Nuggets.

On Tuesday (3.26.19), Mar's choir, Versailles, sang the National Anthem at a Nuggets game. This was a fun (albeit expensive) opportunity for all of us to attend our first NBA game in CO. We've only lived here how long? Oh yes, 17 years haha.

Bill and I had attended quite a few Jazz games back in our Utah days, and we watched many more on the telly (especially when my Grandma G. was alive -- she was a huge Jazz fan).

Taylor had two straight years of Jazz-themed birthday parties when the Jazz were tearing it up at the playoffs. Tay also had a Jazz-themed bedroom during much of our Kearns years.

Since living in Denver, it's been a little hard to get behind the Nuggets. Some of that probably due to our fierce Jazz loyalty (which has dwindled over the years btw), and some due to the fact that the Nuggets just haven't been that... interesting. Not to mention, we are cheap, and those tickets are 'spensive, Weezy. BUT, when your child is singing the National Anthem, and you get "discounted tickets" ($60/ea haha), you bite the bullet and GO.

It was a lovely evening.

My second time EVER at the Pepsi Center 

(the first was to watch my nephew wrestle at State last month).

The choir had taken the light rail downtown, so they got to watch warm-ups and peruse the Pepsi Center for a bit. We met up with Mar when we arrived, made a potty stop, spent too much for a drink (for Mar) and some cinnamon roasted nuts (for me -- seriously, they're like popcorn at a movie theater -- the smell pulls me in and I just can't resist), then parted so she could go get in her spot... which happened to be right above our seats.

She was, unfortunately, in the second row of singers, which made it tricky to get a shot of her.
I recorded the jumbo-tron, Bill recorded the girls. I've included both video clips for your listening and viewing pleasure.

The game was super fun.
(And the $60 seats were pretty darn good.)
The Nuggets won, but just barely, which was a little shocking for us since we headed out after the 3rd quarter and the Nuggets had maintained a healthy lead (20+) for most of the game while we were there. But it was a school/seminary night, and Bill had a lesson to prepare.
Obviously we were there for the best part anyway... the National Anthem.

We snagged a couple of fun pictures on our way out.

The city at night is so pretty... this picture doesn't do it justice.

Now for a few true nuggets:

(I've needed this reminder the past couple of weeks)

And finally.... I saw this on FB and thought it was super cute
(and will probably share with my Seminary class next week as we gear up for General Conference) :

(make sure you turn the sound on! 
The little speaker on the bottom right ;-)

An occasional reprieve.

Life has felt busy and hectic lately. 

That's not to say we don't have an occasional reprieve.

Here's a quick recap of a few of those:

March 8th

I went with a fun group of ladies from my ward to a dinner theater in Boulder.

 I laughed a lot. It's true, laughter is {some of} the best medicine.

Bill, Lex, and Emmett went to see Captain Marvel that night. Bill had said a prayer that M would be good and let them enjoy the show... and they literally beheld a miracle as he fell asleep on the way, slept through the previews, woke up briefly just at the movie was about to begin {eek!}, but then promptly fell back asleep. Yay! Movie success for Bill and Lex (and a nice dad/daughter reprieve).

March 9th

We decided to change our office-turned-sitting-room BACK into an office. Hah. My friend Vernet had done a wood wall in her basement, so I thought it would make a great addition to our office transformation. Billy-my-hero did a bang-up job while also watching M so Lex, Mar and I could attend Stake Women's Conference, which included dinner and some great speakers/messages.

March 12th

Another regular day at the office, but Bill and I decided we needed to celebrate #31 by going out to dinner. We decided to try the fun little restaurant called Manna located inside our local hospital. (Yes, I said HOSPITAL. Fitting for us elderly folks haha.)

 The company was THE BEST, the food was yummy, and it's literally 5 minutes from home, which was perfect for a quick little getaway.

We got home in time to snuggle in and wait for the bomb cyclone the next day.

The school district called a snow day nice and early, so we knew we got to sleep in and have a reprieve from early-rising for seminary. Woot woot!

March 13th

 No seminary. No work (for me or Mar -- Bill worked from home).
Jammies ALL. DAY. LONG.

The biggest bummer about the snow day was that Mar had a choir concert that evening with a big solo part, and because school was cancelled, ALL school activities were cancelled. We were hoping her choir teachers would reschedule the concert, but they sent an email out saying that there just wasn't an available day. Hmmmm. I'll keep my thoughts about that to myself.

