Thursday, December 29, 2016

Christmas 2016

Christmas this year was absolutely wonderful.  We began on Christmas Eve with the traditional opening of Christmas pajamas.
On Christmas morning, Sean gave me strict orders to be at the house at 8:30 but I was a little bit late because of the snow (I actually got stuck in the driveway).
Sean got a lot of games for his Xbox One, a new TV, and a cool chair for playing his games.
Tashena got a new bed and lots of clothes.
Marilyn made quilts for Sean and Tashena in the Bountiful High School colors.  Tashena was really excited because she can take it on the bus to her away games.
I got a Fire Stick, bluetooth speakers, lots of movies, and some new boots.
After opening presents we had a fabulous dinner of chicken cordon bleu.  Most of us had naps after dinner (Sean played with his games) then we played a mean game of shanghai rummy (Tashena won).  In the evening, Kristine, Marilyn, Tashena, and I went to see the movie La La Land.  I was a little bit worried because I had really talked it up but Kristine and Marilyn loved it (Tashena kept asking me when it was over).  It was a great day!

Note:  For the record, I have now seen La La Land three times!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Lights at Temple Square 2016

Friday night I decided to drive downtown a little early for a Utah Symphony performance because snow was predicted and I knew there would be a lot of traffic.  However, I ended up getting downtown really early so I decided to walk to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights.  It was extremely crowded but I have to admit that the lights are beautiful.
The lights at Temple Square will be on display until January 3.  Go here for more details.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Quarters for Christmas 2016

Last week I helped my officers to sponsor a campaign to raise money for Quarters for Christmas.  My officers worked tirelessly to make this campaign a success and the students of Hunter High were incredibly generous this year!  We were able to present a check for $2,107.20 (the most we've ever raised at Christmastime) to KSL for a segment aired on the news.
Deanie Wimmer, one of the anchors on KSL, met with the officers and graciously thanked them for the donation, spending a considerable amount of time with them.  It was really fun to go behind the scenes to see what happens during a news broadcast.
I am really proud of my officers and the students of HHS for helping to make the holidays better for the children of Utah.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Sing

On Christmas Eve my whole family went to see the movie Sing and we had so much fun!  Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey), an impresario with a cash-flow problem, devises a singing competition to save his theater by promising a reward which is more than he can afford thanks to a mistake made by his secretary Miss Crawley (Garth Jennings), a green iguana with a troublesome glass eye.  After a lengthy (and hilarious) audition, several competitors are selected.  Rosita (Reese Witherspoon) is an overworked and underappreciated pig who gave up her dreams of stardom to be a wife and mother.  Gunther (Nick Kroll) is a flamboyant and attention-seeking pig who is partnered with Rosita to give her act some flash.  Mike (Seth MacFarlane) is a white mouse who is a talented, but extremely arrogant, street performer.  Ash (Scarlett Johansson) is a punk-rocking porcupine with boyfriend problems.  Johnny (Taron Egerton) is a mountain gorilla who wants to be a singer rather than a member of his Dad's criminal gang.  Finally, Meena (Tori Kelly) is an elephant with a beautiful voice but is debilitated by shyness.  Each of them must overcome enormous odds to get to an epic final performance.  There are over 85 classic songs as well as an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande.  It was really fun trying to recognize all of the songs.  My favorites were "Golden Slumbers/ Carry that Weight," "Butterfly" (which Tashena sang out loud), "Bad Romance," and "Call Me Maybe" (which we all sang out loud).  Just like most animated movies for children, there are quite a few funny references that only adults will understand.  Both Marilyn and I laughed and laughed when one of the characters had a Sunset Boulevard moment (we were the only ones laughing in the entire theater).  The plot is definitely formulaic (I've heard it called Zootopia meets American Idol) but it is a lot of fun and it is especially appropriate for families wanting to see a movie over the holidays.

Note:  While the rest of us saw Sing, my Dad saw Rogue One at the same time.  He loved it!
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