Beaver Believers!!!

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Well folks, it is that time of year again - Beaver football season!!! This season has started off a little rocky. Okay, a LOT rocky. But, we have enjoyed it nonetheless. The kids love to go to the games, and it makes for a great family day out. We will take it!!

Here are some photos of the kids (Abby, Andy, and Cousin Colton) a the Pac-12 (so weird typing that) home opener vs. UCLA. We lost, but the kids looked adorable!

I love how Andy looks like a "Big Boy" standing next to Colton. Like "Yeah, I know... I'm standing by myself all cool like". Either that, or he just looks really old standing next to a 9 month old - or both.

The next home game was against Arizona and I wanted to win that game BAD. They broke our James last year. Just a stupid, mean, tackle IN THE ENDZONE that pretty much derailed his career. Makes me grumpy. Seems like that was the catalyst that took away him, Jacquizz, Katz, and our ability to score. Damn you Wildcats. Damn you I say.

Good news? We WON! I was so happy on the inside - take that stupid Arizona. We might not be great this year, but we beat YOU - haha! :)

After the game we met up with Mark and Heather Johnson. They are family friends from Baker and their son plays, - ahem - starts for the Beavers.

Travis comes from one of those small towns in Eastern Oregon where everybody knows each other, went to school together, and lived by each other. The way I understand it, Mark and Heather used to live behind Trav's parents, Mark went to school with Uncle Russell, and they currently live in Baker and know with Steve and Marilyn. Don't quote me on all that. But that is what I got out of it.

Anyways, we met up with them after the game and visited while waiting for Grant to get out of the locker room.

You could say that Andy took to Mark pretty easily...

Mark is like a celebrity among the players and introduced us to a few. Above left is Kicker #7 Johnny Hekker. Andy wasn't sure of these "BEAVERS" up close and personal - they were tall!

Grant (#70) chatted with the kids for awhile after he came out of the locker room. He was really nice and brought them each a game day glove and signed it, etc. Abby was acting all shy, but Andy was more than willing to try on a glove and chat it up with Grant. He was really good with Andy and just a really nice kid to take the time to chat with him.

Here is Grant's Bio. Small town kid that worked hard and made it to the starting line of OSU:
http://www.osubeavers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_grant00.html

Then, we made the mistake of thinking we could get in a "group shot" with everyone looking. This was the best one. Not too bad...

Anyways, thanks to Mark, Heather, and Grant Johnson. I think you made Trav's and Andy's days! It was really nice to meet you, and you have a great kid there!!!

PS Marilyn - Make sure Grandma sees these pictures!!! ;-)

Baker Bound

Trav took the kids and went to Baker, by himself, for THREE LONG days.
I missed my kids a lot, but I got a TON done as well.

And, I will say I enjoyed a little bit of alone time.
But, the moment they walked back in, I couldn't beleive how happy I was to see them!

This is how Abby and Auntie Marilyn spent the weekend:

They did take some time off to Celebrate Trav's Birthday in Style!

Look how proud she is of that cake - she is glowing!

Grandma Brown and Andy spent the weekend bonding over Whiskey.

I think there is some in the bottle she if feeding him...

And, of course there was some picture taking. Top one is out at the Ranch

(where Steve & Marilyn live now, but where Trav spent a LOT of time growing up).

The bottom picture is w/Grandma right before they took off home.

All in all, it was a GREAT trip says Trav. But, he did mention he had a new appreciation for what I do all day and that he would it again, but not for awhile! :)