03 December 2014

Utah Ball Game Pictures

The #25 Utes are playing #9 Wichita State tonight.  It was a 9:00 p.m. start so just the menfolks got to go.  It has been the most incredibly exciting Utah game I have seen in years.  I keep silently shaking my fist in the air and standing up to jump around.  The Utes were down 10-0 at the start and then got up by as many as 9 in the 2nd half.  We are now in overtime and I am about to lose my mind!!!!!!

In the meantime, here are some photos from a game on Saturday night.  It wasn't very exciting and it wasn't at all crowded.






Update . . .  
Utah WINS! over Wichita State 69-68
Go UTES!
Sold out crowd?!?  Why doesn't that crowd come to every game?!? 


Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2014 was probably the most relaxing big holiday we have had in some time.  It may have been because we enjoyed TWO Thanksgiving meals.  It may have been because both meals included turkey AND ham.  It may have been because the two chilluns were very well-behaved.  However, it was most likely due to the fact that we were able to visit with the Binggelis and the Petersens without having to rush from one to the other or feel like we are missing out on something somewhere.  

We were able to have a fun night visiting with the Binggeli's on Thanksgiving Eve.  Five of the 6 Binggeli siblings were in town.  We were only missing Alicia and Stacy.  Joesy, our newest niece, is super cute!  All the kids love harassing Uncle Jason.  The food was good and we decorated sugar cookies.  The most exciting news of the night was that Jarrell and Whytnee announced the arrival of an 8th Binggeli grandchild sometime next July!





On Thursday, the actual day of Thanksgiving, James had to work.  James has had to work parts of many holidays given the nature of being a nurse.  However, with his last job, he sometimes had morning visits and was able to have a lighter day and spend some of the holiday with us.  His new UNI job doesn't have that flexibility.  He works Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, regardless of whether the days fall on holidays or not.  This year, we'll miss him on both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's ok, though.  Like I said, it comes with the job.  

My mom was hosting the Petersen Family Thanksgiving at her house this year.  We got to help a little bit with the set up and preparation.  The kids were well-behaved and just hung out while we got stuff ready.  The meal was delicious and I think everyone had a nice time.  Everyone in my dad's family was there except for 3 of the 4 Hardcastle cousins and their families.  We still had a pretty good crowd.




02 December 2014

Zoo lights

One night this week we decided to go to Zoo Lights. We loaded up after dinner. Jack fell asleep on the way there. I didn't really want to go, but it looked like the best (and cheapest) night if we were to make it before Christmas.

The kids had a lot of fun and I don't even recall any meltdowns so that was great. 

I made James ride the carousel. Since it is usually just the three of us at the zoo in the summertime, I thought he should have a turn and I would watch for once. I caught this rare photo of him actually smiling. I haven't seen that look for a long time. I don't know what made him smile and it didn't necessarily stay on his face, but it was there! I have proof.