppose I could also say thanks to Bonnie & Brent, some of our tailgating friends, for having us over to watch the game at thier pad...Fun times!!)

Precious Moments....

As many of you know, I absolutely love the "Precious Moments" figurines (and books, and whatever else we can find in PM) & have collected them since our wedding. The cake topper was my 1st one & I have one that represents every important aspect/moment in my life...like childbirth, buying a home, hospital stays, good friends, etc. Just love them! But, what's even better is when you have your own real life Precious Moments. Connie's always said Kaley looked like them anyway..she kind of does (I could be a little biased though :}). Just as we're getting ready this morning, I thought I'd capture a couple of them, something to remind us it's just the simple things & moments in life that really mean the most!Kaley is teaching school right now to her stuffed animals. They are learning the fire drill. that's cute....glad to know she's paying attention in school! :}

Dylan is "busting a move". My question is...why does he only have one sock on?
OK, I don't have one of Bradon this morning since I just couldn't seem to wake up before he left; but, this is still a precious moment that truly shows Bradon's sweet side. This is him with cute lil' Hayden...such adorable boys! :}

You know what else is precious? Bradon is going to his very first school dance today! Of course he didn't really want to talk about it "with mom"; but, I do know how much school dances are a important part of our lives! Atleast they always were in my world! Oh so many great memories...many good times at the dances! Do they even have the church dances anymore? That was a big thing back in my day...I can just picture the leaders now making sure we were arm's width apart for the slow dances! :} Seems like there was one almost every weekend, it was so fun! I still think about them, when I pass certain churches in the valley, that they would be held at. Always brings a smile. Of course makes you laugh too since we were such dorks back then! (Hey, it WAS the 80's after all! :}) Besides the church & school dances, we also had a few fun dance clubs for teenagers...Xenon, The Maxim, Dukes, The Palladium, The Bay, The Ritz are ones that we can think of (had to ask my friends for some help remembering the names of some of these places). Again, do the kids even have those around anymore? I haven't noticed if they do. Of course, I am getting old now...so, I could just not know about them! I'd definately have to say it was one of my favorite things as a teenager (and still is, in my refusal to grow up completely :}). Hopefully he'll have a good time today & not be shy & afraid to ask the girls to dance. As much as I want to go and watch, I was told "I better not!" (you know how tempting it is to sneak in with my camera? :}). So, guess it's time for me to let go a little & watch him grow up (sniff sniff). Meanwhile I'll enjoy whatever precious moments I can get!!

Let The Reunions & Celebrations Continue...

As I've mentioned...this year is the year for many of our friends to celebrate hitting the new decade. What is it about 40 anyway? Just seems like such a milestone (and good excuse to make something fun out of it! :}) This past Saturday included 2 40th Birthday Parties. The first one was held @ Melissa's house for our long time school friend, Stephanie Chappel, who was visiting in town. It also brought Amy Oelrich over too. Wow...it's been a long time since I've seen Amy-O! It was awesome to reunite with both of them, we had some great laughs! They are both still cute & fun as ever, hardly changed a bit...love it, and love them! :}

Steph & Amy

Kaley keeping Amy entertained with the toys

So good to be together again!

Next was the Fiesta over at The Hennessey's Pad for Jeff. They always go all out, so it was fun to see them playing up to the theme. We got there a bit late, so we unfortunately missed our other friends; but, glad we at least got to celebrate his big day with them still! Kaley was very happy to have been given her very own sombrero!

The Birthday Boy

Jeff & Carla

I think we wore her out!! (don't you love those pics when they crash like that? :})

Thanks again Mel & Jeff & Carla for inviting us to your gatherings...always enjoy our times together!!

I'm just saying....

So, I've wanted to have a discussion about something that many people just hate to talk about....death, and what we want from our own funerals. Some think I'm morbid for thinking of this; but, c'mon...we're all going to be there someday. Hopefully not any time soon...I still have WAY to much on the life list!! Speaking of...I better get on some of those things! What's on your life list? Mine includes skydiving (Tandom is ok, and preferred, just want to jump is all), seeing Europe, learning to ride a motorcylce, learning Spanish...and much more. We should all have a life list...if not, I encourage you to make one now!

