Utah 38 Georgia Tech 10

What a game!! I have to admit I wildly underestimated the Utes in this bowl contest. Everything you read going into the game was 24th ranked Georgia Tech, a 10th ranked defense, they felt disrespected, and so on. It didn't look good for our Utes. However, there's a reason that you play the games. Utah came out and totally dismantled GT. The closest they even got to the Utes was 20-10 at halftime, and they never scored again.

It's hard to figure this Ute Squad out. At times, they are such a dominant team, capable of competing with anyone. Other moments, they look awful, losing 4 out of 5 and almost throwing the season away. Such is the plight of a Utah Fan, they win enough to keep bragging rights alive - but not enough to jump to the next level. All I know is we better keep Ratliff as the starter next year, what a stud!!!

Too bad Cougar Fan, maybe you'll find a way to win a bowl game some year. Check with the team up North, they've now won 5 straight!!!

Boys' Day Out (Sort of)

Earlier today I spent some time engaged in some very manly activities (nothing involving Brokeback Mountain, thank you very much). My dad wanted to take the boys to breakfast so Jason, Coleton, Kristin (like I said it was sort of a boys' day out), Dad, and I went to Dee's. The natural challenge was to see which of us could tackle the Lumberjack. I don't know what it says about me, but I was able to polish off the jack with little effort. I am getting so fat!!!

Later in the afternoon we went to see King Kong, another manly activity. This time it was Jason, Coleton, Brant, Kerrin, Madison (again it was sort of a boys' day out), and me. Alicia was very concerned with Kong's scare factor for Coleton. I had seen the previous two Kong movies (1933 and 1977) had there wasn't anything terribly scary in either of those films, so I assured my sister that there was nothing to worry about. Okay, so there was something to worry about. Kong wasn't scary, but Peter Jackson decided to make the natives of Skull Island look like Orcs from the Lord of the Rings. In about two minutes of natives onscreen we had a guy get speared, voodoo women with their eyes rolling back into their heads, and another guy get his head bashed in with a club. Not really family entertainment. We quickly covered Coleton's eyes so that bad dreams could be averted. Mission accomplished (I hope). Other than the natives, there was another scene with some giant bugs that wasn't really for a 7 year old. Oh well, live and learn. Coleton seemed to enjoy the film and it got a big "thumbs up" from me. Overall, a pretty good boys' day out (sort of).

Christmas Morning Conversation

Yesterday morning, Kennedy and I sat down to discuss the Holiday Season. She may not be old enough to know much about Santa, but she knows what Santa says. For a little holiday cheer, we also talked about Homer and what he says. Seasons Greetings from Morning Conversations.

Click here to listen to our holiday discussion.

Merry Christmas

After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve, today turned out to be quite low key. Kennedy is still too young to get into the "wake up at 5 am to see if Santa came" routine yet, so we woke up about 8:00 and spent the next little while helping Kennedy open her presents. If you tear the wrapping paper a little bit, Kennedy is pretty good about finishing the job. It's funny though cause I think Kennedy is just as interesting in the paper as she is in the present intitally. Once you take a minute to show her how cool the new toy is she'll jump in and start playing, but with so many new toys it was a little bit of sensory overload for Kennedy. Among her favorite new toys were: 2 Baby Einstein videos, a pop up ball toy, a play phone, a duck that quacks, and a book about bees (she likes to make a bzzz sound).

We went to Church around 12:30 (I don't know how this happened, but I was lucky enough to speak and Tara said the opening prayer) and afterwards Kennedy went down for a two hour nap. Good thing she slept so long because the rest of the night was spent over at Alicia's house for another round of presents and a wonderful Christmas dinner. I guess I should mention that Kennedy's all time favorite toy from yesterday wasn't even hers. Alicia and Evan gave their kids a miniture Jeep that Kennedy wouldn't leave alone. She honked the horn, and pretended to steer. She was a real natural behind the wheel. Obviously she doesn't have my distain for driving! I guess we know where we'll be playing for the next several months.

Overall, it was a nice day and a great chance to spend quality time with my family. I think it will be even better next year when Kennedy starts to understand the whole Santa Claus thing, I know I am looking forward to helping her with a plate of cookies for Santa! Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Lighting the Way

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is our Ward putting luminaries throughout the neighborhood. I think it started about 15 years ago when I was still in high school, but it has become a staple on Christmas Eve. Earlier today I went over to G.R. Mather's house (he is the mastermind behind the whole project) and helped fill white paper sacks with sand and candles. All in all there are about 1500 sacks that line the streets in the 4th Ward neighborhood. Sounds like a big project, but the results are spectacular. As Tara mentioned we took Kennedy for a walk around the neighborhood and enjoyed listening to her "ooh and ahh" at all the pretty lights. It is one of the simple ways we remember that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus.