Best Game Ever!

Last night was Snake's Senior night for soccer. For senior night, they always play under the lights at the football field. My poor little camera, even on the night setting, was way over matched by how dark it was, but I was able to get a couple of photos that were decent. This was probably the best soccer game I have ever been to. The only thing that could have made it better was if Josh was able to play.

So they played Aberdeen last night...interesting matchup for me, as Aberdeen was my school. It was not at all difficult to root against my old school.

Aberdeen came out strong in the first half & scored three goals in like 15 minutes. Snake was playing kind of sluggish and not playing well as a team. The first half was a little frustrating to watch...especially since did I mention that this is at night? In October? In Idaho? It was freezing! Thank goodness for sweaters. And blankets. And gloves. And scarves. And hats. Anyway...

Snake came out in the second half as a changed team! They were strong, they worked together well, they talked, they passed, and they controlled the game for the entire second half. They came back to score 4 unanswered goals in the second half and win the game! Andy, a freshman super star, had an amazing game & scored two of the goals and an assist for the game winning goal. It was so fun to see them work so well. The win last night moved them to first place in the district. Districts start on Saturday.

Not only was the game amazing, but I think that Snake River soccer has THE best fans! They are supportive and they are loud. And yes, I willingly and proudly admit that I was one of those fans last night, jumping up and down in the bleachers, screaming til I had no voice, clapping til my hands hurt, and stomping my feet on the metal to make that really really loud noise. Embarassing, maybe. Obnoxious, perhaps. However, I prefer the term enthusiastic!!

Introducing the team prior to the game. Josh is all the way over on the left, in the hat

Honoring the seniors at half time--we have some great Seniors leaving the team--including our awsome goalie, McKay!

After the game, the parents always line up on the edge of the field. The kids run across the field to us and go down the line getting high 5's. Last night, they ran half way across the field & huddled, doing their pre-game routine, which I think is way cool. Plus, Josh is in the center, leading it. I'm proud of him for contributing what he can to his team even while he's injured. He leads their pre-game routine, helps them get warmed up, and is always on the sidelines, assisting with in-game coaching. I know it's hard for him to not be able to play, but I'm proud of how he's handling it!

Congrats big brother!!

Today was a big day in our family. Not only was it Josh's birthday, but my oldest brother, Bob, chose today to be married. Bob has been a widower for just over a year, after Lori lost her battle with cancer. He met a wonderful woman and chose to spend the rest of his life with her. Ariane is a lovely lady & I am excited to have her as a new sister in law. Ariane is brave, as she takes on the task of being the better half to my crazy big brother! She is also becoming the step mom to four terrific kids, my nieces Wendy, Andrea, and Sarah, and my nephew Michael. The kids love her & they all get along really well.

I wasn't able to be at the wedding, but was so glad to get photos today! Welcome to the family Ariane--we are a crazy bunch, but we love you!

Bob & Ariane chose to be married in the Nauvoo temple. It is so, so beautiful!

The happy & beautiful couple

Seriously! Could he be any cuter?

Josh brought home his school photos today. Seriously, could a teenage boy be any cuter than this kid is? I can't believe he's a sophomore already!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!!!!!

Today is Josh's 16th birthday! He is finally official to start dating & is celebrating with his first real date on Saturday for his school's Homecoming Dance.

It doesn't seem like it's been 8 years since he came here, but it has. I am so grateful to have him in my life every day and am so grateful for the incredible person that he is! He is such a good person. He makes me laugh every single day, and he makes me proud every single day. He has a good, kind, compassionate heart. While he may drive me crazy sometimes, I know how lucky I am to have him!

I love you Josh! Have a wonderful birthday!!

I disapprove. Strongly....

...not that i think it makes a difference. I woke up this morning & looked out my window to find that during the night, my lawn had gone from green to white! It was one thing when the snow was content to stay in the mountains. I could look at that & think that the mountains sure do look pretty covered in snow. But having it on my lawn? That's a whole different story! It's way too early in the year for this!

