SLC and the Jazz II

This past weekend the Westside TeNgaio's, along with the Hubbards and Waldrons, hit the megatropolis of Salt Lake City to watch the Jazz and Lakers play.

We are not sports fans really but a chance to see a NBA game so close to home sounded like a good time. Despite a winter storm on the drive down the trip was a blast. The kids loved the game. It helps that there is an abundance of loud music, lights cheerleaders (Madi loved them) and the Jazz mascot, BEAR.

We got an invitation for the game through Tam's work, (INL), for a reduced price. We were lavished with prime rib and the fixin's pre-game at the E-Center as part of the package and then chilled to watch the game. We've never been to a pro basketball game before. It was pretty damn fun. It's funny to see people get soooooo worked up over games. We had the pleasure of some drunk loud-mouth behind us to fill us in on all the "positive" aspects of each player. It's crazy that some people get so loaded and drop the f-bomb so blatantly even when they are with their kids. I figured all his raving lunacy was just part of the game until I started noticing several people, even from rows away, turning their heads to check out who was making suck a ruckus. Not us, we were chilling alongside some old folks on either sides of us. Funny crap I tell you.

Ethan, Britt, Jeff and I got to go on the floor at the end of half time ad high-five the Jazz as they came back out onto the court. Ethan was amazed at how tall the players were. Then he got to meet the BEAR mascot and get a pic. The icing on the cake was Jeff getting a picture with the Jazz cheerleaders, though.

BTW, the Jazz pretty much cleaned house the entire game. The Lakers (who I thought were going to win) played lousy. The fans were going crazy, especially in the 4th period. A ton of energy in that place!

After the game we all donned our custom made beanies (thanks Tamera) and walked over to Temple Square to check out the Christmas lights. Pretty cool but they didn't have the lights on at the manger display. Oh well. I like looking at the architecture on the old buildings downtown so I was happy. On the way back to the hotel, Britt and I stopped to check out this cool blown glass sculpture in the theater/concert house(?) near the Temple. It's several pieces of red blown glass compiled into a 40' sculpture of craziness.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and uneventful. One thing that Britt and I have come to a conclusion though: we need a new bed. It's pathetic when the hotels you've stayed at in the past year have better beds then yours own at home.