University of Utah football team played in the Sugar Bowl and it was cause for another spontaneous family get together. Our old TV of 20 years finally died so we had to get a new one. This is a large Panasonic screen with HD capabilities. Watching football on that screen is like being there.Paul and Rebecca + kids, Douglas + some of his kids came for the show. John, Kaley and Grantli (up from Florioda) were there in various stages of health. Mike and Rayanne and their family were here already. Joseph had to participate in a family project for his merit badge and decided to bring his parents and brothers and sisters to help Oma put away and store the Christmas decorations which is an unbelievable chore. So we all gathered around.
There was quite a bit of trash talking of the Utes by all except for Mom and me (alumni). Doug lived in Alabama and some kids were born there so the feeling was high. We have a family of nutso BYU fans who also like to see the Utes get beaten but not today.
There was a snow storm going on and the snow interfered with the direct TV reception. People had to run out and clean off the dish and we missed two Utah touchdowns.
We could not believe the ferocity that the Utes went after the "Crimson Tide" who had been ranked #1 in the nation for half the year. It was a tremendous win and the talk turned to "Why isn't Utah the #1 College footbal team?" The Utah players all had the initials JBW on their helmets honoring their biggest fan, the late Joseph B. Wirthlin. Maybe it gave them the boost because they were fired up like never before.
Half time there was Kasefondue supervised by Opa. We made this in Cathy's Xmas gift; a Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot which made the fondue perfectly. Tummies were filled and time to get back to the game. I missed another touchdown cleaning the Fondue pot!
No family get together is complete without a (friendly ?) board game. Here all are gathered for 'Settlers' which occupied the second half of the football game.Sometimes family relations are strained as I believe we have raised the most competitive kids around. Doug manages to win these games amidst some mumbling.
Well the holiday is over and what a blast it was. Not everyone came last night because whenever the family gets together, there is always an outbreak of some illness.. usually a nasty variety of flu and it was not so bad this year but several remained home treating themselves or avoiding the gathering for public health reasons. I say it is good to get together... it builds the immune system... I never get sick!
Alles Gute und ein frohes Neu Jahr
Opa u, Oma
13 comments:
The Utes did good. I am glad that they won. Thanks for having us over it was a blast!
-Rachel
Dad - thanks for hosting such a great football party. We had a great TV, great food, great football, and great company. The stakes were so juicy and spiced just right. I think my kids each had a stake of their own. It is good to see the Utes take on a top BCS tema.
Doug won the settlers game using an unusual strategy - he had four settlements, longest road, largest army, and two victory points. He deserved to win using such a risky approach.
Thanks again and happy new year!
Hey Dad--we didn't hear about the Utes game get together. Looked like you had fun.
I'm jealous of the fondue... how many batches did you make? Did you make your own bread? I want to see your reaction of joy when Cathy gave you the fondue set.
Emily.. it was pretty spontaneous and there was a blizzard as well. It was fun
Love Dad
Hi everyone we have gotten a lot of snow in Spokane--61 inches,28 roofs have collapsed. We are looking forward to oma and opa's visit for Julius' baptism. Anyone else is welcome on Jan 24th. Maybe Elder Wirthlin was helpingf the utes from upstairs, as Utah was fortunate Alabama's best player-- their left tackle, was ineligible for the game. Left tackle is ther most highly paid position in professional football. Still the win (together with Texas elimination from the final game) may push for some type of playoff--my suggestion would be a CCS -- take the top four ranked conference champs and have them play off and still have the bowls as a constellation for good teams.
Hope all is well,
Jeff -- from Rob's blackberry.
The suspended left tackle for Alabama obviously hurt their chances, but overall Utah played a much more intense, physical and fundementally sound game. As Barry Switzer said after the game, Utah had one great offensive quarter and 4 great defensive ones. I was happy to see the underdog win.
DAd--I heard you did a Natalie imitation when you received your fondue maker. Did you video tape it?Funny!
Cathy gave me the fondue pot just as we were leaving her New Years party and I did the best Natalie imitation. All the cameras came out but they did not catch it as well as you caught Natalie.
We made a great fondue during the Utah game and that pot makes it easy. First time i made one from scratch.
I guess Mike made it home alright. It was a white knuckler for Becca until Paul threw a coat over her head so she did not have to watch as they skidded and made it back home.
LOL.. Dad
Rob and Jeff.. nice to hear from the Spokane corner. Utah played your bradn of football Rob... down and dirty. They sacked that quarterback so many time, I thought he might break out crying. I have watched the Utes play all season and never saw them play with such ferocity..O loved that game. Football is in our familuy genes.
My Dad was the first Wirthlin to play at Utah and he was one the first team that won a conference championship. Elder Wirthlin used to go and watch him play when he was growing up.
Look forward to our visit there
Alles Gute, Dad
that fondue looks good!
Thanks for the fun party, Dad. It was a good game, too - other than missing some great plays because of too much snow on the satellite dish.
The fondue was PERFECT!!!!
As for the drive home, lets just say, I was nervous in the snow even though Paul covered my head with a coat.
Great victory by the Utes! We got off the plane and home in time to watch the second half. I thought the JBW initials on the helmets was a nice touch and must have given the players a little extra boost.
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