Utah Football Week 2....Utah vs USC

Week 2 of Utah Football found us in sunny California at the LA Coliseum playing the University of Southern California Trojans.  There is hugh tradition in this football program.  Lots of Heisman Trophy winners and National Championships.  We flew into Ontario Airport which was half way in between USC and Lanae and Cachi's where we spent the night.  We got to the stadium about 3 hours before game time.  It was perfect....we didn't feel rushed and could enjoy the festivities.  The area right around the stadium was pretty safe but you got a block or two away and it became really scary.  Since Bill was going home on the team plane, Austin, Whitney and I would be finding the car by ourselves in the dark so we opted to pay big time and park right across from the stadium.  It was worth it for a little peace of mind! 

The game was so exciting.  Griff returned punts although they only punted one to him.  All the others they kicked away from him.  He did play a lot at receiver.  It was so much fun to cheer him on.  We hung with them the whole game.  We were kicking a field goal with 11 seconds left to tie the game and it was blocked.  Such a hard defeat, but we showed everyone that we could play with the big boys!

GO UTES! 

Oh, one of the highlights for me was that Louis Zamperini was one of the honorary captains of the game. He was an Olympic track athlete that was taken as a prisoner of war in WWII in Japan.  I just read the book, "Unbroken" about him.  It is an incredible story of human will and survival.  He was there and was honored at half time.  It brought tears to my eyes to see him standing there at 96 years of age after enduring so much for our country to have the blessings of freedoms that we do. 

    We knew we were in the "big time" when we saw parking rates......

So fun to be together.....and is Daddy-O standing on his tippy-toes to look taller than Aust or me?

                                Such an awesome stadium.....

                                 Walking through the tunnel to our seats....

                                 Austin's dream....Go Utes!

                                 Griff warming up......

                   Griff and one of his best friends on the team, Luke Matthews.

                     I will sure miss this guy next year when he in on his mission....

                             Griff's #1 fans....Whit, me, Aust and Daddy-O!

This picture was taken by the Salt Lake Tribune......Griff is such a competitor & great athlete.

Happy Birthday Princess Kira!

Princess Kira turned 3 years old on September 6.  My life was changed forever when she was born 3 years ago.  I simple LOVE being a grandma.  It takes me back to the years when our own children were small with those sticky finger hugs and the "I wuv u"(s).  I love that Kirstin works at our home so that I get to see them everyday and play with Kira.  When I am getting ready in the bathroom, she will come up and brush her teeth or put on her make-up and we just visit.  I cherish the time with her....for some reason I have more patience with my grandchidren than I did with my children.....sorry guys!:)

                                                           The cutest princess ever!

Kirstin and I attempted to make a castle cake......

Kirstin did a fabulous job on the princess cupcakes with crowns.  She made the crowns and they are edible.

                                                                  So happy to be 3!

Kirstin made this cake for her party at her house.  She always gives them a special touch!

We all got crowns and all felt like princesses.  I love my girls......

Happy, Happy Birthday Kira.....Oh, how we love you!

Utah Football Week 1...Utah vs Montana St.

Are you ready for some football.......we are!  The Utes are in the PAC 12 conference this year.  Their first game was at home against Montana State.  Ryan, Caitlin and Kalli came with us.  Kalli was all decked out in her "U" jumper.  She was a little trooper.  She was so good through the whole game. 

Griff was #1 at punt returning.  He also got to play at receiver.  It is so much fun to watch him.  He is so talented, but we have always known that.  Since he was a toddler, football has been his focus.  We are so grateful that he gets to live his dream.

The Utes struggled a bit on offense. However,there was never a worry that Montana State would win.  Hopefully, it was the first game jitters and we will be ready to play the PAC 12 schools.

We were so excited walking to the game......Me, Cait, Ryan and Kalli.

                                    Isn't she cute......One of Uncle Griff's biggest fans.

                                                                  Run, Griff, Run!

This was a punt return that Giff got and then this guy drilled him.  Griff was slow to get up....that gets a mom's heart pumping.  He held on and thankfully he was okay.

Samantha Hunn is attending Law School at Utah so we get to see her at the games!

Such beautiful girls......Jenny Fitzgerald, her husband is also a receiver, and Whit.

What a special treat....President Uchtdorf was at the game.....hummm....a Utah fan....I think so!

Ram Football....Weeks 1, 2 & 3

Here we go.....with school starting and Fall in the air it means only one thing....FOOTBALL!  We are a football family, we love to watch our sons play and we just love the game.  Austin said that he wasn't going to play this year when fall camp was about to start.  He finally told us it was because he was having a hard time with one of the coaches.   When Bill explained to him that that coach wouldn't be his coach and he wouldn't have to be around him, he decided that he really did want to play.  I am so glad he did.....he is starting at corner and he doing a fantastic job! 

The Rams first game was against Skyview in Logan, Ut.  The Rams won and Austin had an interception.  He was so excited.  The second game was against a team from Carson City, Nevada in the Rocky Mountain Rumble in the Holt Arena.  Griff was able to watch Aust and he had a couple of teammates that he had brought home, Kenneth Scott and Luke Matthews who also came to the game.  The Rams had no trouble handling them and had win #2.

The Rams third game was also in Holt Arena against Woods Cross High from Utah. The Rams struggled in the first half and found themselves down 21-9 at halftime.  They came out fired up in the second half and ended winning the game 30-28.  Aust got another pick.  He is playing so well.  It is so fun to watch him.  Go Rams....3-0! 

#20....Austin McNabb....that's our boy!

Are you ready for some football.......

Great cover Aust!

#20 is ready to rumble......

All Good Things Must Come to an End.....

I have the conflicting feelings when school starts in the fall.  I love having the kids home and just being able to be together as family.  I love doing things together and the warm lazy days of summer.  So...on one hand I dread school starting again.  But....I remember how I looked forward to school starting, new clothes, new classes, being with friends, etc.  I was always ready to go back when August rolled around.  So...for that reason I look forward to school starting.  I could tell that the kids were getting restless and were ready for school. 

For the first time in 20 years, we have no children in elementary school.  Jordan is at Irving Middle School, Josh is at Franklin Middle School and Erin & Austin are at Highland.  They all love the new experiences and so far homework hasn't been too intense so I'm loving that! :)

So hard to believe that Aust is a Senior.  Where does time go???

The three amigos, Erin, Jordan & Josh, plus Freddy already for the new adventure.....

Let's see how long these excited smiles for school last into the year...........

Out with the old......In with the new!

Twenty-Two years ago we built the deck on our home.  We had it finished just in time for Caitlin's sealing and blessing.  The kids and I have stained it every other year for those 22 years.  We decided that this year it was Bill's turn.  Upon hearing that, he decided that we should change it out for a Trex deck.  Honestly, we had a problem with our electrical to our well and had to tear up part of the deck to get to it.  It seemed like the logical time to change the deck since we are getting old and wanted a more maintenance free home.  Jordan loved helping them tear up the old deck.  It was hard to say goodbye to our swing.  I loved it....but I absolutely love our new deck and we have so much more of it.  I can't wait for our first dance party!

Jordan is a maniac with a hammer.

 The ole swing......lots of great memories!

 I love our new deck......lots of room and maintenance free...