What a great time to be a Ute!

Well Benjamin,

By now I’m sure Jacob filled you in on the Utah BYU b-ball game. All I can add is ITS SUCH A GREAT TIME TO BE A UTE! Seriously, I hoped they’d win tonight, but I must admit, I didn’t think they would. I took off from work a little early, with the permission of my boss Mike. Your brothers took the day of at their jobs, so we left as soon as mom got home. My summary of the game: first half, boring. I was kinda wishing I was somewhere else. The Utes looked tentative, down right timid. Second half: down by 16. My main thought was, “great, now Jacobs going to be grumpy the whole way home. Last 6 minutes: we’ll, maybe at least this won’t be embarrassing. Last 20 seconds: wait, what is going on here? 0:00 left on the buzzer: this reminds me of the old days. Overtime: I knew the Utes were going to win the whole freaking time....pffft. But seriously, that was a fun game.

On the football side, I’m getting sick of all the playoff talk. Not that I haven’t been dreaming of it myself. But A: we are playing in the PAC-12 championship game for the second time, are you kidding me? that right there is a giant deal. B: we’re playing Oregon, hate them or not, they’re still a great team and will not be rolling over for us. C: IF we are able to win, we get to go to THE FREAKIN ROSE BOWL! Why is nobody excited about that? When we got in the Pac-12, that was an almost an unimaginable dream. Now suddenly it’s not enough? Sports fans are dumb, and I’m super dumb these days.

In other news, we’ll, there’s not too much other news right now. Aunt Patti started her new second job today, I need to find out how it was for her. A whole herd of people are coming over to watch the game on Friday, it’s fun to be with friends for a game. Saturday we’re going over to aunt patti’s to make tamales. I’ve always wanted mom to learn how so she could swoop in and, as she does, surpass everyone else. Oh, and for some reason, boy I am packing the weight back on. Mom says it’s because I like my job, I think it’s because I’m a pig by nature. So in the next few weeks, maybe after New Years, your brothers will roll their eyes as I begin my yearly calorie counting routine...how fun.

Well, I’m writing this in bed, my ears still ringing from the game, thinking of you as usual. Hope your lesson with Jing happened and went well tonight. I really appreciate the pics you sent mom (Mongolia looks suspiciously like California} I can picture you, your fellow missionaries, and your teacher’s better when I am wondering what you’re doing and when I pray.

Sure love you kid,

Pops