New Eyesight, Basketball, and Bryan's Birthday

Finally, at nearly 60 years of age, we decided to treat Gayle to lasik surgery. The contacts and eyeglasses were getting tiresome. Here is the "before" shot (Gayle had to stop wearing contacts in order for her corneas to heal properly before surgery). Gayle likes Oprah as you can see by the "O" book on her lap (a Christmas gift from Jesse and Alicia).
The vivacious former Baldwin High (Milledgeville, Georgia) cheerleader, at Hoopes Vision in Sandy, UT awaiting surgery.
Showing off the stylish hat and booties ("shake your booties").
Since we had to see the doc the next morning, it made no sense to drive back in the snow to Logan and turn around again, so here's Gayle resting her eyes with the protective goggles at the hotel in SLC.
The skin flap procedure followed by the laser treatment didn't hurt, but later one of her eyes bothered her for awhile. The warm, wet bath cloth helped provide relief.

Wednesday night Jesse helped our 8th Ward Men's team. Here he is post-game with Kaden Comadena (if you look carefully, you can see Gayle, just two days post-lasik, watching from behind Kaden's right shoulder and without vision aid). Also note that she was the only female I remember witnessing the church ball action.
Logan High alumni now on the our men's b-ball team.

Friday night was men's night out to celebrate Bryan Yarger's birthday. Bryan is Jesse's dad. He was born in '54 while Spence was born in '51. We had dinner at Iggy's in North Logan.
Bryan Yarger, Shelby (Jesse's younger brother), Jared, and Jesse. A handsome lot.
Shelby created a masterpiece chocolate-cherry cake in his culinary class for his dad's birthday. I met Jesse, Shelby, and Bryan back at Byan's place for a piece of the birthday cake. Here are the two brothers removing the protective wrapping from the delectible dessert.
Bryan, showing off the cake.

Saturday morning the senior and young men's players practice together at our ward gym. Jesse had to work a graveyard shift but still came to the practice. He brought Shelby too, who will play with our 16-18 yr. old team.
Three buff b-ball players.

Here are a couple of clips Gayle took.

This clip starts off with Shelby making a basket over his big brother, Jesse. It also features me throwing the ball inbound to Jesse, who brings it up the floor (while Gayle says "that's pretty good"). Jesse's backward pass (I think intended for Josh, aka Bumps) goes awry, only to be recovered by Shelby and leading to a basket by Hayden (Spud) Griffiths.



This clip demonstrates that Shelby, Jesse, and I got in some good exercise. Jesse makes basket at the very end, just as Josh Griffiths's right knee (previously injured) unfortunately gives out and he hits the floor. His orthopedic surgeon wants him to wait till he's stopped growing before doing surgery so he uses a brace in the meantime. We hope the knee heals enough to keep postponing surgery.

We had a great time (except for Josh) and got in some valuable practice. It will be a fun church b-ball season. Go 8th ward!