Annihilation

In the battle of good vs. evil, there can only be one victor. Unfortunately for BYU, they, and I quote, "stink like poo" and have been annihilated on the battlefield.

Cheer Clinic Bad Luck

Pearl looks forward to the USU Cheer Clinic every year.

And every year she gets sick. {Same with my niece Ruby... whom we pay give the clinic to her for her birthday every year}

Last year, when I went to wake her up to go, the room smelled funny. When I looked at her closer, I could see barf in her hair and on her pajamas. Sweet. But that little pipsqueak cried and begged us to take her. So we did. She made it through the clinic, had a nap, and then performed at the game. Granted she didn't feel too good but nothing was going to stop her.

This year was a little different. She woke up and said she was ok to go. Just before we left she said her stomach hurt again but she wanted to try and make it. About 45 minutes into the clinic I walked over to check on her and she said she wanted to go home. That's when I knew something was wrong. She's a pretty tough cookie. I took her to the nearest Instacare thinking that maybe she had a bladder infection. It may be TMI but I used to get bladder infections a lot when I was her age and her symptoms were just how I remembered them.

Luckily we were the only ones in the Instacare so we didn't have to wait long. They ruled out strep throat and a bladder infection. But the way she was wincing when the doctor poked her stomach made them worry she might have appendicitis. She had a lot of the same symptoms. So they said they needed to do a blood test.

That did NOT go down well with Pearl. She is terrified and I mean TERRIFIED of needles. It didn't help that I had told her she wouldn't need a shot either. When that poor phlebotomist came in and Pearl saw her box of supplies she FREAKED out! Screaming and crying! The nurse who was helping figured I was one of those moms who was going to be as upset as her child. Nope. I'm heartless. And a new favorite of that nurse. I practically laid on top of Pearl and told the phlebotomist to just "stick her." I'm not sure Pearl will ever forgive me but that nurse told me after, "I like you... you're kinda mean like me." With a wink.

A pink bandage and Popsicle later and Pearl had stopped crying. The blood tests showed she had a high white blood cell count so something was bugging her. With those results, the doctor told us to go up to the hospital and have an ultrasound to rule out her appendix. Not the diagnosis I wanted to hear. Jeff met us at the hospital and we checked in. And waited. And waited. And waited. For three hours. To say Jeff was less than pleased would be an understatement.

And the diagnosis after that wait (and bill)? Nada. Nothing. Healthy appendix.

Apparently Pearl is fairly healthy. The nasty viruses going around haven't taken full effect on her like most of the other kids the doctors have seen. It's just going to be a slow, long drawn out off and on again sick.

Which means what? We were at the game. Cole could have cared less about how his sister was feeling. He was so pumped to be in the Spectrum, doing the Scotsman, and finding Grandpa to sucker some popcorn out of. 

He was pretty happy Uncle Kurtis was there too. They make for good company.

Pearl did a great job dancing, especially since she didn't know any of the routine. She's standing in the middle of the "U state." 

Hopefully next year, we avoid the sickies. Otherwise Pearl's cheer leading career is over.

Family Football Game

We took the kids to the USU vs. Hawaii football game a few weeks back.

Probably the last nice weather game of the season. Why, oh why USU did you schedule games in an outdoor stadium at the end of November? 

I am always shocked at how much junk my kids can consume in the span of a single sporting event. It doesn't matter if it's a football game, basketball game, or their own soccer games! It's like the whistle blows and their metabolism kicks it into high gear. 

 

The popcorn and candy we snuck in only lasted until halftime. Oh and we fed them lunch right before the game too. Then it was onto the begging and whining until I spent my last dollars on what else? Sno cones! In November. It wasn't that warm! 

 

Crazy kids.

Seriously! Can I get one family picture where we actually look nice? Hope you don't mind a bunch of goofy faced pictures from us come Christmas card time, 'cause that's about all I've got!

USU Homecoming

We had a blast in Logan for the USU Homecoming weekend.

We got a huge sack of candy at the parade. Someday the kids will figure out that we tell them it starts an hour later than it actually does so we don't have to sit through the whole thing. But hey, we still get plenty of candy. Epic parent win!

