BYU vs UTAH and Senior Day

The Saturday after Thanksgiving was the rivalry game against Utah. We were in high hopes for a win, but were all a little worried about a possible loss. Luckily, we pulled through in a very tense overtime for the win. The final score was 26 to 23. It was the prefect ending to a great season. It was also freezing as expected and we were all bundled to the tee. It was so much fun though and we were glad we could be there for the last game.

Piper was decked out in girly pink head to toe. What a cutie!

What a goofball! Brody had said some funny things over the course of the week. First off, anytime we would see my brother Dennis, he would get so shy around him. He told us one time, "Daddy, I scared of uncle Denny" So funny! That hasn't affected his excitement he gets when Dennis is around. He definitely loves his uncle Denny.

Also, when Brody and I were standing in line to get him a hot dog at the game, he saw a picture of Cosmo and says to me, "Aunt Taya loves Cougars". As I am trying not to bust up laughing, I said, "Yes Brody, Aunt Taya does love Cougars" I have no idea where he came up with that one, but I sure love this funny kid!

Showing some skills out on the field. Go #32!Before the game was supposed to end, all the Senior players families were supposed to meet down by the tunnel to get on the field for the Senior Day ceremony after the game. Since the win came down to the last second, no one was going to leave their seats and miss it, including John and my dad. We had very restless kids and didn't want to make our way down in the huge crowds, so my mom, Brody, and I went down before the game ended and missed the amazing win. I am still glad we did because everyone rushed the field and it was insane to find anyone with the trampling crowds. Brody was so lost in the sea of people that I had to put him on my shoulders to get anywhere and keep him safe. If you know Brody, that is not an easy thing to do. He is the heaviest kid ever. Looks are very deceiving. Dennis being interviewed after the game.My family and I finally all found each other amongst the huge crowds. Here is my sister Lindsey, Piper and I.Brody and John enjoying all of the excitement.
Brooklyn and her daddy. She had just woken up, so she wasn't her happy self quite yet. Waiting for his name to be called.We got to walk the field behind Dennis as they announced his accomplishments, congratulated him for a great college career, and gave him his senior blanket. It was a pretty neat experience. This is what is looked like as we were walking behind him.Dennis celebrating with Coach Mendenhall. We got to shake hands with him too, along with Pres. Samuelson and many others. Our little family feeling the excitement in the air.Brandon, Lindsey and the kids.Here is some video John took right after we went through the line.


We had to wait a while for all the families to clear out and for the players to get cleaned up, so we let Brody run around. It was fun to see him run the length of the field.


Waiting around for uncle Denny to come out and playing on the stadium carts. Probably not the best thing to do, but we had to entertain the kids somehow.

Once Dennis and Max were done and out of the locker room, and we were all frozen from waiting SO LONG, we all headed to get some dinner. We went to Pizza Pie Cafe in Provo with the Hall's and Jacobsen's. I was told that it was started by the same guys that did Craigo's Pizza in Rexburg. I had HUGE expectations before hand since my #1 pizza place ever is Criago's. While it was the best pizza buffet I had ever been to, it was NO Criago's. My favorite 0f Craigo's is the cheese breadsticks and theirs just did not compare. I guess I have to travel to Rexburg to satisfy that craving. It was definitely a fun time though and the place was packed.

We were so glad we could be there for the last home game of Dennis' BYU career. It was definitely a memorable experience.

Jump On It , Thanksgiving, And Then Some

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we took the kids to my sister's house to let my mom bake and get ready for the next day in peace. Brody was so excited to go see his cousin Brooklyn. He loves to play with her and has recently called her his "best friend". I don't know where he picked that one up, but it is cute. We hung out at her house and let the kids play while Lindsey and I made hair bows and flowers and John watched TV. After a while, the kids got pretty restless, so we spent the afternoon at a jump place in Lindon. It had trampolines everywhere and some bounce houses and giant slides. As you can imagine, it was pretty crowded being around the holiday, which made Brody very intimidated and he refused to go on anything. Good thing it was free and the whole afternoon cost us nothing!

Brooklyn had been there before, so she was a pro.

Here was Brody's reaction. Classic!

Then he warmed up and was soon loving it.

Piper and daddy on the sidelines.Piper having her chance to jump.Brody wanted Piper to come jump with him, so he pulled her out there.He jumped while she bounced. It was pretty funny to see her reaction.Brother and sister having fun together.We caught a video of it too.

Now on to the slides.

Brody was brave enough to go down standing up.Brody took Piper down on her first ride.Still a little unsure even on her second time down.There is a smile!Piper had fun after all. Actually, we all had fun. If I lived there, I am sure I would be going couple times a week just to get all my kids' energy out through the cooped-up winter.

The next day we celebrated Thanksgiving with my whole family, my parents, Brandon and Lindsey and kidlets, Dennis and Mataya, and us. There was a lot of football, good traditional eats and wonderful company. We are very thankful that we were blessed with a great family and a chance to spend the holiday with them this year.

On Black Friday, we did venture out for a little shopping, but not at the crazy am hours like some people I know. We headed out around 11 am and were surprised to find that it wasn't all that bad. We still ended up finding some really good deals at Target, Seagull book and various other places where the majority of people weren't going. Then we made it back home, hung around a while and then went out to eat at one of my favorite places, Cafe Rio. By the way, just noticed that the one by my house is now open! So excited! After dinner, my dad, John and Brody went home, and Piper, my mom and I headed to University mall to see what else we could find. After shopping most of the night, I walked away with a pair of new shoes. Thanks Mom! It was a good day and a good week.

Piper Turned One!

While we were up at my parents house, Piper turned one year old!!! I can't believe that she is already that old. It really feels like the year has flown by for me. She is definitely no longer a baby and absolutely a toddler. While this age is fun too, it still makes me sad :(

We didn't do a lot during the day, except making the cupcakes and visit with my friend Missy and her darling girls. It was so much fun catching up,thanks Missy! In the evening, the rest of my family came over and we had a nice dinner of bbq sandwiches and broccoli and a delicious winter salad that I absolutely need the recipe for. Then we let the festivities begin!

Piper and Mommy and her special day.

Piper posing with her gifts and cake.Her Caterpillar cake. So easy to do and so adorable!"Pooh and Tiger!"During a round of pictures, she dropped one hand right on top of a cupcake. Only a matter of time I guess. She wasn't sure what to make of it, as you can see.Going back for more."Yummy!"The kids could not wait for their cupcakes and dug in before the rest of us.Then the kids played around a while before we opened presents.My newest nephew Easton. What a cutie!

Piper loved playing with her cousin Brooklyn.

Being silly.Almost there! She still doesn't walk more than a few steps at a time, but gets so excited and is so proud of herself when she does. She even will clap after, which usually causes her to loose her balance and then it is back to crawling.Present time! She got so many cute clothes and bows, thanks to my mom, sister, sister in law, and aunt.

BYU beenieI think her favorite of the night was her very own cell phone from aunt Taya. Piper is such a girl and LOVES to talk on the phone.Thanks to all who celebrated with us and for the great gifts. She is one well-dressed, happy little girl! It was a memorable 1st birthday f0r us all. Happy Birthday Piper!