What?? My little man is 8 now! He's starting 2nd grade this week! He's going to be baptized soon! He's going to be driving soon! Holy crap, he's going to be moving away to college soon....ok, getting a bit ahead of myself, but man time flies!
JD had a fun little birthday party on the 28th. He invited 4 of his closest buddies to play laser tag. They had a great time getting all sweaty and violent! The party-goers watched Alvin and the Chipmunks on the drive to and from the laser tag joint. I hadn't heard this particular group of friends laugh so hard together so it made me giggle a little.
Afterwards, we rounded up a bunch of neighborhood friends to inhale some cake and ice cream.
Later that night, JD attended his first cub scout pack meeting. Oh my, I've been looking forward to his participation in scouts for a long time, so it was fun for both of us. He'll get his bobcat award at the next pack meeting.
The next evening, our family celebrated JD's "family" party at Chuck-e-cheese. What kid doesn't like this germ-infested paradise?? We had a great time wasting major coinage on silly games. Christian was in heaven! I have to mention that this place tends to attract the lovely people of the world (you know, kinda like Walmart does). One of them (a young kid) kept following Joel around asking for some tokens. Nice. Anywho, the birthday fairy brought JD 3 Star Wars Lego sets (of course) that he spent the entire next day assembling. All in all, he came away extremely elated with how his birthday turned out - mission accomplished!
Now on to a much sadder event: the Michigan vs. University of Utah football disaster, I mean game. So I've wanted to attend at least one football game in the "Big House" here at U of M before moving day. I got my wish this past Saturday. Joel was able to get some nice tickets from someone in his program. I was quite grateful for the seats because I wasn't about to sit in the student section - you have to stand the entire 4 hours! No thanks! After walking at least 20 miles from our parking spot to the stadium, mama's body needed to sit in the shade. That's exactly what I got to do. I felt bad for the rest of the stadium - most of them were in the blazing sun! The exciting part of the game didn't come until the 4th quarter. I was actually standing during a big portion of it - that says a lot! Our poor team has a bit of work to do if they want to be part of the Big 10 again.
Ok, so did I fool you into thinking I'm a football fan? Did I sound all sporty? Well, I'm not. I don't have anything against football, I just don't follow it. In fact, during the half time show, they gave a big award to the famous U of M football coach that just retired. I leaned over to Joel and asked, "...so what did he coach?" He just looked at me like, "...are you freak'n kidding me?" I just laughed and whispered, "Good thing I didn't say that too loud!"
So anyway, here is what I remember most vividly about my experience in the largest stadium in the country: When I caught my first glimpse of the size of the packed stadium, I actually got dizzy. I guess there were over 108,000 fans in the stadium that day! Amazing. When I sat down, I had to get really cozy with this old (ok, ancient) Korean man that kept text messaging his Korean friends about the status of the game. Yes I was reading his phone and not watching the game. Also, I couldn't stop staring at his big wart thingy growing on his cheek. It almost brushed up against me a couple of times, so I had to be on guard. I think the sweaty hair on it did in fact make contact. I'll miss that man. There was another man, I mean woman or man, that will forever remain in my memory of this place - and Ann Arbor for that matter. I glanced back at him (row behind us) once and kept sneaking a peek whenever I could. He was so interesting to look at...he had long hair, an adam's apple and a french manicure. I stopped wondering when he stood up and boomed out (in a very manly voice) an obscenity to the refs. I'm going to miss Ann Arbor. Seriously, I love it. I remember going to our famous art fair one year having to explain to JD why some men like to dress up like drag queens in public. Good times.
Anyway, Joel and I had a great time and I was super happy to have experienced the "Big House" thrill before our move. BTW, thanks to all of our loved ones (back in Utah) that sent those thoughtful text messages to help us through the dark minutes following the game. Couldn't have survived it without your love and support! Yeah, you suck too!
9 comments:
Happy Birthday JD, wow I can't believe that you are eight!
First of ALL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY J.D. or as you like to be called Joel!!!It sounds like you had such a great and memory making day. How fun for you. I hope you'll really get into Scouts and learn and enjoy all of the cool things boys get to experience... Now let's get to the other business... Oh how I wish I would have been able to go to THAT game... Totally jealous of you and Joel. I guess you didn't like my text message on Saturday, since you didn't text back anything. There's something I can hold over you head about
U of U, we kicked it! I do have to say, I couldn't stop laughing at your Korean mole-man story and the other experiences you encountered at the game. I probably would have been watching them instead of the game too. Seriously! Good times, nice visuals...
Happy Birthday JD! What a big man now, getting to go to scouts and be baptized and all! Time flies to fast, bit I've sais that before!
Now I am interested in what happened at the game. I had no idea they were playing and who won etc. I am about as big as a follower as you Heather! But it is fun to attend games and feel all that excitement around you! It sounds like you had fun, and that wart man is something I will never forget now! Oh and one funny thing, at my first NFL game experience this past weekend in Seattle, I too was graced by the presence of the he/she variety. Good to know they are thriving in all parts of the country!
I laughed pretty hard reading about the Korean man. Poor Elder Nathaniel! I wonder who he is teaching, and how many hairy warty things they have growing? Anyway, JD, we can't wait to see you soon (and Camryn and Christian and of course Joel and Heather!)
sounds like a great bday party for JD! I can't believe he's 8--what a big man! And if it makes you feel any better, you can know that there were at least 2 Michigan fans in the state of Utah pining over the result of Saturday's game. I will never watch a football game with rival fans again; that's how horrible it was! ha
What a birthday!!!! Tell him Happy birthday for me!! I love your style of writing Heath. Way fun post!
Heather: Good game. Maybe Utah will win over BYU. Don't think so! Happy birthday to JD, and kisses to the rest of the clan. They are building a Chucky Cheese in Layton. Can you believe it? Things don't change much in the big scheme: birth; growth; school;Pocatello; heaven. See, your more than 2/3 of the way already. Love, Mom and Dad
Utes rock! I can't believe that was your first game at the Big House! You will definitely have to go another time before you move.
It was sad game, but I am glad you got to go. One of my favorite parts is walking to the stadium before the game with the masses of drunk students everywhere and the drummer guy that sings about people walking by, did you see him? My boys also love chuck-e-cheese, we had quite a few winter family outings there, I know what you mean about the lovely people of the world:)
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