Las Vegas WCC Tournament; Spending the Sabbath With Sarah

It's that time of the year. March Madness!! 

Those words might not mean much to someone who doesn't know what that means. For Glen it means never-ending basketball games. For me it means Glen watching never-ending basketball games. 

For both of us it means game after game after game after game each day of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament.

Our drive to Las Vegas was pretty uneventful. The weather was beautiful. We just had a minor delay when Glen had to stop at a Maverik Gas Station to pull out his computer to do a little work.

When Sarah texted to ask when we would be arriving in Vegas, I sent her the photo of her dad sitting at the picnic table working--causing a delay in our arrival time.

I laughed when she sent this photo as her response to that news.

Happily we weren't delayed for long and we were able to spend some time with Sarah's family. The little boys were playing in the back yard when we arrived. 

Jonah impressed us with his trampoline flipping skills.

Their family loves to go to Ohjah when we visit them. The boys are always enthralled with all the coins in the fountain and the dollar bills on the ledge.

The fire displays always entertain the boys.

The shrimp tossing at each of us is always exciting to see if it will land in anyone's mouth.

That evening we had tickets to a magic show at the Mirage.

The theater lobby was very impressively beautiful.

We had seen Shin Lim on America's Got Talent and thought he was very talented, so it was a fun time to see him in person. 

We really liked his special guest magician Colin Cloud who was very personable and made us laugh whenever he was on stage. 

We were each given four playing cards and ripped them in half and shuffled them up and kept throwing one over our shoulder as we were performing our own magic trick which left us with two matching halves. 

It was quite the magic trick. It made quite the mess all throughout the theater.

It was a very entertaining hour and a half. So fun to watch something other than basketball games!!!!

Now let's get down to what really took us to Las Vegas. BYU basketball! Happily the BYU men's team won their first game. 

Unfortunately, despite all the screaming and yelling (by the blue-haired fan) they lost their second game. Boo hoo! 

This photo was taken before the final score. Otherwise, I'm sure there would not be such a happy smile on Glen's face.

It was nice to be able to spend the Sabbath Day with Sarah's family during the Sunday break in the tournament. 

Several people in their ward remembered Glen's last visit when BYU had a football game there. He assured them he would be back in the fall to watch BYU play football. One might assume we only go to Vegas for sports and not for family...!?!

Sarah fixed us a delicious roast beef dinner. She said Glen had to earn his dinner by teaching their family Night Light lesson. He did a great job having the boys act out the story of Joseph being sold into Egypt. 

We had the traditional Sunday popcorn and watched a movie after dinner. 

I was enjoying the DELICIOUS homemade cinnamon rolls Sarah had made especially for me. I find it hard to believe I did not take a picture of the delectable dessert!!

I did notice other members of the family were also enjoying them, but I was absolutely touched and thrilled and ever so happy Sarah put in the effort to make them for my consumption.

YUMMMMMMY!!!!!!

Quotes of the Week

 Me message to all of my sisters who may be wondering where their place is in the Church is to absolutely affirm that your place is in the Church...giving your talents and time and abilities to lifting and blessing those around you.

--Jean Bingham

When you look back on what may now seem trying times of service and sacrifice, the sacrifice will have become a blessing.

--Henry B. Eyring

We cannot afford--and this world cannot afford -- our failure to put these gospel concepts and fortifying covenants to full use personally and publicly.

--Jeffrey R. Holland

Rebecca's Birthday; No Santa Dave; Madison's Surprising Birthday Dinner Request

Rebecca had a birthday and we wanted to celebrate with them, so we let her pick her restaurant of choice--Texas Roadhouse. Woman after my own heart!! The rolls are so delicious!!!!

Dallas took a photo of his meal. Apparently he was a happy diner that evening along with the rest of us.

Dallas told our server we had two birthday girls--Rebecca that very day and Madison in a week. They both got a birthday dessert of ice cream, syrup and lots of whipped cream. We walked out of there feeling very full and satisfied.

We finally got a couple of small snowstorms. This has been a sparse-snow winter. This snow was unique. When I looked out the window the snow looked so sparkly. I stood and actually watched the snow melt. The individual snow pellets would pop one by one. It was quite entertaining.

We had to cancel our El Matador date with Dave and Bonnie back when I was sick with Covid. It was good to see them once again as it had been several months. 

I cannot believe how much they LOVE that Mexican restaurant. They are always so willing to drive up to Bountiful to eat at their favorite restaurant. We almost didn't recognize Dave with his clean-shaven face. 

We both agree we don't miss Santa Claus Dave.

Madison very much surprised us when we asked where she wanted to go to eat on her birthday. Without hesitation she said, "Del Taco!!" 

That made us laugh because it was such an unexpected response. Rebecca explained that on their Disneyland trip, they ate at a Del Taco and Madison loved it so much she wanted to relive that experience once again.

Del Taco was completely empty except for our birthday party group. 

Since we were the only ones there, one would think they would be paying lots of attention to us and to our order. Alas, that was not so. Dallas's order was wrong. And the birthday girl's order was wrong.

Madison ordered two hard shell tacos with just meat and cheese on them. They came with lettuce. UGH!!

Second try for Madison's order they gave her two soft shell tacos with just meat and cheese. UGH AGAIN!!

Third try she finally got what she wanted. HURRAH for the birthday girl!!!!

By that time she was so hungry she decided to eat the two soft shell tacos after she finished eating her two hard shell tacos. 

Happy 8th birthday to Madison. We will be celebrating again soon with her when she has her baptism.

But first...Glen and I will be spending the week in Las Vegas going to watch BYU play in the WCC basketball tournament. 

And, of course, we will be squeezing in some time to see Jeff, Sarah and their boys. More about all that in my next post.

GO COUGARS!!

Quotes of the Week

 The path of repentance and forgiveness may at times seem a bit scary and hard to do. The Savior is the Master Healer. His divine sacrifice and love for us are the path to regain the clear and true vision of things as they really are.

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

True Christianity, in which we strive to become like our Master, has always required our best efforts.

--Scott D. Whiting

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we m ight have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

Marvin J. Ashton