We called and wished a happy Birthday to Britt, and I worked diligently on an Insta story (one of my first) -- our internet was terrible that day, so I'm not sure Britt even saw it until the next day.

(I'm still a little impressed with my Insta skills hahahaha)

We love you, Britt!

March 14th was a school snow day also (= no seminary again), but Bill and I went into work that day.

March 15th

Mar and a couple of her friends had tried out to sing at graduation, and she was informed that they were one of the three groups selected to perform. Her high school holds graduation at RED ROCKS -- an amazing venue here in Denver (the Tabernacle Choir has performed there). 

MAR GETS TO SING {ON STAGE} 

AT RED ROCKS.

We thought it was awesome enough to celebrate (plus Lex and Emmett had cabin fever from staying in the house for three solid days haha), so we headed to dinner right after Mar got home from work.

Mar's choice = Cheesecake Factory.

March 17th

Warm enough for a walk to the park around the corner from Gigi and Little Billy's house.

The play area was surprisingly still snow-covered, but V and M had a great time anyway.

March 19th

Since we were stuck at home for Mar's LAST Spring Break (thanks to my lovely part-time job... for a CPA office... and it's "busy season"), we decided to take Mar back to that awesome Dolby theater in CoSprings to see Captain Marvel. 

It. Was. Awesome.

March 23rd

Bill suggested the girls and I get out for a bit... and offered to watch Emmett.

I think it was a welcome baby-free reprieve for Lex, and Mar is ALWAYS up for dinner out.

We had all been trying to eat healthy all week... and perhaps had a moment of weakness as we decided to try The Shake Shack. Lex had mentioned she wanted to go there before her big move to AL, so we decided to check that off her list. It was yummy. 

We did a little shopping at the outlets before heading home to find Little Billy and M chillaxing and enjoying a little March Madness...and that doesn't only refer to the basketball games going on haha. 

Here's a little update from today on Jase and Lex's house:

Things are getting exciting!

I'm trying to gear up for another busy week (no snow days in the foreseeable future) of early seminary, part-time jobbing, and a few haircuts thrown in. We are looking forward to our girls trip coming up in a couple of weeks... I'm sure another brief reprieve will be needed by then!

Birthday x 2 on the 2nd (and 3rd).

Since Emmett and I {and Dr. Suess} share the same birthday, and since we were blessed to have Emmett so close on his FIRST birthday, I wanted all focus to be on him on the big day.

Lex had planned a cute car-themed party because Emmett is obsessed with cars.

She also made this awesome balloon garland FROM SCRATCH (with packing tape, a hole punch, and balloons). Seriously, my girls are much more creative and capable than I have ever been.

Lex (with a little help from Jason) frosted the cake... great job, peeps! It looked amazing.

It took Emmett a while to get into party mode... can you tell? Haha.

Little Billy always gets a smile :-)

Emmett's friend Josie came with her mama,

cousin Evie (+ Aunt Nae and Uncle Tay), {Great} Aunt Robyn, cousin Cole, and Mar's friend Jake also came to celebrate with us.

Emmett loved all of his presents, and I was so happy this fun little tunnel was a hit. 

There's that it's-my-party smile!

Emmett also loved being sung to...

...but wasn't a huge fan of the smash cake tradition.

He got by with a little help from his friends.

Happy first Birthday, sweet boy!!

On Sunday we had the fam over to celebrate my birthday... and my birthday gifts {fondue pots}.

Three courses, Melting Pot style.

I was spoiled by my sweet family. I am seriously so blessed.

 

(Evie loves a good sniff of anything that smells good)

(Bill celebrated with us, too... we didn't get any pictures together, darn it!)

I received calls and texts Saturday and Sunday from my Utah kids & grandkids, parents, and in-laws.

I love my family!

 Such yummy food and company -- and such a good day.

I had gone to lunch Friday {March 1} with a fantastic group of ladies I am blessed to call friends.

I am so grateful for each of them.

I received some sweet gifts, including these beautiful flowers 

(some from Lex's friend Sydney -- so thoughtful!).

Thank you all, for helping me celebrate.

My current favorite song:

One Less Day by Rob Thomas

"I'm not afraid of getting older.

I'm one less day from dying young."