Deuce, Deuce

So, this last Monday, Heath and I were able to attend a charity event that I've been helping out with for the last couple months. Part of the event included a silent auction, cocktail appetizers, dinner and live auction. It was actually a really fun night! (I'm pretty sure Heath and I were probably the only ones drinking sprite.)It was especially great to be part of the culminating event-- the Pat Tillman Leadership Award Ceremony. One of the recipients was Deuce Lutui. He actually attended Mesa High, went on to play for USC and now plays for the Cardinals. He's also a member of the church. It was really great to meet him and his wife and hear about the good things they are doing to help others. He was such a great, down to earth guy. Meeting him was the highlight of the night! This is the part of my job that i love! Being involved with something good for the community and giving back. It's so great to work with people that are so generous and humble. They also had a special presentation about Pat Tillman, which was great to see. I never knew much about him before he died, but Heath did. It's so amazing that he gave up so much just to serve our country!!

Not quite a devil yet....

Okay, so those of you who know me, know I LOVE sports. (It's pretty obvious considering I've worked for Sport Court since 2004) I love playing them (esp. tennis, eventhough I'm not that great...but mostly I love watching them.) I think my love for sports began in high school when I started as a Freshman Cheerleader. I seriously loved watching the games from my cheer stool or on the sidelines, and I'm sure a cute quarterback probably had something to do with my initial interest. I got into the games too..probably a little more than most girls. I think it paid off especially because in my job, I need to know about sports because I am constantly working with pro athletes and sport fans and it's quite fun!!

So, this last Saturday, Heath and I went with our friends, Amber and Travis to my first ASU Game! I got amazing tickets from my friend at KTAR for a suite! In Heath's words, this was my first "real" football game! He thinks because BYU didn't have people drinking and smoking and cursing at the refs, it wasn't a "real" football atmosphere. However, I found it totally the same! Everyone around us was passionate about winning, there was the same hot dogs and hamburgers, the same crazed fan that questions every call, and the one section that keeps on cheering no matter what. But nothing ever got out of hand. I expected a lot worse!!! It was fun experiencing the suite, but after the first quarter we went and sat with the crowd, and it was sooo much better to be in all the action and feeling the excitement in the air. There's nothing like it. It's the same with basketball and baseball games, you just can feed off all the energy from the crowd. So, if you haven't already, go experience a football game this year! 'tis the season :)

P.S. I'm still a true blue BYU fan, but the Sundevils are growing on me :)

The Eye of the Beholder

I've never been one to see the miraculous images in FOOD. And although, this is certainly no pancake with the face of virgin mary, it comes close. I have to share this cute story. The other day Jace was eating this piece of CHEESE and after he took a couple bites, he said, look mom, a flag. I thought...right. Then, I looked at it and sure enough there was a flag. He even started waving it. I thought it was so perceptive of him and just reminded me how smart he is getting!

Our Story

Our Love Story...so I was tagged last week by Rachel but I am just getting around to this. So...for those of you who don't already know, our story is quite unconventional.

Where did you meet your husband?
This is quite a tale. We were set up by...umm...mutual family friends, lets say. We grew up our whole lives hearing about eachother's families but never met. We wrote a couple times during his mission but not much. After he got back, we started talking on the phone, and after 3 months, Heath drove up to Utah (BYU) to meet me. So, I guess you could say I met him at my front door.... in a RED sweatshirt that I'll never let him get rid of.

What was the first thing you said to your husband?
I'm not sure. We spent many late nights on the phone. We developed a great friendship before we even dated.

Where was your first date?
We went bowling and dinner at this restaurant called Tucanos.

Where was your first kiss?
Seriously, I know it's cheesy...but on top of a mountain. Spook Hill to be exact, for those of you who know the Mesa area. He went to great lengths to make it memorable.

Did you have a long or short engagement/courtship?
We met in September, dated long distance for 7 months. I moved to Arizona during the summer to live by him and work. Then we got engaged in September and married two months later. November 30th! Coming up on our 5th anniversary.

