BYU vs. TULANE

Well, last weekend we were still sulking for not making it to the Oklahoma vs. BYU game up in Dallas and decided that we were not going to pass up another opportunity to see our Alma Mater play. SO...we packed up the kids (except for Rachael...Thanks Matt and Catherine!) and headed out to New Orleans with our constant partners in crime: our friends the Allens. We stayed in Baton Rouge on Friday night. When we woke up the next morning and headed down for breakfast, we saw the Johnson's in our ward. So Random! We also saw other BYU dressed fans there, but they were in another stake from Houston. Such a small world!

We drove a little around New Orleans and could still tell that it was recovering from Katrina. The devastation must have been unimaginable compared to what it is now. We then headed to the tailgate party which was held on St. Charles street in downtown New Orleans. This also happens to be in a part of Mark's mission when he served there waiting for his Visa.

It started to REALLY rain at the tailgate and everyone crowded under the tent. They served red beans and rice (YUMMY).

Here I am with the Cheerleaders. I have two questions: Can you tell which one is the Cougarette and which one is the Cougar?? :) I didn't think so! And then who is that Ya-whoo in the background with the cheesy grin and the pom poms on his head?

The Boys with Cosmo. Notice how DRENCHED with rain they are. Spencer was literally jumping and singing in the rain. They were nice and COLD during the game where it was approx. 65 degrees in the Superdome. Did anyone notice that Bronco was wearing a turtle neck and a jacket during the game? Yea, it was that cold.

My kids (boys) mesmerized with the cheerleaders.

We were this close to the action. Thanks Nick for the free tickets! You ROCK. Here you are carefully studying the Tulane team as they warm up.
(I'm wondering what is going through your head right now...like...uh oh...are they better than we thought...oh wait..nahhhhh)

Spencer attacking Mason with the pom poms. I do have to say that the BYU crowd to START OUT WITH had 6 times more people in the stadium. Tulane did have 2 loyalists left at the end of the game in the student section. (it was kind of sad)

All the players high 5ing the fans at the end of the game. My kids FREAKED when Max came by. "I'll never wash my hand again!" I heard a few times.

Can't get enough of cosmo. He was AWESOME!

We had a GREAT time!! I was excited to get back to Rachael, although she wasn't excited for me to get back to her. She cried for about an hour after I brought her home from "Mimball's" (Kimball) house. I even had to put her in the "naughty chair" in time out. She LOVES it there. Thanks again everyone. We loved it and GO COUGS!!!!

A Spencer-ism

Well, I know I am not caught up with my blogging, but there are some things that I need to write about before I forget about them. I cannot tell you how many times Spencer opens up his mouth and I NEVER know what will come out of it. He has had so many one liners over the years, that I am frustrated with myself that I haven't written them down. Well, tonight is when I have to write about what Spencer said. He has been home from school quite ill with probably the Swine Flu (I don't know for sure...but probably). Anyway, he has been coughing a lot and tonight we were at the dinner table talking. I thought that it was the perfect time to make the announcement that all of the boys will now have a night where they are in charge of cleaning the kitchen. Immediately after my announcement, Spencer started one of his coughing fits. I waited for him to finish and when he did he took a big drink of water. "Sorry mom," he said after his big gulp, "I guess I am just allergic to Bull Crap." Complete Silence. Then I started to laugh. And I mean laugh...that is all I could do. Pretty soon we were all laughing... It really was funny. What he doesn't realize though, is that when I make the schedule for cleaning the kitchen, he will be FIRST..and SECOND. Who's laughing now????

2 more birthdays in June to blog about.....

I turned 39 (YIKES) in June and I had a great birthday. Mark and I went to the Museum of Natural Science and went to the Chinese Warriors exhibit which was fascinating. I always like to do something artsy and different for my birthday and I am so glad we went! Then we joined our friends Steffan, Emily, (whose birthday was that day too), Audralyn and Mark, as well as Kathy and Curtis for dinner at Perry's. Um...can we say yummy, but way too expensive? The steak was TO DIE FOR but I would take Taste of Texas anyday. It was also very fancy and I do think sometimes less is more! It was a great day, though. Thanks Mark!

So, I am super frustrated because I cannot find any pictures of Rachael's birthday. We had a pretty lo-key party for her (which was okay by me since I went a little out of control for her first birthday party which was a Luau!). I went to Ooh La La bakery and got her a strawberry cupcake which she didn't even eat. She was scared of the fire from the candle and didn't want anything to do with it. Anyway, she did love her presents though because she got dress up shoes, a new baby with a pacifier and bottle, and a Little Pony. I love buying girl toys! It is so much fun!

These pictures make me laugh. I took her to JC penneys to get her pictures taken. The girl taking the pictures was probably brand new and she seriously could not get the camera to work. Then Rachael FREAKED out when she had to sit on the white sheet exactly where this laser like light was. She was scared of it and would not sit down. After 20 minutes and not ONE SINGLE picture, I left. So...I brought her home, put a white sheet down and took a couple of pictures. She would not smile, but she looks cute! I will get her picture taken for real when I go to Idaho in a couple of weeks. love her....

Jonathan's 12th Birthday

I cannot believe my baby is now 12 years old. The time has gone by so fast and I look at my little boy that is becoming a young man. Turning 12 is special for our family as that is when a boy can receive the priesthood. Because it is a big deal, my parents and Mark's parents flew in for the ordination. (I am sorry Penny and Greg...I don't think I got a picture of you 2 with J before you had to leave!) What a special time it was. I think my favorite part about the entire experience was watching Jonathan sit down in the chair in the Bishop's office anticipating the event. I remember he looked up at his dad who was getting ready to do the blessing. What a wonderful experience to have your dad, and both grandfathers there. I am so proud of you Jonathan and love you so much!

Here is Spencer, Austin and Rachael on the special day. We brought the boys in to watch Jonathan. They thought it was pretty cool.

We did Jonathan's party at Times Square, which is a local bowling alley. Jonathan invited 11 friends and had a BLAST. We splurged on his party this year because it was a special one. So...I let him order all the food he wanted for he and his friends (um... 6 plates of fries, 3 pizzas, and all you can eat soda.)

Here they are having a great time.

They got to do bowling and laser tag. You can't get any better than that for a bunch of 11-12 year old boys.

For Jonathan's "cake" he asked for strawberry cheesecake. The boys ate all of that too. Here Jonathan is showing off some BYU wristbands he got from one of his friends. He loves BYU and talks about going there all of the time. The other day, he asked me, "Mom, what happens if I don't get into BYU? Then what will I do?" We talked about BYU Idaho and also other good schools in Texas. It made me laugh a little, but it was cute.

Blowing out his candles. Happy Birthday son. I know you had a great time and it was fun being there and watching you enjoy yourself so much. We love you!!!!!