Jimmer and the gang

 Chillin' with Jimmer Fredette.

Back in September we had the chance to go visit the BYU Basketball team's practice one afternoon.  It was fun to watch their fast-paced scrimmage.  Except for the part when Jimmer (BYU's pre-season All-American) got injured and needed to go get his hand x-rayed. But before he did, he stopped to take a picture with the Smart kids. Michael and I were so impressed. He was obviously in pain, but he stopped to talk and take a picture with some generic kids from Utah County.  He didn't even comment on them smelling strange (I had to dig the BYU t-shirts out of the bottom of the dirty laundry before we left.)

It has been a lot of fun to watch Jimmer have a great senior season. We've been to a few of the games at the Marriott Center. For years we've taken the kids to the home game during Christmas break because we can sit close to the court in the student section (while the students are home.)  We still got pretty good seats, but this year that game was way more packed than usual. And Jimmer didn't disappoint.  When the cougars were down 17-6, J took over the game, scoring the next 14 points and taking the lead for good on a fast-break dunk. The crowd went crazy - (no one knew he could dunk) - the atmosphere was electric. They ended up winning by 25 or so. :)  It was fun to be there. Our family even made it on the Jumbotron screen a couple of times, thanks to the pom-pom's Emma brought. (The cheerleaders were home for Christmas break as well.) Good times.

 And let's not forget the supporting cast: Brandon Davies

 Freshman, Kyle Collinsworth

Noah Hartsock 

Charles Abuo

And the other part of the backcourt duo - Sr Jackson Emery. Super nice guy as well.

 Thanks for all your hard work, b-ball team. And thanks for being so nice to the Smart kids. Go cougars!