Where did you get engaged?
He took me to the Scottsdale Hyatt Regency Hotel to walk around the gardens and fountains there. it was gorgeous!!! There was a mini-beach, pools everywhere, waterfalls, fountains, garden and vines draping everywhere. He took me to a small bench near a lake and proposed. Then we sealed it with a romantic gondola ride. It was super romantic and a little surreal.

How was the honeymoon?
I loved it! We went down the California coast from Malibu to Delmar and last to Shelter Island near San Diego. We still talk about it because it was so unbelievable fun. We played tennis, took walks on the beach, went downtown, shopping, sight seeing, included Coronado Island, which was a little eerie. The best part was our rooms were upgraded every time we told them were on our honeymoon! We went to the best Mexican restaurants. Plus...we couldn't beat the weather.

I love reading these stories too. It's always fun thinking back and remembering
how you fell in love with your hubby. I tag Maren, Cyndi, and Jaryn.

Bunko Baby

Last Friday, I went to my first BUNKO group! These girls in my ward put it together and it was sooo much fun! It's totally a game of luck and everyone gets a prize in the end. This was my first! The theme was home decor! How cute is it! I was eyeballing it the second it was revealed because I knew it would fit great with my colors. I was so lucky to get it!!! I put it on the wall that night. :) It was so nice to have a girls night out and just eat and gab and have a good time. Next month is couples Bunko night and we'll be dressing up for the Halloween occasion. I'll be sure to post pictures....:) The costume is still in debate.

Sister to sister we will always be---a couple of nuts off the family tree :) - anonymous

Last weekend, was our Winn Family Girl's Weekend!! We had a blast! Last year, we went to St. George and this year we stayed at Alison's in Hungington Beach. The best part of the whole trip was DISNEYLAND! Ali's friend got us all in for free! And after going back and forth on whether to bring Jace, that made up my mind....when was the next time we could afford Disneyland!!!!! He did so well! I was very impressed. Plus, my mom and sisters helped out so much! Thank you!!!! We also couldn't have picked a better day...there were NO lines. The only line we waited in the whole time was for the new Finding Nemo ride, which was fun for Jace. His favorite rides were the train ride, carousal, Small world, a Bugs Land of Cal.Adventure, and he LOVED the Playhouse Disney live show! (Bear in the Blue House, Pooh, JoJo, & Stanley)

The rest of the trip was filled with the beach, shopping, pedicures, The Office marathon, in-side jokes, yummy food, bonfire, and relaxing!...Oh, and forgot to mention we all got soooo FRIED at the beach on Saturday!!! I had fun with Jace there, but next time, I will be flying solo and chillin with just the girls. :)

P.S. Pictures to come....

Back to School

Jace started Miss Maren's Monkey Preschool again last week and he's already having so much fun and making some great projects. He loves it! The first day took a little warming up, but now he loves going and I think daddy has a harder time than Jace. (he drops him off). He loves his teacher, Miss Maren, who tells us he is quite the crafter. He loves the glue, scissors, & coloring time. They made this flag in honor of Septemeber 11th. We hung it up on the fridge with his other masterpieces and he loves seeing them. He says, look, my pictures. It seems like his vocab is improving every day, which I think he picks up some great habits from his good friend and fellow schoolmate, Elliot. :) 'll be sure to post more of his fun projects so you can share in it with us.

Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum

Okay, so this is the first of many posts because our lives have been a whirlwind and I'm finding it quite hard to catch everyone up on the last couple weeks, but I'll do my best. These are some recent pictures of our sweet Jace. He can't get enough of music. At first, I thought it was just a phase, but he's clearly shown it's something he loves. I thought this picture was quite appropriate considering Jace definitely marches to the beat of his own drum. He is definitely a spirited child with more energy and personality than you can imagine! He excels at anything he tries....except listening to his mom. We're going through that figuring out how to discipline stage. We had our first trip to the local Peter Piper Pizza place and he did nothing but shoot hoops and run around. He just never stops. His motto seams to be why walk, when you can RUN! He's fast too. I love him so much for who he is can't get enough of his excitement and zest for life.