Go Mighty Cougars!!

We are a true blue family! We love everything BYU, especially football! However, Derek was the only one willing to attend a game with me. I found a sweet price on tickets for the September 11th game against Houston. 

 We loaded up on free goodies at the tailgate party, found our seats, and ate our hot dogs while waiting for the game to start. But a little part of us was really thinking of the half-time show....Cougar Tails...2 whole feet of maple bar yumminess.

 Half-time came and we ran to get in line and yep, you guessed it...they ran out of those mouth-watering maple madness. We "settled" for BYU creamery brownies. A close second to the Tail.

The weather was perfect! The game was amazing!  And the Brocks were rowdy!

 

We won the game! A perfect end to a perfect night...minus the cougar tail, but whatever. :)

You Win Some,You Lose Some... Big Time

Life has become slightly fuller for us...let's just say the Pinewood Derby came up without notice...aka...we forgot. The morning of the derby I told Taylor of our error and that he'd have to race his old car. He decided he'd rather not race at all. I dropped him off at school and felt that motherly guilt that seems to drive me too often, and decided to try to make a new one. One problem...I don't cut wood... and didn't know if Dave would be home in time to help. So I did some research (of course, not about how to cut wood) and found a place that sells pre-cut pinewood cars. Hallelujah! After school Taylor and I got to work. He sanded it, painted it, assembled it, and attached weights to the bottom. I had high hopes...I knew we wouldn't win, but I kinda wanted to. Well, sadly I overlooked one detail...graphite. Our last ward provided it at the race, but not the case here. No one shared. :( So I'd like to blame Taylor's 18 out of 20 ranking on the fact that we didn't have that black powder of magic. Oh well, we tried...and I am free of that nagging motherhood guilt. I feel bad that I dropped the ball, but this is our real life. This is why Dad's do this kind of stuff.

 

Derek's 12th Birthday!!

This was a special birthday for Derek. He turned twelve on a Sunday, which meant he also received the priesthood on his actual birthday. He was so excited for this day. However, all summer he complained that it's no fun looking forward to his birthday because it means he's also back in school. I see his point. We are so proud of Derek. He really has life figured out. He knows right from wrong and tries to do what is best. He is obsessed with football and all things BYU. Derek has the greatest sense of humor and so fun to chat with. We love you, Derek! Happy birthday!!

 

 Oh my goodness...he's so handsome!

 Grandma and Grandpa Eddington were able to attend our church to witness (and participate in) Derek receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. Derek is so excited to be done with Primary...those last years are hard on the older kids.

 Seriously...where does Derek get his silliness from? Hmmm....

 My handsome men...ready to serve.

Ryan ran inside and put on his suit so I'd take his picture. He wasn't too happy about the photobomber. But he quickly got over it and it became a photobomber photoshoot. Oh I was laughing so hard!!

 Derek requested steak for his birthday dinner...so we delivered. Can we say spoiled? :) Next came cake and presents. We invited the Utah County crowd for Derek's request...Texas Sheetcake. Mmmm....

 More awesome photobombing brought to you by cousin Landon.

 And even more brought to you by McKenna...seemed to be the theme for the night. They even watched the "Photobombing 101" skit by Studio C.

 Oh this was a great present. A temple worker that my mom serves with at the Bountiful Temple made this for Derek... A BYU tissue cover. It's amazing! :)

Ryan made a special birthday card for Derek.

 

It was a fun busy day. I hope it lived up to his expectations. Next up...a teenager!! I'm looking forward to it.

A Trip For Two?...Yes, Please!

Dave and I got the itch to get away. We weren't celebrating anything in particular, but we just wanted a couple days to ourselves. My parents were super awesome and took the kids for us so we could relax in Park City. We had a great time together, but I missed the kids more than I thought I would. We just kept commenting on how much the kids would have loved the trip. We purchased the all day passes at Park City Mountain Resort and packed our day full of rides on the coaster, alpine slide, zip lines, and ski lifts. Oh my goodness, it was so fun! 

 The coaster is a slow relaxing ride up with a gorgeous view and a crazy fast ride down through the trees.

 Apparently the turtle-pace ski lift was too much excitement for us. :) Actually the rides up to the alpine slide was my favorite memory made. We chatted, laughed, took too many pictures, made up stories, and heckled too many riders below. This is what it was all about...to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

 What a gentleman!

 We were little speed demons on the alpine slide. So much fun!

 The anticipation of the zip line was the most exciting part. Once they opened the gate and I started moving I realized that it wasn't as scary as I thought. Still fun...just not the thrill ride I was looking for.

 The next day we walked Park City's Main Street and looked at shops and ate lunch. We were looking for a machine to make pressed coins for the kids' collections. Turns out that the Olympic Park had one, which was great because we wanted to check it out anyway. We really enjoyed walking around the museum and watching the ski jumpers practice jumps into the pool.

It was a great trip! We definitely need to get away more often and for much longer next time! I love you, Dave!