Murder Mystery

A couple weeks back Phil and I used our coupon we bought about a year back

yes, a year.

to go to the Murder Mystery Theatre in Taylorsville. 

When we first got there, it was sketchy. We had to practically dance in front of the door just to get it to open.

Good thing we're awesome dancers.

Even though I'd reserved our spots, they ran out of female characters so we were both males. 

Deopholis and Lakhesis.

Did you know those were both male names. Yeah, no-one else did either. No worries!

The pre-show entertainment was lame. Some kind of improv jokes/games. It left a lot to be desired.

Or nothing to be desired as I was ready to hightail it out of there. 

But I'm super glad we stuck it out because once everyone was seated we were thrown into the world of the gods, Zeus and all. Suddenly, there was a murder!  Hades' three headed dog was no more.

 Then it was up to us to figure out who the culprit was.

We went from god to god, room to room, actor to actor, back and forth, putting together the clues to unravel the mystery.

Kevin and Heather and little Henry too joined us and it was our teamwork that lead us to the top.

We were the first to find Hades a new dog.

Candybar reward, thank you very  much.

And even narrowed the suspects down to the very exact .one.

Time passed by really fast and we had a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it. Certainly entertaining!

In the end I asked for a photo with some of the cast and they asked, "like who?" and I said "anyone? everyone?" and by-golly that's what I got.

Everyone.

Top row left to right: Artemis, Hermes, Ares' servant, Zeus, Hercules & Aphrodite
Middle row left to right: The two fates, Athena, Poseidon, Hades, the dog, Kevin, Henry & Heather
Bottom row left to right: me, the fates eye, Phil, & Ares

Such a super time. 

And what's better than an out-of-the-norm date night with your friends?

that also increases your mystery solving self-esteem?

Great!

sweet satisfaction

So I love this. And experienced it today so I needed to share.

I don't love it love when you're driving and the person behind you for some reason needs to get somewhere so superly speedily fast and they're like riding your tail. 

Then they finally decide to go around you, switch lanes and zoom off.

"Fine"

But I do love it when you get the next set of lights and who is next to you?

"Voila"

Mr./Mrs. speed demon. That is the best thing! I am certainly glad that they were so frustrated with my 'slow' driving and had to leave me in the dust to get to their destination that much quicker.

Then they're just right next to me at the light. Yesir your speeding around me didn't do a darn thing.

Muahahaha.

So glad I can gain happiness from the small things in life.

Skates

So I've watched my fair share of US Figure Skating Championships this weekend and re-lived my child ambition.

When I was young, for a good year or two when you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was "a figure skater". They're just the best.

I grew up watching begging my mom to let me stay up late to watch the competitions with her, loving Michelle Kwan and Scott Hamilton's back flips.

In fact I remember watching that exact performance when she wore the above red outfit. Yesir.

I didn't realize I was missing my fix so much until I earlier this month when just happened to turn on the TV and saw the US Champtionship on. (thank you karma!)

It has been great. But what is even better?,

Phil. Figure skating in his BYU pjs and bed head. Triple lutz-ing it up in the front room.

Welcome to our home. Professional and....not so professional skating consuming our weekends.

Love it.

rude...or just normal?

So I was thinking the other day

(or today after such related event transpired...more on that later)

about why we hug each other.

I mean, I understand the basics. My mom taught me those. 

You love someone, you hug them.

You say sorry, you hug them.

You see someone you know is sad, you hug them.

Easy.

But I never learned the "I see you on campus now, I never see you otherwise, so I should hug you" rule.

I'll be honest. I've even been guilty myself of this one.

But why? I don't know.

I mean, I'm not touchy feel-y. And, I know that. Jeez, my poor husband knows that.

But I do enjoy a snuggle or two. Or a good hug that is needed from someone I know.

But today, when that random reached in for the hug as they said the cheery "heeeeeey!" I knew I was not a fan.

And then, it was the double hug with the "see ya later  hug" at the end.

No bueno.

I don't really think I'm rude. I just think I'm normal.

When did it become normal to hug anyone and everyone when you see them?

Not my cup of tea.

No to "heeeey hugs"

No to "see ya later hugs"

No to "I knew you in high school and randomly just ran into you hugs"

No thanks.

(and to all those I do love, I will still hug you. Yes I will)

Remembering

This past weekend we said farewell to a very great man.

Tuesday afternoon my Grandpa Perucca passed away.

When I think of grandpa, I always see his little grin and twinkle in his eye. This was usually because he'd just teased us or had told a funny joke. Grandpa always teased and joked but not in a mean way, we just knew it was his way of showing that he loved us.

His smile was contagious and I honestly don't have a single memory of him without one. Grandpa's smile made you feel loved in an instant.

I always remember going to G&G Perucca's house Great Falls and having snacks galore. We could always go downstairs to the basement freezer and find popsicles to our little children heart's content.  And grandpa bought them for us so mom couldn't say no. :)

Games were grandpa's thing...and are now a Perucca thing. We'd play games I'd never heard of from their games cupboard. His computer had the best monopoly game ever. State of the art back in the 90's for sure. I still remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs on the computer, playing monopoly with my brother.

Whenever grandpa was visiting and I'd be practicing my piano, he'd always come in and just sit and listen, mistakes and all. He always made sure he told me how beautifully I played. It was such an honor to play for him one last time on this earth at his funeral. 

I can't wait until I'll play for him again someday.

 Until next time grandpa,

love you.

bad blogger but good times

I remember thinking just before finals that I would have many-a-great blog posts during the holidays because I'd have oh so much time.  Well...the holidays end on Wednesday and I think I've posted once.

Whoops!

Its ok though because that just means we've been having oobers of fun.
That's right, oobers.

It started off with our good friends, Don & Lisa, visiting from Australia. Once we picked them up at the airport it was like we'd never left. They were with us for 4 short days and we packed all we could in.
- Park City: the boys skied/boarded while we shopped.
 (it just happened to be on the only day it has really snowed this winter. For real.)
- Temple Square
- Thanksgiving Point
- plenty of trips to the shops to check out american prices
 - eating waaaaay too much american food
- and plenty of time just hanging out together
We were so much that I didn't ever take my camera out of my bag. I'll have to steal some photos from Lisa when she posts them. :)

After their all too short visit, it was Christmas Eve. We were praying for at least some snow for a white Christmas but we'll just have to wait until next year. (much to my snow-crazy husband's dismay :) )

Christmas came and went all too fast. I feel like just yesterday we were opening our Christmas pjs on Christmas eve.

We were really spoiled and loved spending time with the family.

Settlers, Rollick, Ticket to Ride and Just Dance were our go-to's.

And now New Year's has come and gone too.

Wow.

We lit some aerial fireworks at Phil's request.

They were awesome. 

So that's it in a nutshell. If I steal some photos from Lisa or my mom I'll post some more...but for now, at least I blogged right!?

Tomorrow we're off to school again.

Whaaaaat?

Happy New Year!

Temple Square

 A couple Sundays ago we made a trek up to Salt Lake to visit Temple Square. Jocelyn had never been to see the lights before so we figured she needed to see it!

I love Temple Square.  Even though its cold, its beautiful and its Christmas so the cold doesn't matter.

 Mom had the nifty glasses that change the lights to stars and snowmen. We loved those will all the lights around.

 The luminaries and the nativities from all over the world are my favorite part or maybe its the lack of people...

Another visit to Temple Square. 

Done and done.