Fiesta Bowl!

After quite the New Years party last night, today was a more relaxed day. Jeff even slept in until after 8:00!! We had successfully convinced the kids (some were a little harder to convince) to stay an extra day in AZ before Jeff took the kids back to Utah. (I am staying an extra week to help Nichole out after her surgery and to see some friends.) Technically, they start back to school tomorrow, but luckily they didn't mind sticking around today. The girls spent the day in a Harry Potter movie marathon at my parents' house

Dallin, me, Danny, Jeff, Kelsey, Mark, Colton, and Tyler 

. Dallin joined the other boys (minus Jeff and Danny) at the movie theater where they watched the new Hobbit movie. Danny stayed with Jeff and me at my parents' house. My niece, Kate, also joined us. Papa took both Kate and Danny to the park to feed the ducks while I started cleaning up some messes and getting ready to pack up the Pilot. That evening, Ryan, Tyler, Mark, Kelsey, Colton, Jeff, Dallin, Danny and I headed to the Phoenix Cardinal's University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale to watch the Fiesta Bowl. Baylor University was going up against the University of Central Florida. UCF eventually won the game 52-42. I think this was the first time the boys have been in a professional sports stadium. At one point, Danny asked me if the entire population of Utah could fit inside. I had to chuckle a little with that question, but I assured Danny that Utah was still a little bigger than that. We all really enjoyed having that experience. I think the kids really enjoyed the vacation overall. I'm sure the girls were ready to get back to their bedrooms and their friends, but I think they enjoyed just relaxing (and all the easy access to shopping). I love watching the kids develop relationships and create memories with my family. I don't know why I have been blessed to be so lucky. I know 2013 had its extreme highs and lows, but I am constantly amazed at the resilience and openness (is that a word?) of the kids. They have been so great at opening themselves to new experiences and relationships. I look forward to another great year full of memories, family and fun! Welcome 2014!!