Andrew's Game

My nephew Andrew plays football for Southern Utah University which is about 3 hours from Salt Lake, but last weekend they played at Weber State in Ogden so we were able to go watch his game.

Andrew is #93. He's always been tall, but when you go to college to play they seriously bulk you up. He is huge! (In a good way, not in a fat, blobby way.)

A guy Steve coaches high school football with has tickets for up in the box (that you can see on the opposite side of the field). He had 3 extra tickets for Steve, Alex and I, so when we first got there we were up in the nice warm box where we dined on  free brownies and lemonade. But then I figured we'd better go mingle with the "little people" to show them that we still know how to keep it real. Totally kidding!

Stephenie and her cousins had a sleepover the night before and then went to the game together. I love that they are not just cousins, but also buddies.

 

I absolutely love this adorable picture of Andrew and Alex, I could just look at it all day.

It was nice that the team was able to visit with friends and family after the game before heading back.

Andrew and Uncle Steve have always had a special bond through their love of sports, topped off now by the commonality of both having played college football.

 My brother Eric and his gorgeous family.

We have a family joke that no matter where Steve goes, he will run into an old friend. It really made his day that he was able to watch 3 young men play that he coached back in his Kearns High days. Karl plays for Weber and Fatu and Toa play for SUU. He also coached Sa, the young lady in basketball at Kearns.

We're really proud of Andrew and all he's accomplished. He's really grown up to be a fine young man. (Wow, that statement just made me sound really old!!)

Halloween Twenty-Thirteen

This year I am the head room representative for Alex's 1st grade class, so I was in charge of planning the class Halloween party. Luckily, Alex has a willing big sister who came along and helped. I thought the party was a success. The kids were really cute and a lot of fun. All the first grade teachers dressed like Minions, it was super cute.

Alex has been completely obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog for quite a while now. He would make a good actor, he gets very  much in character when he's wearing his costume. In his mind, he is Sonic.

Alex requested a Sonic jack-o-lantern. I have to confess I was kind of impressed with my mostly free-handed attempt.
Alex gets a little freaked out when he is trick or treating and comes across a scary looking house. So, after a couple blocks he had had his fill. No complaints here. Even better, within just a few days after Halloween he had already forgotten about his candy stash. His dentist would be so proud.

Girl's Weekend

Back in October my sister Lorna and I flew to California for a special "girls weekend" with my mom and other sister Lesley.

We had a wonderful trip. It was nice to just lounge around and relax.

 I hadn't been to Napa in the fall in many years. I loved seeing the vineyards in their harvest colors. My dad, Lorna and I took a walk early Saturday morning and saw probably 10 or so hot air balloons above as we walked along the vineyards. Heavenly.

We went to a production of "Pride and Prejudice" in Sacramento. Before the play, we went to Lesley's house for a "tea party" to be in the proper Jane Austen mood.

On Sunday all the California family got together for dinner. We sure do have some cute grandkids/great-grandkids in our family. I sure wish my Alex would eat like his cousin Abram. He loved his pumpkin pie.

Little Aila is one of the happiest, most smiley babies I've ever seen and I am totally in love.

 

Alexis rules the roost wherever she goes. With that red hair, crystal blue eyes and cheeks that you could sink your teeth into, I think she is already aware that she's got us all wrapped around her finger.

Lorna and I are hoping to make this trip a new tradition. (Not sure if our families know this yet!) Actually, they were all very good sports about being mommy-less for a few days. Only 11 months to go till our next trip!