These pictures are from over a month ago. The day Michael got home from Bangkok (oh yeah, Michael went to Bangkok) he wanted to try to stay awake until bed time so we decided to take a cookout up American Fork Canyon near our house. I'm glad we took advantage of the weather, canyon and foliage when we could. I say that especially now as it's snowing outside.

Football Season

Now that it feels a little better to be a Cougar football fan again, we feel better about discussing these things. Last Saturday Michael took all four kids to the BYU football game. A couple of firsts involved: this was the first time he took everyone at the same time (it's a little easier to finagle tickets out of people when the season's not as great) and it was the first time ever for David.  He did mostly great. Michael will have to upload pictures from his phone.

That reminded me that we never shared the pictures of the kids when Michael took them to spring practice in April. They got to meet the players (above is Bryan Kariya) and practice running drills.

Michael noticed one player who didn't have a line of people waiting to talk to him because he was a new guy.  Because Michael knows all the scouting stuff, he knew that this was a brand new recruit out of California named Joshua Quezada. The reason he's memorable is because he's not a member of the LDS Church and because he had hair that came past his shoulders and had to cut it as part of BYU's Honor Code commitment, and despite all that he still wanted to come to BYU.

Michael took the kids over to meet him and he was so great with the kids - and so excited that someone knew who he was.  (In the video above he was asking Spencer what position he would like to play. Spencer's response: Quarterback. So that's why he's telling Spencer he's got to remember all the plays.) 

Michael asked if he liked to be called Joshua or Josh and he said, "You can call me Juice." So the kids were excited about their new friend Juice. Michael was impressed with what a humble, genuine guy he was.

Well, turns out, Juice has had a pretty great season as a Freshman. He scored the first BYU touchdown of the season against Washington.  Last week he scored three touchdowns last Saturday while Michael and the kids were at the game! Yay Juice!

Happy Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, here is Spencer's Reflections Contest entry this year. The theme was "Together we can" and he chose "Together we can remember people who died in the army to protect our freedom."  As you can tell, he's on a bit of an army-guy kick. But it is in his blood too!

His picture won 2nd place in his age division (K-2nd grade)!  There is more to report about the Reflections awards last week.  It was a historic night for the Smarts! :)

Halloween 2010

 

We (especially Mom) proudly present Halloween 2010

 Army/Camo guy

 Cute Cowboy

 Cute Girl from the 1950's

Finding these glasses was one of my Halloween triumphs. Emma was not so sure, but once she started getting feedback from other adults she trusted more than me, she started buying in.

 Hermione Granger from Gryffindor (one of Harry Potter's friends)

 School costume parade

 David's preschool class

(I got to help with Emma's class party. It was a lot of fun. Emma mostly thought it was fun to have me there. (I love the twin boys in her class who were Mario and Luigi.)

 Visiting with the Sorenson cousins and Aunt Lynn

 Party at Grandma's house.  Spencer added a BYU football helmet to his ensemble. Michael and I were tacky tourists.  My dress and sunglasses are authentic 1970's garb from my mom.  Despite being polyester, the dress was really quite comfy!

 Cowboy cousins - David and Isabelle Cannon

Sadly, Trick-or-Treat night was quite soggy, but with lightsticks in hand, everyone was un-deterred.  This was the first year David really figured out the 'people give me free candy' part of Halloween. He was unstoppable! :)