We spent all {and I mean ALL} of Jeff's money at our favorite Aggie apparel store, Locker 42. The man loves that store and everything we hold up he says, "In the cart!" I swear if they sold diamond rings I'd walk out of there with a new one! Everyone got new Aggie gear {Pearl got pajamas, I got a shirt, Jeff bought himself a waterproof jacket, and the boy got a jersey}. It was awesome.

I took Blu on a walk around Historic Downtown Logan. I love walking around all the old neighborhoods with tree lined streets. The problem was I decided to walk back to my in-laws on Main Street. Essentially window shopping the entire way. And I found a skirt I just had to have. I told Jeff it was a "game day" skirt in Aggie blue and grey. So I went back to buy it before the football game and walked out with not only my "game day" skirt, but two pairs of jeans, a pair of work pants, and a pair of shorts {which Jeff was thrilled about because they weren't frumpy or capris!}. They were on 75% clearance people! I had no choice."In the cart!" as Jeff would say.

We got tattoos, played games, and rode around on the parking attendant golf carts at the tailgate party with the Palmer family. And the Kohler clan {my Uncle's brothers}.... who feed the USU teams and travel WITH them to all of their games. Yeah. We've got to tailgate with them more often.

I was pumped to see that Wild Bill had moved from the student section to our section! He will fit right in with my rowdy, irreverent husband.

We cheered and hollered and sympathized with poor Weber State who got their butts kicked. Hey, we're Aggies. We remember those days. Well, years. Ahhh... the glorious return of a winning team!

I kept interrupting Jeff's football nirvana with comments like, "Isn't it beautiful? Don't you think Romney Stadium has the best view? Look at the pretty sky! Those clouds are getting darker. Do you think it's going to rain on us? Do you think it will rain a lot? Jeff look! Jeff! Jeff! Are you listening to me?" Yeah. I'm still a girl people!

And then we got soaking wet. The dark clouds rolled in over the stadium at half time and the Heavens opened! Luckily, if you remember, we'd spent all of Jeff's money earlier and had new rain gear to keep us dry. I'd say my $7 poncho worked better than Jeff's $80 jacket.

Too bad Jeff didn't answer his phone when I tried texting him at 11:50 p.m. {while picking up the kids at my parent's house} to meet me at the "A" at midnight to re-become True Aggies. I heard they lite up all of Old Main in blue lights for the occasion. He said his phone was "asleep." Pfff. His loss.

Aggie Family Fun Day

A few weeks ago we ventured up to Aggie land for the fall scrimmage. 

The kids and I were pretty lucky Jeff allowed us to come. Football season is a serious matter in our household. 

Before the scrimmage started we hung out with Big Blue and the cheerleaders. Big Blue gave Pearl a big smooch on the cheek too! Seeing Pearl next to all the cheerleaders made me feel really, really, really old. I think you always feel like you're 21 until you see actual 21-year-olds. I am old. And fat. And frumpy. Sigh. Those were the good ole days. 

Two bags of popcorn barely kept the kids entertained during the scrimmage. They wanted to go down on the field and play with the football players. It seemed like forever before the fans could go on the field. All of the younger players were assigned to keep the kids entertained while the rest of the team signed autographs. Cole and Pearl had a blast playing catch with them. And Pearl thought dressing up like an Aggie football player was pretty funny. You don't realize how big some of these guys are until you're standing next to them or seeing your kid wearing one of their jerseys.

Here's proof that I was on Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium. 

I have no idea how this picture got on my phone... no idea... ok, so I took it. I couldn't help myself. Jeff said these two players were ones to keep my eyes on. 

And I did :)

Super Fans

I stood in line for more than an hour to get Chuckie Keeton's #16 signature for the boy.

Ok, for Jeff.

Fine. By the time I got to the start of the line to get the entire football teams' signatures, and then was told they were shutting it down and I couldn't get any signatures, that signature was for me.

Even if it took Jeff's streak of rebellion to butt in line to ensure we got that signature.

And boy were my boys happy about it. 

(That and I spent $10 on popcorn to keep them quiet for the basketball game)

Epic parenting fail... or is it?

We've had an epic parenting fail.

When you ask most kids about why we have Christmas, they'll rattle something off about Santa or more importantly Jesus.

But not Cole.

