Utah vs. BYU

Game day came again for BYU vs. Utah. You know how that goes around here. I go scrambling through our drawers trying to find something in the colors of blue or red for each of us. I try to make it even with who is wearing blue or red. (We are too cheap to buy actual BYU or Utah clothing). I totally lucked out this year that Brie was ok wearing blue (first time). I really made a good attempt at getting Zachy to wear his U of U uniform because I knew how happy it would make Scott. He would not have it. Seriously. Soooooo, he wore the BYU uniform that he loves and we had to dig out of the dirty clothes. So filthy. 

Scott left early that morning to run from our house to his parents house. Yes, long run. We met him there and played in their backyard for the morning. We found this little old wagon. What a treasure.

And then we were off to the Saturday downtown Farmer's Market. We love making our way through this market. Today was a little different. It was still fun, but everyone was decked out in their University of Utah gear and our little family was a walking spectacle. Everyone thought it was so funny that we were so mixed. The fact that everyone else was for Utah got to Brielle. She started telling people, "My mom made me wear this." Next year we go to Provo to show her that I am not the ONLY BYU fan alive.

Our picnic of the goods we bought. Tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, bread loaf and beet hummus.

Kate's lunch of carrots. Hmmmmmmmm?

WHAT?

Kid dominos.

That night was the game. A late game. We were able to feed the kids and leave them to Tawna to put them to bed. Thank heaven for Tawna. It was a late game and a long game. We got home at 1:30am.

Scott and Greg have season tickets together with two extra tickets. We were successful in convincing Cindy (a die hard BYU season ticket holder and fan) to actually enter the Utah stadium for this game. She did so with great trepidation. The two of us, in our BYU blue, sat sandwiched between Scott and Greg. It was a crazy game. Really, it was bad. And it ended bad. It was definitely fun to be there though.

We saw some of this. . .

and a little of this . . .

and hip hip hooray, look how close the new season tickets seats are to the guest team!!! I didn't feel so all alone in a sea of red. All those good BYU friends were sitting right by us. We could hear their band, see their cheerleaders and see the flags wave when the Cougars made a touchdown.

Utah won when BYU was given a chance to tie it. That is all I'll say about that.

Turkey Leg!

We went to the Utah State Fair. We had to. I grew up with the Great Kern County Fair being one of the biggest events to hit Bakersfield. There is excitement in the air when the fair comes to town. Scott doesn't feel it so much, but he is a good sport as I kind of force us all to go walk through the stinky animals and questionable fair going folks. 

Scott does get excited about the "Butter Cow". Always his favorite part - a whole sculpture made completely of butter. Impressive, right?

The kids favorite part of the fair is "Little Hands on the Farm". This year we walked through the gates and they immediately had to go directly there. They got to go through twice. It really is so cute.

We made our way through every last cow, chicken, sheep and goat. Things got interesting while visiting the sheep when the kids kept asking, "Mommy, what is that thing hanging down underneath the sheep?" We got a good lesson in anatomy with Zachy yelling out, "I have one of those!"

Done with the animals we moved on to the food - corn on the cob and a turkey leg! They were pretty happy.

Hanging out watching the Horse Pull.

We stopped to see another amazing act - high divers. They were seriously diving from a diving board 80 feet up in the air! Into a make shift pool that certainly did not look deep enough. I was afraid for their lives, but they all survived.

Kate can't take her eyes off it! It was just THAT amazing!

It got dark and it was time for bed so headed for home. Everyone had a fun time. I was questioned every day afterward when we would be going back to the fair. There will be more turkey leg next year for sure.

Brigham City Temple

Another temple has been built in Utah. It is beautiful. Once again, we had the chance to take our kids through the temple open house before it is dedicated this Sunday. We were looking forward to them getting to see the inside of the temple, showing them each room and talking to them about what happens there. While I'm glad we went and walked through the temple, the open house was not all I had hoped it might be. 

We drove 1 1/2 hours to Brigham City. We were packed into the temple with soooooooooo many crowds of people. It was hot. We all just shuffled through quickly in a packed herd of people. You know those crowds where someone always has to say, "Moooo. Moooo."? (They didn't.) There was no stopping. No discussing. We were in and out in about 20 minutes. Not my best experience at an open house. As much as I love a beautiful temple, I would much prefer to go after it's dedication when it is peaceful and serene and a lovely place to be. Hopefully the kids will have better memories of it. 