So why do I bring this subject up anyway? Well, as I've mentioned, it has unfortunately been quite the year of losses. It's sad to see so many people leave this world! Some we new were coming, some completely unexpected & too many that were too young & still had a lot to still live for! Which I'm sure they didn't take a lot of thought into this probably, since they didn't expect it to happen for a long time. I don't want to leave it up to someone else to wonder what I'd like, or to have a service that didn't truly express who I was & what I believed in. As sad as funerals are, they can as well be so inspirational & hopefully you can always learn something from them. What I've learned, or what has just been reinforced, is NOT to take life for granted!; to just be kind to others & be a good person-live by the Golden Rule (see, I did still learn something from Primary! :}); to appreciate every relationship you are fortunate to have & to not let time go by without letting your loved ones know you love them; to just do it instead of talking about it!; to know, despite life's trials, that you will get through them, and become a stronger person because of them!; and much more!

What I want at my funeral is to have lots of pictures. At our friend, Kelly Gunderson's, funeral (oh, that was sad...I miss him, he was a great friend growing up, so many good memories!)..they had a whole room full of pictures & I loved to see what an adventurous life he had & enjoyed getting a laugh at ones when I remember him as a kid. I want people to know that I did love life & tried hard to make the most of it! I want people to laugh & remember what fun we had! I can only hope that each & everyone of you there have something you can smile or laugh at through our times together. I believe that is my purpose in life after all! :} I know there's a lot of tears at funerals; but, laughs should be there too (especially if you get tears from laughing! Now that is something I truly love about my dad too...the laughing tears! :}). Sadly, this week involved another funeral of our friend, Greg's, father. I really enjoyed hearing his stories & things he did that made them laugh & how much he lived for his kids. He was obviously a good man & a great example. I remember my Grandma Leach's viewing & how much we were laughing at her stories. She was such a silly & fun lady...a great inspiration to us all! Was this inappropriate? Maybe to some; but, to me that was a good sign of how much she touched our lives!

Another thing I want is good music. There's so many fabulous songs out there that express who I am & what keeps me going; but, hopefully you can get some of my favs (just look on my IPOD playlists....they're all there :}). I believe music is a great way to express feelings & to help cure whatever the mood. One of my favorite songs, "Forever Young" by Alphaville, is one out of many. Now why this song? It's about living...but, it's been my theme song & truly living "Forever Young" to the day I die. I would also agree with Tracy & include Green Day's "Good Riddance". Others include "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", "Seasons In The Sun", "Time In A Bottle", "Angel" by Sara McLachlan, about any Bread song. Of course there's plenty more; but,that's just a few of them.

Friends...throw a party in my honor. Must haves at this party...good music (again)..to get everyone dancing, good food...jello's always good (with or without :}), funeral pototoes (umm..yumm!), someone else is going to have to make stuffed mushrooms this time for Connie, Laci, Tina, Daniella, Jeff & Carla...and the rest of them who insist every time we get together. Serious...I want you to have that reason to all get together & celebrate our lives together! This is where you can play all my favorite songs..and please don't forget my "Great 80's playlist!" :} It reminds me of when our friend, Lisa, died of cancer. It was such a sad time & very hard to watch her frail away; but, knowing her time was near, it gave us the chance to all get together & celebrate our friendships together. There was so many people there & we know how much she appreciated getting the chance to say good bye too. Unfortunately most don't get that opportunity to say good bye...all the more reason to take advantage of every moment!!

OK, so there you go....sorry to bring up the subject & no, again, nothing's wrong, I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I'm just saying.....

Now let me introduce you to "The Other Mellisa"...

