USU football

USU football started out their season playing nationally ranked and defending champion Auburn(yes that's my Alabama Crimson Tide's rival). I think I can safely say that no one expected much from USU---I just hoped we wouldn't end up with zero on the scoreboard. Needless to say, I thought it would be a pretty boring game with Auburn dominating it. Much to my surprise, USU gave quite the battle. The scoring went back and forth between the teams(we have an awesome freshman QB--Chuckie Keeton) and I was on the edge of my seat the whole game---I didn't want to leave because the action was happening so quickly! And with 3 minutes left, USU was 10 points ahead. Unfortunately the defense broke down and Auburn ended up winning in the last 3 minutes by 4 points! Even though I was disappointed by the loss, I was so impressed with the offensive team! USU has had so many losing seasons, that to start out with such an awesome game, that I wanted to attend game up in Logan. So last weekend my friend and I attended the Weber State vs USU game up in Logan. With the first half of the game, I was ready to leave---we were playing awful(not anything like last week)---it didn't matter we were tied 17-17 by half-time because it was not good football to watch. But I don't know what was said to the team during half-time, but they came out with their game on--back to exciting football game watching---we ended up winning 54-17--and each touchdown was an exciting play/s to watch! I have to admit though, I was feeling bad for Weber State after we got 2 touchdowns ahead---I secretly wished we would just leave an area open for them to have some success cuz they had to be feeling horrible! All I can say is I better start saving for a bowl game ticket if their success continues as such!

The Aquarium & Temple Square

My nephew and his family came to visit me a few weekends ago. We explored the Utah Aquarium---loved seeing the octopus climbing up a rock wall, the lit up jellyfish, the cute seahorses, the rapid swimming penguins, the soft sting-rays(which we got to help feed) and the multitude of other sea life we got to observe! Afterwards we stopped by Temple Square in SLC to admire the beautiful grounds and buildings. Inside the south visitors center, we saw all sorts of stuff on temples(there was a mini-replica of the SL temple showing all the inside of it) and family(loved watching the LDS commercials on family). And we couldn't leave without going to the north visitor center to walk up the circular ramp(walls painted like beyond earth's atmosphere--in purples and blues) and ending up viewing the white statue of Christ's outstretched arms! Love that place! Anyway, it was great to have visitors and great to have an excuse to eat out(because I'm such the non-cook)!

Denver, CO

Last weekend I visited my niece and her family in Denver. The kids taught me about Xbox, but I still couldn't figure it out(and I tried). I fear my hands, fingers and brain are just not "wired" for that kind of entertainment! But I had an awesome time playing other activities with all 4 of them! We always play 'til we're worn out!! Plus we got to celebrate Alana's 4th birthday!! We rode bikes(with Alana learning to ride better & faster) to a park nearby, and spent a few hours there. And I couldn't believe that I got sunburned(on arms and face)--it's not like this was my first time in sun this summer--I did have a healthy tan already--so I was quite surprised(and I didn't even get a hint of burn in Jackson on water)! Anyway, I sure slept well at nights after exerting so much energy during the days!! And of course, it wouldn't be a trip to Denver if I didn't play Phase 10 with my niece 'Netta---we both absolutely LOVE that game---I barely won by 25 points! It seems to be that the only time I play Phase 10 these days--I need to find a fellow Phase 10-lover in my neighborhood! Years ago, I believe in 1997-1998(or both years) I played every Thursday night with 2 or 3 friends that would come over to my place for our "Friends"/"ER" night(played Phase 10 in between shows) and Sunday nights after "Hercules"/"Xena"---even made own score cards in lamination so they could be used over and over again! Maybe that's another reason I love the game so much is because of the many fond memories with my niece and friends that come along with it!

Sisters

I was able to spend some time with my sisters this past summer just having some fun! First, I visited Diana in Twin Falls, ID--we ate out(Buffalo Wings), went to a movie(Captain America) and went to temple there in Twin Falls! We had a great time hanging out!(And I did help with some organizing at her place)! Then I visited my other sister, JoAnn(and her husband) down in Ephraim, UT. We had a cook-out up Ephraim Canyon(my first time eating bratz--and the chili and cheese one was delicious--loved the chili dog taste without the mess)! We also went to the drive-in theater in Mt Pleasant to see Harry Potter 7.2. I hadn't been to a drive-in theater since the 90's, so it was fun to enjoy the fresh air while watching a movie from car(we laid down back of my CR-V and lined with pillows and blankets)! Loved getting to spend some time with my older sisters!!!

Jackson Hole

A few weekends ago, I went to Jackson Hole, WY with my nephew and his wife. We drove the way there is more freeway(though construction through ID slowed us down) thru Idaho and then go east to Jackson. Going that way allows you to stop at Swan Valley for square-shaped ice cream scoops---definitely worth the stop! We used the GPS to find our motel to which the final directions were: "Drive 12 miles and make a U-turn"---hafta say that was the oddest driving command I had ever gotten on my GPS(our motel was at an intersection that we couldn't turn across to get there ). And I bet our Pony Express Motel was the only motel in town with bunk beds! It was nice to arrive to cooler temperatures in Jackson---so we took time to explore the town ---got pics at Jackson Square with all the antlers, rode on a horse drawn carriage(and we were the envy of everyone's eye as we passed--so we're in pictures and kids waving at us--felt like a bit of royalty) and browsed the shops. And we ate at some awesome restaurants: Bubba's for you meat-loving bbq people and Merry Piglets for those who love fresh-tasting, homemade salsa type Mexican food! But the main purpose of coming to Jackson was to white water raft, of course! I've been here many times to raft the Snake River and absolutely LOVE it!!(even if I did fall out one time)! There are some "new" rapids in the trip since a land slide this past Spring(with all the rain), but the Lunch Counter and Big Kahuna are still the "big ones"! We had 2 sturdy and strong men at the front so I had no worries(but at the beginning of the season there were many cap-sized rafts since water was so high(once again from all that rain and snow we had)--so I was glad we waited until August when water levels were more "normal" and water a "bit" warmer(like the 40s-50s). Always love a good adventure!