And We Did It!

Take a lookie....this article was published in the Deseret News this morning and announces the winners of this years Itty Bitty Contest.

Contestants search high and low for Itty Bitty Salt Lake City clues
By Elaine JarvikDeseret News
Published: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 12:09 a.m. MDT

"Here I am again, a sucker for punishment!" wrote Anna Beth Mecham on her entry for our 16th annual Itty Bitty Salt Lake City contest.

She didn't find all the answers but says she had a good time trying — even though, as she wandered downtown streets in the rain, she was "mistaken for a homeless person; a homeless person's friend, Marjorie; and even offered money from kind (LDS) conferencegoers!"

As usual, the contest challenged participants to match our clues — photos of tiny fragments of architecture, signage and other landmarks — with the real thing in a 20-block area downtown.
Clue No. 12 proved to be the hardest: an etched smiley face above a mountain ridge, on a water meter cover on the south side of 300 South, in front of the Utah Department of Commerce.

Larry Biddle of Stansbury Park spent 40 hours and only found half of the answers but reports cheerfully that he got a lot of exercise and ran into a friend from New Mexico he hadn't seen in four years. Biddle is a novice Itty Bitty-er. Some entrants, including Daniel Stober and the Ron Case family, have been doing the contest for a decade or more.

This year's winners, chosen randomly from all 74 correct entries, are:

First prize (a night on the town, including a stay for two at the Hotel Monaco, a $100 gift certificate to Ruth's Chris Steak House, two tickets to "Noises Off" at Pioneer Theatre Company, a $30 Gastronomy gift certificate and a Megaplex gift package): Allen and Kristie Soward and their family of Salt Lake City.

Second prize (light pink and lavender pearl necklace with diamond clasp by David Yurman from O.C. Tanner): Leonard and Judi Jensen of Salt Lake City.

Third prize (two tickets to the University of Utah vs. TCU football game plus two hospitality passes and a $50 gift certificate to FANZZ from the Utah Jazz): the Shaun and Heather Stevenett family (including itty bitty Itty Bitty-er Hallie, 18 months) of South Jordan.

Fourth prize (two all-day mountain bike rentals from Canyon Sports and a $25 gift certificate to Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore): Robert E. Monson of West Jordan.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Who Wants a Pumpkin

School Days

Today was Chase's first day of kindergarten. He was so excited to go that he wanted me to drop him off at school when I took Brody this morning and he would just wait there for afternoon kindergarten. He thought I was an idiot when I told him he had to eat lunch at home and then come back for kindergarten...he said, "What do you think the lunchroom is for?"

When I picked him up he was eating a hostess cupcake with a note attached that said "My first day of kindergaten was a piece of cake" I read it out loud and Chase responded, "It really was."

He said he meet two new friends that he played with all day. I asked Chase their names and he said, "I havn't asked them that yet." Good thing I have Chase around to always make me smile.

Chandler started Junior High School last Monday August 25th and Brody started 4th grade also on that day. Chandler loves it! Brody not so much. When we ask Brody why do doesn't like it he said, "Its school mom, who likes school."

Chase at the carshow.

Last night the kids went to the antique car show with Grandma and Grandpa Atwood. In the middle of browsing at all the cool cars, Grandpa asked Chase, "What is your favorite car so far?" Chase answered, "The icecream truck."

Oh You Think So

Chase: I know what my name is in Hawaiin.

Me: What?

Chase: Sexy

The 4th of July!!

Oh ... we love the 4th of July! We headed up the canyon to partake in pancakes, bacon, eggs and orange juice. It was a great time! The kids found a treasure map and went on a Pirate Treasure Hunt. They loved it!

We headed over to the Gateway to run through the fountains to build up a apetite for "Sky Box" where we had a late lunch. We won't be eating there again. It was horrible.

Before fireworks, we cruzed over to Grandma and Grandpas' house to recharge. Some took naps (Shaun and Dad)

Little Fish

Swimmin' at Brookie's

Dippin' & Divin'

Splishin' & Splashin'