What I did love was watching my little Zachy walking through holding hands with Scott in his little booty shoe covers. Adorable.

The best part of that long evening was actually the dinner afterward at a local restaurant/diner that serves breakfast all day long! Woot. Woot. Veggie Omelet and hashbrowns at 8pm!

Ninth Anniversary

Scott and I celebrated a LOVELY ninth anniversary. Heavenly actually, thanks to Tawna watching our kids. We woke up in the morning and went to the temple together to do sealings. It was a very special way to spend an anniversary - thinking about the words spoken to us the day we were married and the promises given to us. After we were finished, the sealer asked if we might want to sit together in the celestial room of the temple. Well, yes, that sounds wonderful. A perfectly peaceful, totally silent, beautiful room for just the two of us to sit together and have a real conversation in? A big thank you to him. 

And then, look at the hot date I had staring lovingly into my eyes from across the table at Cafe Trang after.

We spent the afternoon just hanging out with the kids before we ditched them again for some more anniversary fun.

We did a cheers to nine years with oyster shots (mine from Morro Bay) and then a seafood dinner.

Scott tackled the admirals platter. That crab was honestly so sweet and tasty!

An already really good day together ended just as good with an essential oil massage (peppermint) for each of us (with our Groupon of course). Mmmmmmmm . . . . perfect. It sure felt good at the time, but she worked so hard on some knots in my shoulders that I woke up the next morning feeling like I'd been punched in the back all night. Guess I need to relax.

So, so, so glad I married this man nine years ago. He has made my life happier than I could have ever planned or hoped for. He is an amazing husband to me and the most loving and fun father to our kids. I'm excited for many more happy years together. 

Happy Birthday Dear Ava!

Ava turned 5 years old on September 5! Her magic birthday - turning 5 on the 5th! Here are her 5 year old stats from her well check yesterday:

Weight: 32 lbs. 6 oz. (3rd percentile)

Height: 41 3/4 inches (40th percentile)

Side note: This combination makes for a pretty crazy BMI. She shot up in height, but didn't gain weight. There is a line crash diving downward on the chart.

She had a very good day. She felt super special when she woke up to the house decorated in streamers and birthday banners. She even got to open her first present that morning and was in love with the cutest, softest little barking dog that Grandma Sue sent her. 

We went to her preschool orientation with Ms. Chris and then her friend Chloe joined us for a play date and a mac n' cheese lunch at Noodles & Co. Ava's choice since her second birthday. 

Once school ended for Brielle and the older kids, we got to start Ava's birthday party with all of her Utah cousins. Her cousin Andrew's birthday is just 2 weeks after her's so we celebrated them both at a swimming BBQ party at our friend's house. It was easy for me and so much fun for the kids. 

Scott up on the deck working the barbecue.

 Fred and Rama relaxing and watching the craziness of 16 kids at a pool party.

 Dinner is served. Look closely at this picture to see dear Auntie Tawna about to toss poor baby Liz in the pool. She is not a swimmer yet.

 Ava with her birthday hot dog. Who could ask for anything more?

 Hannah was soooooo sad that she didn't get to be in the pool, until . . . .

 . . . . all it took was a lovely beverage. Like mother, like daughter. Right Laura?

 I love this cutie patootie floating girl.

 Scott and Brian manning all the kids in the pool. Chaos.

 Cake time for the two 5 year olds - Ava and Andrew. Wouldn't they be cute twins?

 Ava kind of took this under control all on her own.

 

No, no cake for us. We're just fine with fingers and toes.

 Finally, presents! The moment she had been waiting for all day long.

 I think this little girl had a really good birthday party. She left very happy.

 A few days later Ava started preschool again and got to bring treats to share to celebrate her birthday. She took princess cupcakes that I stayed up way too late making (because I forgot).

 And after preschool, one of her best friends, Eliza, came over to play and have a cupcake too.

 I asked for a cute "friends" picture and this is what they gave me as they shouted, "Booty! Booty! Booty!"

Ava got five dollars in a card from Grandma Rama and Grandma Great. She talked and talked about what she would buy with ALL that money. She wanted a necklace and bracelet. She finally found just the right set and bought it with her birthday money. Gorgeous. Thank you!

 And here are the two September birthday kids showing how big and strong they have gotten since they are turning another year older!

Happy birthday Ava!