Stephen left work a little early and after the kids got out of school, we headed down to SLC. We always park at the Crown Burger for Jazz games because you can park there free if you eat dinner there. We usually are running to get to the Jazz game on time, so we inhale our meal and sometimes eat it on the walk to the Arena. But this time we got down there so early that we were almost the only ones there, so we got to pick where to sit and were able to sit and enjoy the meal, which has never happened for me.
Can you see how much room we had?
When we were done there was still quite a bit of time before the game, so we decided to walk around. We walked over to the Energy Solutions Arena (old Delta Center). We wanted to show the kids the John Stockton and Karl Malone statues. Then we had to answer questions on who they were (only Kylan knew who they were).
The kids were amazed by Stockton's and Malone's hand and foot prints.
The kids wanted to see how they measured up to Karl Malone.
Beck with K.Malone's shoe prints.
Hunter with K.Malone's shoe prints.
Kylan with K.Malone's shoe prints.
Gavin with K.Malone's hand print
Beck with K.Malone's hand print
Hunter with K.Malone's hand print
Kylan with K.Malone's hand print. I was surprised that there isn't as big of a difference in Kylan's hand and K. Malone's considering Karl Malone is 6'9".
I don't know what time they start letting fans into the Arena, but the doors were still locked and lines were forming. So we decided that we would walk around the outside of the Arena and maybe head towards the outdoor mall that is close by. As we walked around the back of the Arena there was this cool Jazz Bear van outside.
As we went around the corner, we saw that a door was open and they were letting some people in, so we decided with Gavin we would rather walk around inside and let the kids look around. Plus, we didn't have any money to spend at the outdoor mall anyway.
At past Jazz games they have asked to look in my purse, then they just scan your tickets and you are on your way. This time was a little weird because they didn't check my purse but they scanned us with a metal detector wand. We had to stand with our arms and legs spread while they ran the wand everywhere. We thought that was weird until they asked if we were with the dance group. We had come in the back door where only the performers are allowed.
Luckily, since it was almost time to open the doors, they let us in. We walked around a little. Then, since there was almost no one in the Arena I decided to try and show the kids the court a little closer than where our nose-bleed seats are.(They really aren't that bad but they are upper bowl). The past few years, there has been an usher at the door and you weren't able to pass without a lower bowl ticket. I am guessing that they are there because so many people try and sit in different seats and sneak down from the upper bowl. So I just planned on being able to stand at the top of the stairs and look down to the court. But since we were there so early, the usher said that we could go down and watch the players warm up. We could get within 4 rows of the floor. Then you could stand by the tunnel and try and get the players autographs as they ran into the locker room. Kylan was in heaven as he stood there trying to get the players to autograph his jersey. I was surprised as how many he was able to get.
Kylan in the mix of people. Can you see his light blue hat?
After a while we decided to get to our seats and get situated before it got crowded.
The kids were excited when the game started and Memo had an awesome dunk.
Gavin sitting on dad's lap with his bear claw!
Gavin being such a good kid sitting by mom and dad.
The three oldest boys loved watching the Jazz play.
At half-time we walked around and got a treat. Here are the kids showing off their "hands"
I think this was the best part for the younger three boys. They still talk about the Dipping Dots.
We had a lot of fun and will try and do it again next year.
So now onto the game! Try your hardest with no cheating. You can not use Google, your neighbor, spouse or anyone else or anything else. Try and use your best judgement and let's see how well everyone can do.
Kylan got 6 autographs. Let's see if you guys can tell who signed his jersey.
The 2009-10 Jazz roster is:
Carlos Boozer
Kyrylo Fesenko
Sundiata Gaines
Othyus Jeffers
Andrei Kirilenko
Kyle Korver
Kosta Koufos
Wesley Matthews
C.J. Miles
Paul Millsap
Mehmet Okur
Ronnie Price
Deron Williams
And they are coached by Jerry Sloan
I will put numbers next to the pictures. In a comment, tell me whose autograph is in each picture. If I get a lot of comments, I might throw in a Jazz themed prize for the winner.
Good Luck!!!
