The After Party

After a nice, quiet Christmas day at home, however, the pace picked up. We were soon called south for several noteworthy events:

*A Jazz game. All the adult Hunters and spouses went, plus Hunter, Jack and Graham. We had a box. John Huntsman's box. But it gets better - it was fully catered, ice cream sundae bar and all. But it gets better - we also had third row seats we all got to take turns sitting in. But it gets BETTER- suddenly President Monson - the prophet of the Church - walks into the box with his son and grandsons (and security detachment) to watch the game! We all have a nice chat over fajitas, hoops and chocolate mint chip with hot fudge. It was just us and them - I had to keep reminding myself to breathe and not to giggle or stare too obnoxiously. But wait - it gets BETTER! Jon Jr.'s (the governor) kids show up and say they don't want their courtside tickets anymore because they're leaving, so would we like to use them? Um, YES! So we all got turns sitting right in Boozer's face, reading tatoos on the players' arms and feeling like superstars. To tell the truth, if you're there for the game, the view from the box was better but it was so dang exciting to be right on the front row. Really, who's life is this? Who gets to do stuff like this? It was a little surreal, but hey, I'll take surreal every now and then. Especially if Pres. Monson is involved. AND caramel sundaes.

*Watching the kids put on show after show on Nana and Papa's stage in the basement

*Seeing New Moon again with Mom, Abby (who'd never seen it), Hillary and my dear friend Christy Knight.

*Heading south to Richfield to stay with Gram, Grandpa, Scottie and Kenzie. More presents, and lots of canines:

*Playing cards 'til late

*Riding HORSES! Gram set it up with some of her neighbors (ah the blessings of life in the country) - it was even indoors! One of their ward friends does dressage. We loved their two sweet ponies. All the kids got a turn; it was a huge highlight of the trip!

*A mini-trip down to Cedar City to see Gary's brother Ron and wife Mary Beth, with a stop at our family favorite tepanyaki restaurant, Samurai. YUM! Spencer thought so too.

*Back to SLC for part of Gary's Christmas present from me, tickets to Hale Center Theater's The Importance of Being Earnest. Then real life decided to kick in again and we had to say goodbye to dear family and head back to Rexburg. School, clogging, and lots of Christmas toys await!