The "parade" wasn't until about 4:30 pm... after seminary, court, school, work and play rehearsal. Then Dad and Mom went to a "magical place" (those are Mom's words). See video.
Wow - I have had such a great day so far!!! Sarah and Dad make up for a few less numbers in the house - each greeting me this morning with wishes and kisses. Sarah really outdid herself at seminary with a gorgeously decorated seminary room (I think with a little bit of help from that event planner dad of hers - the crepe paper false ceiling could have been at a wedding reception). I had a birthday headband to put on, a lei filled with sweet messages, candles and a banner.
Sister M had a party planned with goodies, drinks, balloons and roses. I have talked to Katie (twice) Jason at his lunch hour at home, Stefanie, Paisley wishing me - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA - words every grandma likes to hear. I talked to Rachel a couple of times, Dallin on his lunch break with sleeping Elizabeth in the background. I talked to Jeff during a really busy day, I talked to Robb on his way to take a test and Marybeth called after her day at school. Thanks for a fantastic fantastic fantastic day!!! I love getting older!
We were in charge of water balloon volleyball for our ward activity on Friday night. We filled up a ton it took a long time and it was really heavy once we decided to bring it to the car.
The volleyball kinda tanked, but there were a few that played and we had a good time
It was a big sports week for me, I played in some non-soccer intramurals this week. We had two Volleyball games and we won both. I am not that good but it is fun to play and get to know some of the guys in my ward better.
The one I was most excited about was Thursday night. We had a football game. I am not great at this either but I wanted to look the part. I have my BYU jersey on with gloves from when I worked on the football field. Some soccer socks and cleats. It was a lot of fun.
Then I had a moment all young boys live in their backyards, when playing catch with themselves. We were not very organized, and it showed, but the next play could not have been better scripted (I will try and say it like Greg Wrubell) 2nd down and about 10 yards to go. There is an empty backfield with the QB in the shotgun. R. Cornwall is out on the far side with single coverage he nodds to the QB and he nods back. The ball is snapped and Cornwall goes deep, the QB checks his reads and sees Cornwall with his man beat deep downfield. He throws the ball and goes right past the finger tips of the defender and into Robbie's hands 10...5.... Caught for the TOUCHDOWN.....TOUCHDOWN. Maybe there was a little drama but everything was true. It was the first of the game and It was a lot of fun. We lost 12-15. But we had a really fun time. I think I might try to walk onto the BYU team, but not as a receiver. We were deep in our territory and it was fourth down. So we needed to punt. Everyone asked who could punt. I usually let other people do it but I volunteered. Then what happened next was amazing to myself included. It was not the distance as much as the spiral that it had. I got a lot of complements from both teams. I don't think I could do that again if I tried. But we had fun.
As you can tell from the StarNews write up (above) the team was impressive, especially when one considers that on every drive Monrovia was something like 2nd and 30 or 3rd and 17 due to multitudes of penalties. But hey, they were just trying to get a little more practice in before league games start. Oh... Monrovia...
Dad has had a different exercise routine lately. Unlike his usual run, since he fixed up this bike for Rachel, he has been biking. He looked so great this morning I just had to take a picture of him.
Well, believe it or not but we found an extra gift card lying around from BB&B so we looked for some things we needed, needless to say there was nothing because we ended up with this.
Marybeth has asked for this more times than I can count. Well at least twice before. This time she picked it up and would not put it down. I told her that we could get it on one condition: that we never ever buy another one again.
But I would be lying if I didn't admit that they are a lot of fun. I tried to pick some really fun ones to use. They have every letter and number, and a lot of holiday ones. So cookie making will never be the same.
And the best part about these kind of cookies is being able to decorate them. We even made a few deliveries. namely Some to Phil and Liz. So if you ever need a cookie cutter I am sure we will have the one you are looking for.
Last week we had a little Provo Cornwall Reunion. Marybeth whipped up a couple of gourmet pizzas and cut up some pineapple that we got from costco, and it ended up being a pretty good meal.
And to make it better we ate it all outside, we bought two new chairs, (the blue ones) from the yard sale in our own front yard, and used our semi new table as a little buffet table which it is perfect for.
And last but not least the BYU game yesterday. It was a good game b/c of the "W" but it was a slow start, but there as plety to jump and down about, we had a very good time.
Grandpa came over for dinner last night. Dad grilled Salmon, we had garlic red mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, watermelon and of course -
Banana Cream Pie for dessert.
While Sarah and I were sitting in the DMV line for a very long time and while I was walking home from MHS, I was thinking about my driving experience (and the driving experiences of those six cute kids of mine). I don't remember actually taking my driving test and I couldn't find a journal entry - but I remember I took driver's education the summer before I turned 16 and Mr. Sandstedt was my teacher - the mens varsity basketball coach. That was a long hot class and he was so boring - but I wanted my license sooooo bad. I have a vague remembrance of the dreaded part of the test, parallel parking!!! I know I passed and that I was very very happy about it especially since I was the youngest in my class with my birthday in late September. The part I do have a vivid memory about was after the test. the afternoon of my test, I begged my mom if I could please take the car and drive somewhere, anywhere, truly wanting to have my friends see me or something. After much pleading she relented and said well, the Impala (pictured above, yes that is Todd Larsen and me) needs some gas. That was just the kind of errand I was looking for. I tanked up at the gas station and as I was pulling away, side swiped the entire back end of that gold car with the yellow post that protected the gas dispenser and having to go home and tell my mom the horrible news. I had to tell her a lot of horrible news about cars. I usually told her and let her break the news to my dad. He would always come in later in the day and say "You know I love you more than the car!!" Thanks mom and dad. (I'm afraid Dad has had to say that a few times also!) My second accident was backing out one car (the wagon below) and hitting the Impala when I was late for work, after I had ditched school and been skiing all day. Oh boy.
I don't have a picture of our last car when I was a teen - a Chevy Vega (The picture below looks similar although our Vega had blue and white stripes down the side). This car was a stick shift. I never dented this car - just dented my ego when in front of all my friends I missed four lights straight trying to get out of first gear. I thought it would be fun if the family posted driving memories!!!
For those who want to relive a little of Saturday's BYU victory and Greg Wrubell's exciting calls.
President and Sister Pike were our Morningside speakers last Friday morning. They are pictured above with their cute daughter Anna.
The speaker was followed by a breakfast of waffles, whip cream, hot syrup and fruit to put on top and all sorts of juice to wash that all down.
We invited all the seminary students in the stake and had a great turnout.
Happy Birthday to Megan Stevenson today. We had a really fun day at seminary today.
This bad boy was in our back yard on Saturday. I'm not thinking they are so cute these days after they have eaten my tomato blossoms.
We should have known that we would have a great game with the way things started. I read in the Daily universe that J Dawgs was selling for $1. We took advantage of that and boy was it great.
We were very satisfied with the food, but we had no idea what we were in for during the game
This was us pretty much for the whole first have. Jumping up and down, Slapping High Fives and screaming until we couldn't anymore. It was so great.
Marybeth apparently took some shots while I wasn't paying attention. But it was really good. From the mutliple fumbles, the interception, and the two missed field goals. It was such a fun game I am really glad we were there in person to witness it.
