Vegas....BABY!!

I guess we have a family tradition
of attending the Mountain West Basketball Tournament~~
It started in Michael's freshman year at BYU--
Ron and I met up with Michael, Jessica and their friends
and had a great time--and Michael somehow
got a used car out of this trip!!
Two years ago, during his senior year,
we met Steven and Meredith
at the tournament--
and enjoyed the games with them.
Somehow, Morgan and Jacob
attended and graduated from BYU
without us taking them to the tournament--
I don't know how that over-sight happened...
but while I was visiting SF Jacob mentioned how
much he'd like to attend this year...
and later that night Ron called with his Valentine gift
to me-- a trip to Vegas to watch BYU play--
I brought to his attention our neglect of our daughter and
son-in-law--and he quickly remedied the situation--
Jacob had a free flight available so Ron used our timeshare
points to book our rooms!!
And the tradition continued...
but with a different twist...
we had taken a girlfriend (Jessica)
a newlywed (Meredith)
and this trip we took a BABY!!

Here we are in our
"you got jimmered" shirts
(thanks to Jacob and Morgan)
with Baby Matea wearing
Riley's BYU cheer outfit!!

Morgan and Matea...

And the cute BYU family!

Jacob was able to find us tickets...
BYU section all sold out FAST--
so he went to his New Mexico connection
and our seats were on the border of
New Mexico--San Diego and BYU !

All the fans around us were very fun--
I think because we had such a cute baby
with us...
and Morgan even had request for photos
with Matea and her cool headphones!!

First game against Colorado...
my first time to
see Jimmer---LIVE!!

what an amazing player...

they won the game...but didn't play very well
made us nervous to face New Mexico

and Matea slept thru most of it....

but woke in time to see the win!!

after the games we went and checked in--
nice units....
in fact Morgan and Jacob pointed out that they were
larger than their SF apt!!

Next morning we took Matea swimming for the first time...

Ron had picked out her swimsuit while
we were in Maui!!

like a little red teddy bear!!

cute California family...
but so pale because they live in SF!!

Is my baby really old enough to have a baby!

Matea just closed her eyes and enjoyed the water

in good hands....

after swimming we went shopping--
Matea was ready for the outlet malls

Ron put her in the Bjorn carrier and
walked around with Matea while we shopped...
every time I went to check how he was doing...
he was talking to women...asking about "his baby"
didn't realize what a "chick magnet"
carrying around a baby was!!

here she is afterwards in her car seat...no worse for wear

then we had to get ready for our next game with
New Mexico...
new outfit...but with a Blue and White headband
that I made
(thanks to Jessica's instructions!!)

the crowd went wild during this game
where Jimmer scored his record setting
52 points!!

we were kind of nervous being surrounded by
the opposition...
but just like yesterday,
everyone was nice...loud...but nice!!

and again...Matea was the star and
slept through the cheering!!

On Saturday we met up with my nephew Jeremiah and his wife Amber--
Jeremiah has a great band that plays in various hotels on and off the strip...
It was fun to see them and get caught up on what's happening...
but somehow I forgot to take any photos...
so sorry....

Matea, conserving her energy for
the big Championship Game

she is such a cutie...
Morgan and Jacob are doing such
an amazing job...

look at that face!!

she was the smallest BYU fan there!

After arriving late to the previous game because
of TERRIBLE traffic...
we left in plenty of time for this game...

Singing the fight song
"Rise and Shout...."

and getting her photo taken with the
Cougarettes!!

even though BYU lost to SDSU--
it was a great tournament...
we FINALLY beat NM and
Jimmer scored his 52 points
now on to NCAA and March Madness...

Saturday night we watched Matea so
Morgan and Jacob could have a date night
and see the Cirque de Soleil Beattle show "Love"

The joys of babysitting...
watching this angel...

such an impish face...
so cute!

playing and smiling for grandpa

getting big enough to lift her legs...
go Matea go!!

Only trouble with late night shows...
early morning flights...

here's the best way to travel at 5 am
ASLEEP!!

We had a great time with Morgan, Jacob and Matea...

and now we have completed the circle of this tradition...
except....we do have the next generation.....
Go BYU!