Utes take charge in The Sugar Bowl!!

I know you've all ready heard my spiel, and know we are Utes Fanatics. If you don't...where have you been?!! :} We were very excited to get the chance to play in such a big game (since they don't seem to recognize the Mountain West as a very powerful conference). But, let's be honest, not too many people really thought we could pull off the win (the polls only had Utah at 10%...so not exactly high probabilities there!). I was just hoping for a good game & strong hopes that maybe, just maybe, we could actually win. Not that I'm not a believer of our team...it's just Alabama is known to be a really good team! So, it was nice to see us start off with a bang! Seriously, I think they don't know what hit them! We played our best game ever...just dominated the game from the beginning & shut them down with the final score of 31-17. I was so glad that Doug & Bradon, along with Dad & Mike, actually got to be there to witness it in person...how fun & exciting for them!! It's a memory I know they will never forget! But, for those of us stuck at home, we also made it a fun evening of watching it with some of our other fellow Ute Friends. We had a "New Orleans" themed buffet (lots of good spicy foods for some). I think the whole state (at least most of us) were cheering them on, even if they weren't Utes fans. I loved Kaley's classic comment to Doug when he got home explaining "The adults were TOO loud & they gave me a headache with all their screaming!" Ha...finally, parents get a little payback! :} The final polls came out today ranking the Utes at #2, which we'll certainly take! Granted I, and many others, think we should be #1 being that we were the ONLY college team with a perfect record; but, when all the BCS mumbo jumbo comes into play, doesn't quite work out that way. Regardless, our best season ever & glad that we got to watch our team do their thing this year!!

The boys catching a bit of the New Orleans scenery when they got there

The infamous Cafe Du Monde where they had to get their coffee & beignets

So nice that Mike could drive over from Florida & join them too!

"Whoo Hoo, we're actually here!"

The band rallying up the crowd before the game

Here we go...let history begin!

Doug catching the Utes fans from where he was at

Seeing Anj in action! (and how fun for her to actually be on that field for that game!!)

Our team!

That's right! The final score is...

Let the celebrations begin!

Meanwhile, back in Utah....

Dylan high fiving everyone after another great play!

"DUDE...THEY JUST SCORED AGAIN!" (I love that look he's giving me! :})

THANKS UTES FOR GIVING US A FANTABULOUS SEASON OF FOOTBALL!!!

New Year's Celebrations

This was the first year that Doug & I have been apart on New Year's Eve since we got together back in '88...sad! (I know, whaa whaa! :}). But, of course it was all for good reason since him & Bradon were on their Sugar Bowl trip. They got to spend New Year's Eve with Dad & Sherrie in San Antonio, and then headed off to New Orleans the following day. So, it was a little more quiet than usual; but, we still managed to have a little fun with it. I told the kids they could do whatever they wanted & fortunately they made it easy...just wanted to be with Tracy & her kids. So, after work, we met them for dinner at Chilli's, then went back to our house to play games & watch the countdown. I always find it odd as to when each channel decides to actually air it (some you see on their own actual timezone, or not, just depends on the station). The kids had to go out & make some noise at midnight (which I didn't realize at first they were actually going up to each neighbor's porch ringing doorbells & banging the pots & pans...that was probably a bit much since some were actually sleeping! :}). So, here we are, now in 2009 all ready...just like that! 2008 was certainly a fun filled year, so 2009 will have to be a little tamer (though we do have one more "40 trip" planned in the summer :}). My goal for the new year is to be Livin' Fine, Feelin' Fine, and Lookin' Fine in '09! (plus it's fun to say :}).

Kaley sure loves her Tracy!

YAHTZEE! (OK, we'll let her pretend she did! :}) Hard to believe Rachael is in high school now & almost driving!

"No kids...I said you can bang the pots & pans OUTSIDE!"

Here's to a great year for all of you!!

Concert Night with Neil Diamond

So my friend, Maryanne, who happens to be a Neil Diamond fanatic insisted we go to his show, since a few of us had never seen him before (I think she's on like #7 or 8 :}). Though I have always liked singing along to some of the classics, it was never really one I thought I "Must See"; but, was I wrong! I have to admit he is an incredible performer & he's still got it after all these years! It was an excellent show & we had a blast singing along! What was also fun was getting a text from my brother, Glenn, joking that he was proud to say he was there, not knowing I was too. So we shared our texted pictures of each of our views & met each other after the show. It was definately a fun night out on the town with the girls, and a nice break from the rest of the holiday madness going on! Thanks Maryanne! :}

Dance Recitals

In addition to all the other Holiday Events, we also got to see Kaley & Dylan in action at their 1st Dance Recital this season. Oh, they were so cute! Unfortunately I was having camera issues so I didn't get any of the actual dances; but, know they did great & it certainly made us proud to see them both shine! Dylan, aka: "Flex", has really taken to this hip-hop dancing. It's been a great avenue for him & his energy! He was so nervous to do the solo in front of all those people; but, once he was out there & getting cheers, he was in his element! We noticed how he was incorporating his kicks from Tae Kwon Do into his dance..so, glad he's putting them to use! It was so nice of Aunt Colleen to show up too...she's a busy girl; but, seems to always make time! They sure do love their Aunt Colleen!! (and so do we!! :})

Holiday Fun With Good Friends

Besides all the family gatherings, we also managed to get in a few celebrations with the friends too. The first celebration was Annual Christmas Bonko Night where we do the gift exchange game. Tiff cooked us up a wonderful holiday meal...it was a perfect way to start off the holiday season! We had our annual get together with good friends, Connie & Monica, and families. Unfortunately our crazy lives just don't give us as much time together as we used to, so we are glad for any chance we get! Of course there had to be the "dance off"

Dylan teaching Henri a few moves

Our good friend from school, Nick Milano, came in town for a visit. That gave us an excuse to gather with a bunch of old school friends. Nick, Paul & Chris just seemed to be everyone's friend in school...just those kind of likeable guys! It's weird because it just seemed like the same old times all together, not really like it's been 21+ years since those days! Funny how that happens! :} It was great to see them all!

Sandra's daughter, who happens to be a BYU fan, was not having her wearing a Utes Helmet!

Mel dancing with the kids

I know, I know...she always has to dress up & perform!

Then some of this same group gathered again for a Post-Holiday Party at Melissa's house since Jennifer Fabor was back in town. So, I got to see a couple others I haven't seen for a long time, which is always fun. A lot of us have been back in touch again through Facebook...love that connection that is bringing us all back in touch again! I've always thought we were lucky to have such a great group of friends growing up; but, this has just proven we really did, and still do!