Date Night

We were able to go on our first date since little Van was born. We took him along with us but he slept the ENTIRE time. He didn't wake up til we were back home and the babysitters were safely home. We met the Stanclifts and Dickmans at a place called Costa Vida. This is the same place we went for my birthday. I like it better than its Utah counterpart, Cafe Rio. The pork is sweeter and the ice is better. After gorging ourselves and watching USA's U-20 team beat Brazil's 2-1, we headed off to the Bowling Alley.

Brunswick Zone was the bowling alley we went to. It was the nicest one of the 3 we've been to. It has laser tag, a pool hall, bar (which you know we just love) and a photobooth that Tim and Shannon loved. The bowling was fun. We had the lane for an hour and all 6 of us were able to get a game in. Marshall started off strong and confident. The rest of us were trying to get our bearings. Shannon pulled off a turkey with 3 strikes in a row to overtake Marshall midgame. Tim started catching up late with a couple strikes and spare of his own. Bree and Janna both had strikes and I was left entering the 10th frame down 30 pins to Shannon, who was the leader in the clubhouse.

I have to let you know that entering the 10th, Marshall was down 9 pins to Shannon. All he had to do was roll a strike or a spare and then have the extra ball to win it. He rolled what seemed to be a perfect ball when it left his hand. Unfortunately he left the 9 pin standing in the back. He just had to knock it down for the spare and ultimately the win. He was at the freethrow line and all he had to do was hit it for the championship. He let it go, it looked good, it rimmed out. He missed it by the slimmest margin. Marshall - 135; Shannon - 136.

I considered myself out of the running around the 3rd frame when I couldn't do anything. The ball rack was in the way of my normal starting spot. I couldn't get over enough and it was just not happening for me. I even tried a house ball with my old mark with no luck. I went back to my ball and kept trying new things. I threw a few gutters that wouldn't stay on, but on one I did roll a spare-strike.

So entering the 10th frame I was at 106-pathetic, I know. It was embarrassing as the one with my own ball and shoes to be doing that poorly. In the 9th frame I had made an adjustment with my feet to try and get over as much as possible. I stuck with that on the 10th frame as the path of my ball was as close to where it should have been as it was all night. I also pulled back on how hard I threw the ball. Anyway, 1st ball was a strike. 2nd ball was a strike. By this time Shannon was begging me to choke so she could win. I stepped up and threw a perfect ball. Hit the pocket just right and rang up my 3rd strike in a row. So although I tied for 1st with a girl, considering the circumstances I will take that tie.

After bowling we went over to Coldstone Ice Cream and had a nice visit. We are so sad that the Stanclift's are moving back to Utah. They have been so fun to get to know the past 6 months. We are secretly hoping they see the light and stay, but that probably won't happen. We're just going to continue to enjoy them while they are here. Thanks to the Dickman's and Stanclift's for a fun night!