A week in Utah

Last week we got to be up in Utah to be with family for Thanksgiving. Originally we were going to drive up Tuesday night (by the way...driving through the night is the ONLY way to go with a baby on board!) but then Ryan found out he had to be in Denver for an interview on Tuesday so we ended up driving up Friday night so Ryan could just fly out of SLC. Anyway, we were really glad to be able to spend the extra time with our family! (Sidenote: because of this extra time we were up in Utah, I had to forfeit my ticket to go to the Dancing with the Stars Semi-finals with my sis, mom, and aunt. This was quite the sacrafice I had to make especially when I heard about the Celine Dion sighting. I can't fully explain as it still brings a tear to my eye. For more on this, click on my sister's blog on the right (The Banners))

Here's our little Utah cheerleader with her cousin Alex

Ryan and his brother, Steve, having a little too much fun with the Wii (I think they were boxing.)

and Guitar Hero...

On Wednesday we all went to see the movie Enchanted (which by the way...so cute!) After the movie, the kids found this little bathtub with a strange monster in it. So they decided to hop in!

That night we went to our friends, the VanLeeuwens, to have a little Omaha reunion and throw a baby shower for our friends, Steve and Cammie, who are having a little boy in January. It was SO FUN to be with all of them again. Within the first two minutes of being together, it felt like no time had passed at all! Because this was probably the first baby shower for the guys, we thought we'd make them do some of the typical baby shower games. Here they are tasting different jars of baby food. It all came down to a "taste-off" and Adam was the proud winner. They also played a very creative game of Memory.

Adam taking a heaping spoonful of the Turkey babyfood.

The Heffner, I mean Van Leeuwen boys.

Ella LOVED playing with all of her Omaha friends again!

Me and the Cammie with her cute little baby bump!

Ella with her Aunt Debbie on the way to the Jazz game.

Speaking of the Jazz game...this was probably the highlight of the trip for Ryan. We just had normal tickets for the game but Ryan's sister and brother-in-law had great seats right on the floor! They were probably the best seats in the house! They were on the floor about five seats down from the Jazz bench right next to the score table (at least I think that's what that table is.) Anyway, Cindy and Chris were generous enough to let Ryan and his brother sit there for the first quarter of the game. Ryan was like a little kid in a candy store! He was SO excited. He shook hands with Sen. Oren Hatch who sat a couple seats down. He was high-fiving the players as they walked by. He was standing right next to Jerry Sloan when he was arguing with the refs. It was seriously more fun watching him than watching the game! Anyway, here are a couple pictures he took...

Our favorite little Christmas elf!