Jazz vs. King James

I lucked out and got invited to the Jazz vs. Cavaliers game last night. I saw some amazing things:

• Lebron James making at one point 3/4 shots from half court during pre-game warm up. Seriously, what other player on any other team would the coach allow to take about 25 shots from half court while the rest of the players are practicing shots they'll take in the game and stretching.
• A white guy blocking King Jame's dunk attempt. It happened in the first half when Kyle Korver rejected Lebron on a fast break.
• An amazing run by the Jazz bench to take a 12 point lead with less than 4 1/2 minutes left.
• Lebron James scoring 36 points including 18 in the fourth quarter when he single handed took over the game and led his team on a 22-4 run, turning a 12 point deficit into a six point lead in less than three minutes.
• Lebron's fourth quarter dominance included two deep three point shots (maybe those half court shots help) and dunk and foul in traffic.

What I didn't see was the Jazz's rally from six points with 25 seconds left. Seriously, who would think it a risk to beat the traffic. I mean what are the odds that an undrafted rookie on the last day of a ten day contract is going to hit his first ever three point shot to win the game at the buzzer. Exactly what I thought.

New Year's Celebrations

Don't let it be said that we don't know how to have a good time celebrating the new year. After considering such options as a drunken party, salsa dancing, mud wrestling, etc. we settled on going to a movie and putting together a 2,000 piece puzzle. Before you minimize our accomplishments you should know that the movie started at 10:00 pm and we actually stayed up until midnight (in our time zone). We took the kids to see Avatar in 3D at the local IMAX theater. If you haven't seen it - its got to be in 3D and preferably at an IMAX.



We went to dinner with Mom and Dad at Johnny Carino's over the holiday break.

As a warm up to our 2,000 piece puzzle, we completed this 750 puzzle of Time Square.

This puzzle of Las Vegas took all of us nearly two full days. Even the dogs helped, eating seven pieces before we were able to finish. Since no one was willing to follow the dogs around the yard to retrieve the pieces, we ended up with a 1,992 piece puzzle.

Christmas

Here's hoping every one's holidays have been enjoyable. We have certainly taken advantage of taking a few days off from work to spend time together. Our Christmas was simple and relaxing. Darren appears to be relaxing a little too much in his snuggly gifted to him by a "good" friend.


Camryn went retro with her hula hoop. She should have been born decades earlier because she really new how to rotate her hips.

Our traditional Christmas morning picture of the kids. We still make them wait at the top of the stairs before rushing down to see what Santa brought. We think that Taylor and Darren still believe.

Las Vegas - City Center

Kristi, Darren and I went to Las Vegas last week for work and a little relaxation. Darren and his friend Quincy had purchased tickets to a concert by Muse and we thought it best to accompany them. The timing worked out well as I had to be in town to help test rooms in the Aria Hotel which are controlled by my company's technology. The Aria Hotel and the City Center development which opened this week are amazing. The complex consists of three hotels, three private residence towers, a shopping complex, a convention center, a monorail and a theater where the new Elvis Cirque du Soleil show will be shown.


The project cost $8.5 billion dollars and was the largest privately funded development in the world. They had to hire 12,000 people and almost all of them were there last week being trained. It was amazing to see the coordinated effort involved in opening a hotel of this magnitude.

Our technology controls the guest experience in the room from automated blind control to lighting and welcome scenes.

The above picture is of one of their standard guest rooms. The high roller suites which are on the top four floors are unbelievable. I'm sure I'll never set foot in that type of hotel room again.

The above picture is of the bath in one of the luxury suites.

We all had to wear hard hats and reflective vests.

Benefit Concert

Last night's benefit concert and dinner was fabulous. Hilary put on a beautiful performance - if you haven't purchased her new Christmas CD you should get it to enjoy during the holiday season. A couple of friends from High School came to the event as well as business associates and long-time friends. Thanks to everyone for their support of the shelter which really is a worthy cause. It is easy to take for granted how blessed we are to having loving relationships and supportive families. As usual, the atmosphere and meal at LaCaille were top notch. During the holidays LaCaille decorates their grounds with lights that help bring extra holiday spirit.

Taylor came to the event with us this year and enjoyed the grown up food and her Aunt Hilary.

Jill Wankier and Michelle Warner, fellow Alaskans joined us for the evening.

Beautiful St. George

For the third consecutive year, I was required to work a Friday and Saturday in St. George. The first day of work was at Sunbrook and the second day at the Ledges. Our "work" sponsor was unable to go so I scrambled at the last minute to put together a team which included my cousin Glen and a couple of friends. For the two days our score was 21 under par. The "work" teams were broken into two flights with the winning score in the first flight 43 under par and the winning score in the second flight 30 under par. The weather was wonderful and has convinced me that we need to plan to purchase a second home here some day.



Uncle Jack joined us on the second day. He and Glen carried the team.

Greatest Birdie of My Life

First of all, this story will confirm how pathetic my golf accomplishments are. I'm in St. George this weekend to play in a golf tournament along with our good friend Bart, my cousin Glen and an associate from work. Bart and I drove down together and being early, we decided to get in nine holes of golf this afternoon at Green Springs. After an uneventful (double and triple bogeys aren't eventful) round I found myself with a 190 yard approach on the par four ninth hole. I pulled out my trusty four iron and hit a beautiful, hooking shot into a house about 50 yards from the green. The ball bounced off the house and to within two feet of the hole. I calmly tapped in for what was certainly the greatest birdie of my life.