Ch. Pembroke The Patriot Sept 8, 2001-Oct. 2, 2009

Just over 8 years ago, this precious little puppy was born at my house. James, who was 12 at the time, fell in love with this puppy and wanted him for his own. I believe there's no better way to teach a child responsibility and unconditional love than for him to have a dog of his own. So this sweet little baby became James'. And the puppy became Gibson, with the registered name of Pembroke The Patriot. Of course, he was more often heard to be called Gibs or Gibbers. Gibbers had this huge love of life. Everything was a huge adventure to him. Every day was greeted with a great enthusiasm and happiness. As long as he got a hug every morning and his hips scratched, he was a happy kid. Gibs loved everyone, but James was his world. He loved his kid every day of his life and they grew up together. Gibson was a smooth, sable headed white collie, which is fairly unusual. James wanted the challenge of showing him though. James finished Gibson's championship completely on his own & he & Gibbers did very well in the Junior Showmanship ring together, earning several Best Junior Handler awards together. But most of all, they were best friends, which is what a dog should be.

So while we've spent the last couple of days working through the worst part of owning dogs--having them leave us too soon--I find myself so grateful that I get to have them in my life & that we had the last 8 years with Gibson. I hope that those of us who lived with him can take some of that love and zest of life that he always showed and exhibit some of it ourselves...how much better of a world would this be if the humans in it could love as purely as dogs do?

So rest in peace, sweet Gibson. We love you very much and you and your sweet, happy spirit will be much missed around here!

Tired teenage boy

Apparently, driving a tractor during harvest is exhausting! He comes home clean, there's no dirt in his hair, his nose, his eyes, or his teeth, but he does work long hours & is so tired! This is about the only thing he wants when he gets home from work. This was the other night when I went to get him for dinner...I ended up just letting him sleep!

Beautiful Jackson

I got to go to one of my favorite places on Monday. I had a bunch of work in Jackson, WY, so I made the trip up. When I go, I go along the Palisades rather than over the pass. I so love that trip and especially at this time of year, it was gorgeous!

The Snake River near Swan Valley


The hills along the Palisades Resevoir

Mountain in the mist outside of Alpine, WY

So pretty!

Some of the best skiing ever--in the summer, they have this really cool slide that you can take down the ski slopes at Jackson




Along Palisades again. So, so, so pretty!!!!

Spud Harvest

This is Josh's first year working Spud Harvest. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to with his knee, but he's working for terrific farmers who found something for him to do. I have to say, after my high school harvest career of two years riding the combine and a year picking clods at the cellar, I'm a little jealous of him! He is driving tractor in the field, crushing the weeds behind the side diggers. Right now, they're working in the field directly in front of the house, so when the call came for more food please(!) I walked out to take him food & took photos. I so do not miss working harvest!

The knee causing all the trouble in it's brace

The house from where Josh is working

Josh with his tractor behind him

Josh driving the tractor


Josh following the two side diggers

The side diggers--these are what actually dig up the potatoes so that the combine can pick them up

A spud truck being filled

I spent many, many hours on a combine much like this in high school!

I don't think I have ever been dirtier in my life than I was while working spud harvest! Josh is lucky to be in an air conditioned, heated tractor cab with a stereo!

Unhappy teenage boy

So the big doctor's appointment was today. The good news is that nothing is completely torn, which means no surgery! The bad news is that he damaged and partially tore his MCL, ACL, and PCL. The doctor compared it to a rope and explained that it's like he frayed some of the strands of the rope. He has been shut down for at least four weeks, which means that he is done for the season for both Soccer and Cross Country. I don't think I have ever seen him so devastated. He really, really thought he'd be able to come back for Districts and State. I feel so bad for him. He's so sad about this & there's nothing I can do to make it better. Poor guy! But like the doctor explained, missing the rest of the soccer season is better than taking a chance on having to get ACL surgery, which is a 1 year recuperation!