Nope. For weeks, he was convinced that the reason we celebrate Christmas was because it's his birthday. Makes logical sense if you think about it. The only time he probably remembers getting presents is on his birthday. After getting asked 50 zillion times every day if it was "me birthday?", I decided to go a different route. I tried explaining that the real reason we celebrate Christmas is because it's Jesus' birthday.

Cole was having none of it. 

You should have seen the look on his face. It was one of those "Mom. Seriously?" kind of looks Pearl shoots at me when she thinks I totally don't get it. 

So... I tried it's Santa's birthday. The kid has to believe that one, right?

Wrong again. 

Apparently the reason we have Christmas is because, according to Cole's own logic, it's Big Blue's birthday.

Yep. Big Blue. As in the Big Blue mascot at Utah State. 

I have no idea where this kid got the idea. I mean, his Dad only has an entire Christmas tree dedicated to blue, white, and USU ornaments with a Big Blue bobble head zip tied to the top (with two blue balls... he he he). The only Christmas decoration that kid was actually excited to help with too (see picture with all the blue balls lined up together). And he nearly threw a conniption fit when we left Locker 42 without the real helmet. $650 is but a small price for happiness I guess.

We have failed as parents.

Or have we?

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

It seems a little sad to be posting about this today. Given that Coach Gary Andersen - Jeff's man crush - has resigned to coach at Wisconsin. Pfff. What do the Badgers have over the Aggies? 

Sigh. The shock, heartbreak, anger, and unease about the future of Aggie football have dominated our household this week. Especially given Coach A's undying loyalty to USU just days ago.

But that's for another post. And as Jeff pointed out, with the appointment of Matt Wells (Offensive Coordinator under Coach A), life has been restored. 

After an unbelievable season with 10 wins, there was no way Jeff was missing the Aggies' bowl game. Even if it meant freezing our "A"s off in Boise, Idaho. 

And by freezing, I mean fah-reez-ing!!! My feet hurt so bad after the game I thought I'd have frostbite on my toes. Thank goodness we're moving to the Mountain West Conference next season because their bowl games are places that are warm in December... like Vegas and San Diego. Oh please let us go to San Diego!!!

We went with some friends that we haven't hung out with in years. I must admit, I was a tad hesitant about going with another couple... it's just not what we normally do. But it was a blast! We didn't have to drive, we yapped on and on and on for four hours there and four hours back almost non-stop (it's obvious we don't get out much with other adults), and we didn't have to decide where to go for dinner. 

We went to the pre-game potato lunch, bulking up on our carbs and Aggie excitement. Yum. Wish I would have had that warm potato about half-time when I couldn't feel my fingers or nose anymore. 

Pre-victory picture. Jeff was dying that I wanted a picture... he was ready for the game to FINALLY get started. He's like a kid on Christmas morning!

Here comes the Aggies to the cheers of thousands and thousands of our closest Aggie friends. It was awesome. Everywhere we went - PF Changs for dinner, gas stations along the way, and the breakfast buffet at the hotel - we were surrounded by Aggie fans decked out in USU apparel.

 

To be blunt honest, the game sucked. I was almost ready to throw in the towel and go sit in the bathroom where it was actually warm until the game was over. But I persisted through the cold, hoping they'd finally start to get some touchdowns. And then the 4th quarter happened. Finally, the Aggies we'd watched all season started to play. Boom! 41-15 victory over the Toledo Rockets. 

 

Post game victory picture. Jeff was more excited about this picture than the pre-victory one. Me? I was too cold to smile. 

Alesha and Kof-dog. Love this picture of Alesha all bundled up. You would have thought she'd had stayed warm with all those layers.

I followed Jeff down to the "smurf turf" after the game and basically followed him around as he soaked in the victory. I found it hilarious that the trophy was filled with Idaho potatoes.

"I don't like you guys, I love ya!" (Please don't leave Coach) And out of the way, burly, bearded man with a security vest.

Chuckie!!!!

I don't know who this guy is but Jeff was excited to see him. 

Thanks aggiefan33 (aka, Jeff) for getting me a season ticket this year and for taking me to Boise. Finally, a reason to sit outside at Romney Stadium in the cold! It's literally been a once in a lifetime season.

Go Aggies!

--- And a huge thank you to my in-laws who offered to watch the kids (all three of them) for the weekend ----