Zoo Lights

For some reason, this post insists on being published out of order.  So, for a few of my loyal readers, here is Zoo Lights

http://blogsarespecial.blogspot.com/2014/12/zoo-lights.html

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.

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.

November

Wow! November has nearly passed and I haven't updated this blog at all. Here are some pictures of what has been going on in Binggeli land.

One Saturday,  the kids and I went to McDonalds!

Molly has been taking karate lessons through community education at Taylorsville High School. The main teacher has had a different helper each week.  The week during this picture below, the helper was this lady with a German accent.  Molly really liked her and she participated the entire time and did a great job!  In true Molly fashion, unfortunately, she isn't 100% cooperative every week.   I just don't know what to do with this girl and all her dramatics (maybe next I need to find her a theater class).  My purpose in karate is to just expose her to different things and see what she likes.  I don't want to overschedule my kids, but I think new experiences are important!  We have 2 more classes of karate and then I'll see what's coming next!

Because Molly was so good during the picture above, we went for ice cream afterwards!  

Jack's choice - chocolate with M&M's.  

Molly's choice - caramel with gummy bears.  

On my Dad's birthday I got to go with him to the Utah football game.  It was late, cold, and the Utes lost to Oregon, but otherwise it was fun.  I haven't been to a football game since before Molly was born.  It's just too long, too cold, and too crowded to try to take the kids (if there were even tickets available).  I had fun with my dad and thanks to my mom for tending my kids!

We had a Petersen family outing to Disney On Ice.  Molly loved it and thought it was the coolest thing ever.  Jack got pretty antsy and spent some time on the concourse.

The picture above show the remains of a black eye Jack got from crashing into a table at school.  The kids also went on a field trip to Discovery Gateway the same week and he fell out of the helicopter, splitting his lip open.  It's still a little tender.  I hope this kids survives all his bumps and bruises.

We had our first light snow of the year.  The kids were excited to go play in it!

Molly and I went to Murray High's performance of "The Sound of Music."  It was pretty well done and Molly enjoyed most of it.  The only drawback was that it was REALLY long.  Molly fell asleep on my lap during the second half and went she woke up was near a melt-down so we snuck out before it was over.  

Molly, of course, fell back asleep on the way home from the musical.  I found the other two members of our family like this when we got home.  I guess Jack doesn't mind his head being used as an arm rest.

This was the second snow of the season. We left to go to the grocery store and found that there was only snow in our neighborhood and rain everywhere else.  I think we live in the frozen tundra with our own climate.  

That's all for November (at least until Thanksgiving this week!). 

We are excited for the holidays!