Friday Night Lights

"Once a Panther, always a Panther". This is the saying that has been passed down for generations at West High School. So, it's a natural fit for Steve to be coaching there since he graduated from West. I, on the other hand, struggled last year after being a "Cougar" for many years. (Perhaps I should clarify, that's Cougar as in the mascot, not Cougar as in an older woman attracted to younger men. Although I have been accused of being that kind of Cougar too... wink, wink.) Anyhow, now that Steph has graduated from Kearns (home of the Cougars), I feel I can become a more devoted Panther fan.

Steve is the defensive coordinator this year. He's doing a great job, but it drives me crazy to see him rehash every little play all weekend long after each game.

The cutest Panther of them all... this little guy has been attending Friday night football games since he was two months old. It's no wonder he told me the other day, "I want to be a football player when I grow up"!

Twin Lakes

I love hiking, but usually have a hard time finding any takers in my family to accompany me. My nephew Raymond had been wanting to go, so I recruited him. Steve actually was on board too. (Just between us, the good thing about high school football season is that he secretly feels bad for being away from the family so much... I can get him to do pretty much any 'family time' activity I want!)

I remembered hiking to Twin Lakes back in our "pre-Alex" days, and that it wasn't too long or too difficult. I figured it'd be perfect for Alex. I guess I'd forgotten that although it's only a mile long, the entire thing is uphill. Whoever said chivalry is dead? I did! My big, strong football husband thought he was being such a gentleman by offering to carry the backpack so that I could carry Alex. He says he knows I like doing those kinds of things, so I can show how tough I am. (Secretly, he's right, but I didn't admit to it!)

Alex could have spent hours just throwing rocks in the lake. It was so beautiful and peaceful there, it was wonderful.

My little Moses and his walking stick.

One thing I can say I like about living in Utah is having beautiful places like this just a half hour away.

Child Labor?

Given the current state of the economy, we told Alex it was high time he started pulling his share of the weight around here. We've been training him to say, "Would you like fries with that?" These were his responses when he found out he would be entering the work force.... 1st Response: "What you talkin' bout Mama?"

2nd Response: "Noooo, you can't make me!!"

3rd Response: "You're teasin' me? Oh, what a relief!"

Look Out University of Utah, Here Comes Stephenie Lilly!

Seems like just yesterday we were dropping Steph off for her first day of kindergarten....

This past Monday was her first day of college....

I think we were all too nervous to think about taking a picture as she was leaving.

I'm proud to report that she conquered her fears and had a successful, non-traumatic, and dare I say positive experience this week as a college girl.

***

What did we ever do before cell phones? I think we spoke on the phone about 15 times through the course of that first day... reminding her how to get to such and such a building, chewing her out when she refused to walk in to her first class cause she was late, praising her for taking the initiative to go talk to a counselor, being excited for her as she went to the Union and ate her first "college lunch".

My favorite moment of the day was when she commented as she was traversing across campus (and it is a huge campus!).... "I feel kinda cool!"

***

Yes Stephenie, in my book, you are very, very cool!

Goodbye Summer.....

Just a few things that have been going on in this last (sniff, sniff) month of summer.... Steve in front of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. This was his first time going to do baptisms at the temple since he was baptized himself. It was really cool.

We went to a church campout in Wallsburg (which is named after one of my ancestors, holla!)

Alex had a blast with all the kids there.

A family get together at my sister's house, where she made homemade delicious melt in your mouth scones.

Alex is getting more and more brave on the cousins' tramp.

Alex and Justin "helping" Sissy make cookies.

Maybe we'll see Steph on a Food Network "challenge" show one day. She's got some mad cookie decorating skills.

Kearns cookies for Justin... West cookies for her dad. Yes, it's that time of year again.

I have a wonderful nephew Mika, who is so good with Alex. He watched Alex for me the night Steph and I went to Jack Johnson. It was Alex's first "sleepover" away from home and the report was that he did great!

Steph and I before Jack Johnson. It was a great concert!

I had to work a few nights during the time Steve was out of town this past week, so Steph had to play Mommy and hold down the fort. Apparently, she also played party hostess. This was an impromptu "last get together before people leave for college" gathering at our house. I was at work that night. It's all good though, Alex was there to chaperone!

I can't believe another summer has so quickly come to an end. Can I just do like the bears and sleep through the winter? Wake me up in March!

My Date With Jack

I have a hot date set up for this Friday night. His name is Jack. Don't worry, my husband knows and is totally ok with it. My date is with Jack Johnson... and about 20, 000 other people too.

His concert is this Friday, and my husband totally scored some points when he got a couple tickets from a friend whose girlfriend works for a local radio station. Did I mention those tickets were free?! Steve has to go out of town this weekend so Steph and I are going.

A surfer, an advocate for the environment, and great music. I also hear he makes fantastic banana pancakes.

See ya on Friday Jack!

Lighting a Candle

Last weekend, Stephenie's cousin got married and as part of the ceremony, Steph was asked to light a candle in memory of her Grandma Lilly who passed away 2 years ago.
It was a really nice gesture and I know she was honored to have been asked.

As I took this picture, it made me sad to think that Alex will never have a chance to know his grandma, in this lifetime at least. I know she made a big impact on Stephenie and that Steph will always carry her memory with her.

The bride and groom and their cute kids.