Kali's Surgery

Our niece, Kali, had surgery today.  She just found out a few weeks ago that she had a hole in her heart (ASD).  She had been feeling fine and was just into the doctor for a check up.  She is very lucky that the doctor heard the heart murmur so she could get it repaired before anything happened as a result of it.  The hole was large but they were able to repair it through the femoral artery.  If it had been any larger she would of had to have open heart surgery to repair it.  So it was a relief when she was out of surgery and the patch was in place.  She is very brave and we are so grateful that everything is ok!

Dawson, Melissa, Ryan, and Kali in Primary Children's Medical Center

Tyler and Gael visiting with Kali

Kali with Melissa, Dawson, Kylie, Taya, and Mylie

Daddy-Daughter Trip

Every year I go with Kyle to Baltimore, Maryland for a visit with the Under Armour family.  They always take us to the Preakness horse race because Kevin Plank owns a horse farm and some race horses.  We have a great time seeing and visiting with the other coaches that are with Under Armour and going to dinner and a great day at a spa for the wives (golf for the men).  This year Kyle and I decided that I needed to stay home because the kids needed me.  So he decided he would take Melissa for a nice father/daughter trip before she is married in a few months.  We had planned to take the train to New York for a few days on the way home since I had never been there.  Melissa had not been their either so she and her dad had a great time!  She had never had the chance to be with her dad alone in that kind of a relaxing situation (ie, no work).  She would call me at the end of the day and say things like "Dad was on the curb singing the song New York, New York really loud, it was so embarrassing!"  They had a lot of fun and I am glad she was able to join him on the trip.

Melissa and Kyle at the Under Armour party

Melissa and Kyle at the Preakness

Kyle and Melissa at a Yankees game

Melissa and Kyle downtown New York

Melissa and Kyle in Times Square

Another Nurse in the Family

Today Melissa graduated from Nursing School at the University of Utah.  We are so proud of her, I know what a great accomplishment it is.  It has been 30 years exactly since I graduated from Nursing School at BYU.  You spend a lot of time at school, studying and at the hospital.  Everything is easier when you have a friend to do it with.  Ashlyn and Melissa were cheerleaders together, room mates and nursing school friends.  Elizabeth Adams and I spent a lot of time together in nursing school too, I can't believe it has been that long.  Great job Melissa!!

Ashlyn with Melissa and Jamie with Elizabeth

Kyle and Melissa after graduation ceremony

In Memory of Jay Rudd

Today we attended the funeral for our dear friend Jay Rudd.  It was at his church called "The Fellowship".  There were many stories of Jay shared from those who knew him well.  Kyle was asked to share some things from his relationship with Jay over the years, and I thought Kyle did a very good job showing the spirit that Jay brought to the Utah Football team just by being there.  Jay loved to be a part of the team, he would take film home and watch it over and over and look for things he could point out to the team in his weekly pep talks on Thursdays before the game.  Kyle said Jay was never late and never missed a practice in 9 years.  We will miss his presence around the office, practice, and game day!

Jay and Kyle

Utah Football Scrimmage

I went to the Utah Football Scrimmage that was tonight from 5-7 pm.  The weather was nice and I had a nice time.  There was a small crowd there and it was Junior Day, so there was a large group of boys who will be seniors from the local high schools who were in attendance.  There was a dinner at the stadium after the scrimmage was over.  A lot of the boys had their parents there with them also.

I can't imagine having all these people in my face every day.  This is not even during the regular season.

Wheelchair Basketball

Kyle was asked to participate in this annual wheelchair basketball game where local "celebrities" play against some young men who really do live their lives in their wheelchairs and play basketball.  They are actually very good, better than the celebrities.  It is difficult to dribble and shoot from a sitting position let alone while trying to wheel your chair around either down to the basket or in position to shoot.  So I went to watch with Helen.  It was at Jordan High School and was a fund raiser for these young men.

Of course the local media was there interviewing players

The "Celebrities" are in the light gray.  Kyle trying to dribble and wheel.  Not easy at all.

Utah Boys of Fall

Utah Seniors Season Highlights 2010 


Last night was the annual Senior Dinner for the Utah Football Players.  They had a nice dinner and watched highlights of each senior.  Luther Ellis spoke to us then anyone who wanted to get up and say something could.  It started with Shaky Smithson since he was already on the stand for getting an award for most yards on kickoff returns in the country.  Almost every senior got up and said something; they are all quite shy, different than most would expect.  All of the players spoke about their love for Utah and the profound positive impact it had in their lives.  They also expressed their love for each other and how they would always be there for one another and have each others backs.  During the Highlight video they played the song "Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney.  Seeing the players and listening to this song during their individual highlights was touching to me.  Players move on every year, after they have been here and we get to know them, it is always emotional to see them leave.

                  

A Wedding in the Family!

The most important news of the month for us is Melissa getting engaged to be married to Dawson Kent.  They officially became engaged on March 23 in San Francisco where they were vacationing with Dawson's family.  She called me shortly after it happened and was soooo happy!  So I am very excited for them.  They are getting married July 21 of this year.

Melissa and Dawson by Golden Gate where he proposed.