Mellisa (Larsen) Olsen & I...enjoying the love of The Utes together

I know, not fair that she has to be the "other" Mellisa; but, since I knew Melissa Workman first, that's just always how it always was. Love her just the same! :} Actually, they spell their names different, so that helped distinguish the two..though I can't recall when it changed from calling them Missy's to Melissa's (now "Mel" & "Mellis"). (BTW, what is it with "Melissa's" in my life....each one I know is a dear friend...something in the name I guess! :}). We first met in 7th grade Choir class. Since we were seated alphabetically, her being Larsen & me Leach..they put us next to each other & friends ever since! Which meant the poor thing had to always listen to my "singing" (if that's what you want to call it..never was very good, not that it ever stops me! :}). It's so funny thinking back at what mature kids we thought we were. Now that my son is that same age...I think, no way could we have been that young when we met! :} Mellis was one of the first to jump on the "Thriller" craze when that album came out..I still remember that Michael Jackson poster she had hanging on her wall :}. I realize I said the Workman's were my "other family", well so were "The Larsens"...I felt like I practically lived at their home. I slept over enough, I might as well have had my own drawer! One simple thing that always makes me think of her is Lipton Sour Cream & Chive noodles. Funny how those little things can bring back memories. It was our favorite snack & I think we made it a few times a week after school. If not that, it was mac n' cheese. Though Mellis would not let me get near the stove because I would manage to ruin it myself! (I have advanced now...apparently I had something to prove since it was a joke to never let me cook back then!).
Mellis & I took our Senior Trip together...my first visit to Orlando, FL. If you know Mellis, you know she has always been a Mickey Mouse Fanatic, she still is...goes every year! (another reason I loved her since that was my fav growing up..serious, sometimes I wouldn't eat unless I had the Mickey plate, fork & cup..spoiled brat! :}). So who better than to experience Disney World with? I remember first getting to the room & just jumping up & down on the bed in glee that we actually are away, without adults! It was certainly a trip to remember & glad I got to share that with her! :}
Another thing I will forever be greatful for is how they introduced me to Utes Football. They took me to my first game & I've been a fan ever since! (obviously! :}) So, it's fun that this is one place I know I can always see her each year!
Though life gets crazy & it's impossible to see each other as much as we'd like, it doesn't mean I won't always appreciate her friendship, and all her & her family have done for me through those tough teenage years. I'll always laugh that her mom always thought I was "the good one that could cause no trouble!" :} It was ok with Mellis to go out with me since she was safe with me (little did she know :}). Mary, her mom, is a hoot...love her too, glad she put up with us always taking over their home!

Welcome Lil' Peyton Vaughn Barker

With much thanks to Leslie for hosting a wonderful Sunday afternoon gathering, and Tracy for helping her put it together, we got the chance to finally get to meet cute little Peyton. The parents, Natalie & TA, are dear friends of ours from Jazzercise...just the cutest couple, love those two! We unfortunately missed thier wedding last year due to my 20 year reunion; but, funny enough, we were all a Disneyworld together, while they were on their honeymoon. Not long after, tiny little Natalie was with baby & it was fun to watch her grow! I loved their announcement..TA is a big time golfer, so it was only appropriate that it was golf related & said "Daddy's Little Caddy". It was fun to get an afternoon to spend with the girls & celebrate such a special little guy!

Of course Kaley had to get in the picture! :}

Kaley was happy that Leslie let her play with the fun stuff...she wants one of these masks now!

My turn to hold him!

This game made for some great entertainment! "Suck it"....who could finish their bottle first? When's the last time you drank from a bottle? No wonder babies are always hungry, it took forever to finish a bottle!

Lisa won! :}

Congratulations Natalie & TA...welcome Peyton!

OH WHAT A GAME!!

UTES 31 - OREGON 28

UTES: 6-0 on the season so far!

Sakoda boots winning field goal to finish Utes' comeback

Let's try to recap this game...it was a sold out crowd, plenty of excited fans were anxious to see this game against Oregon State, who managed to beat USC last week! Honestly...I wouldn't have said what a game if you had asked me in the 3rd Quarter when the team was just not playing the offense they are capable of. Luckily the defense was keeping them alive. Brian Johnson was just blowing it at the time; but, the game wasn't over yet! They turned things around in the 4th quarter & the excitement level was growing! But, we were still down 20-28 with just a few minutes left. We then had a great run down the field & scored a touchdown. A 2 point conversion was obviously a must here! Johnson redeemed himself here by running it in, tying the game..oh, you should have heard the crowd! Still a minute and a half to go, Oregon has the ball...our defense gets them no where, we get the ball back. Again, another great run, Sakoda kicks the field goal with 1 second left to go...WE WIN THE GAME!! The crowd went insanely crazy!! Everyone jumping, cheering, yelling, high fiving everyone in site..it was awesome! They soon swarmed the field in a riot of madness...hope nobody got hurt! :} That kind of energy just can't be matched...and that folks, would be the reason why we love the game of football!!

Little extra side note here.... per ESPN, Utah is the first team to become bowl eligible this season! Way to go Utes!!