We are back in our routine...the weather, not so much.

 We got another Tennessee like thunderstorm this week. I wouldn't let Colten ride his bike to school  a couple of days. But his football practice wasn't affected, Wednesday's practice was just really muddy. Aspen was busy working and completing school work. She did spent a few hours on Friday with Kailey before work.

Friday night we went to Snow Canyon to watch them play Hurricane. Well, that is an understatement, we watched Snow Canyon play and Hurricane attempt to play. Hurricane ended up losing 47-0 but we were happy because they were able to get a handful of first downs on their own. It was Snow Canyon's homecoming so they went all out. They even had the Zeppe's truck there. So of course we had some.

Saturday was a long day for us. A long day of waiting for Colten's game. We tried to pass time by attending the ward party at the Hurricane swimming pool for lunch and watch the BYU football game. BYU apparently forgot to get on the bus because they played horrible. I turned it off when Oregon scored 2 touchdowns within the first 5 minutes of the second half. Finally it was time to head to Colten's game against Crimson Cliffs. While Colten went to warm up's, Zac and I went to grab a sandwich and smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe (Aspen was working). 

Doug, Lindsay and Hunter made the drive down to watch Colten's game. Hollee and the girls, Grandma and Grandpa Chris and Stan were able to make it. On the first offensive play RJ broke out and ran like 80 yards for a touchdown but Hurricane failed to convert on the extra point. Then out came Colten with the defense. Colten had an awesome tackle on the first play (it was for a first down but he tackled him right away). Then the second play, again Colten tackled the runner but did something to his shoulder (same one as last year) and ended up not playing the rest of the game). He was upset when his dad and I went down to talk with him but Dough told him to make a decision and stand by it. Crimson ended up scoring on that drive and converting so the score was 7-6 and that ended up being the final score. Although Hurricane were close at the end but the time management (by refs and the booth) was not in our favor. All in all, it was a crushing lose for us but probably will light a fire under the boys.

Football is finally back

 Before I get to the exciting life of football, I'll recap some highlights from this week.  Zac and the kids were able to get the new TV up in the front room and wow, that screen is really big. I enjoyed watching a movie before church on Sunday before our internet decided to be stupid that afternoon. So we could stream anything but we did try to watch 2012 on dvd (until the dvd was too scratched). 

Monday was Labor Day so Zac went to work, Colten went to Washington Rec Center with Kamdyn, Aspen did a little painting and I watched TV. Tuesday after Young Women/Young Men's, Aspen and I headed over to the Hardy's house to look at formals for the Miss La Verkin pageant. She tried on a few different ones but finally decided on the blue one. Colten joined us to get a ride home. He was having fun seeing which one would work for Halloween.

Wednesday I headed down to St. George for my infusion. I had planned on being there for 6 hours and I got out in about 5. I did get to watch quite a few of One Tree Hill episodes and made plenty of trips to the bathroom.

Thursday brought the first NFL football game. Colten was sad that he would miss most of it due to having football practice. I guess Mother Nature heard him because his practice was cancelled due to lightening in the area. So he was able to watch the Buffalo Bills take on reigning Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams. And the Bills showed who was boss. But it was a great game to watch.

Friday we spent talking with Brandi to see if we could start a family business of buying The Big Chill. I have not slept well this week so I called it a night at like 9 after I picked up Aspen lol.

Saturday was Colten's first football game. He spent the morning playing Ultimate Frisbee with some people in the stake and came home to do some weeding. After lunch we started watching Thor with Annika and Channing before Zac and I had to leave to go check out a few things at Big Chill. After that we started to watch the Tennessee vs Pittsburgh game before heading out to my parents. We finished the game there and Tennessee was able to pull off the win. 

After that game was over we headed out to Colten's game. Apparently the earlier games had some lightening delay so we started a little later. But man, was it a good game. Hurricane practically used all the first quarter to drive down the field and score. We had lost our quarterback on like the second play so it was the back-up qb who was running the plays, and they were all run plays. Dixie pretty much shut us down but with the help of penalties we were able to go down and score. Unfortunately, Dixie answered. Then it was a battle until the very end. Colten played on both offense (although didn't start) and defensive. We were almost at half-time and Dixie threw a long pass to Colten's guy. Although Colten was a little behind and the guy caught the ball, Colten dove and tripped up the guy who fumbled the ball out of bounds. Colten was pretty upset after that play but played hard until half-time. Hurricane intercepted the ball on the last play of the half.

Second half Colten did awesome. He had like 4 tackles and almost intercepted the ball. And Hurricane kept fighting and holding Dixie off. Then with about a minute left in the game, Gunner pitched the ball to Parker who then threw the ball to Grady in the end zone and we scored! We didn't get our one-point conversion but we were up 13-7. When Dixie had the ball, we were able to intercept it with 9 seconds left. It was an awesome game. So happy for all the boys but especially for Colten who was able to get his emotions in check and have an awesome second half.

I wanted to recreate the picture from Colten's first football game this year. Man has Colten grown!

Excessive heat in September...no bueno

Last Sunday we were able to play Finder's Seeker as a family. It is an escape room that you can play from home. This one is London. We got almost half way through it but having 7 minds working together can be tricky at times. I think Annika and Channing enjoyed it too and are excited for the next time we'll be continuing it. 

So this past week the temperatures have been in the triple digits which is not usual for September. I guess the 4 weeks of rain and cooler temperatures in August made nature a little mad. Luckily I work from an AC home and try to not go outside too much (or stay in the shade). On Wednesday, I went and got highlights added to my hair so now my hair is no longer my natural color. But Zac and the kids have said it looks nice.

Aspen has been busy working, doing online school and just added La Verkin pageant to her plate. She said something about it last year and I didn't follow up on anything so it didn't happen. This year we attended the meeting to get all the information so I guess we are doing a pageant. Still struggling with her talent that can be done in 3 minutes but we'll figure something out. She took this weekend off so we have enjoyed having her home for a little bit.

Colten has been keeping himself busy. He is finally getting over the cough and is able to breath better. He has been biking to school everyday. He even biked to his ortho appointment (after school), got braces checked, set up a new appointment and then home this week. It was heaven for me. Anytime he has down time, he is off biking with friends or hanging out with them.

Friday afternoon Colten had a football friendship swim party at the Stewart's house. I went to help provide supervision because you can never have too many eyes with 25 boys. The boys seemed to get along really well and have lots of fun together.

Friday night was Hurricane's first season home game. We decided we wanted to try out the booster's club this year because booster's get in free to home games for football and basketball. Aspen went and did the student section this game because that is what high schooler's do. Hurricane was playing Pine View and neither of them had a great pre-season so we weren't sure what to expect. But Hurricane played better than we have ever seen and led the entire game. Although there were holes on defense that allowed PV QB to get some serious run yards. But at 9:05 the stadium lights turned off. No announcement as to why. So I asked one of the 8th grade football moms if she knew and she said that they forgot to turn the timers off for the game. So, we had to wait about 25 mins for the lights to turn back on. Then with 2:33 left in the game, the lights went off again. Not sure the reason this time but I am assuming a timer again. Finally at 10:20 we were able to finish the game. It was a late night but a fun game to watch as Hurricane got their first region win in two years.

Saturday started early because Annika and Channing were in the Peach Days parade. Going on our prior Hurricane parade experience, we didn't think the parade would go longer than 30 mins. Boy, were we wrong. Aspen and Colten got a little candy when it was thrown to them. Colten even got a skim board. He was picked out of the crowd and was asked if he had ever skim boarded before...he said no and they said well here is a new board for you to try it. Annika and Channing looked cute up on the trailer representing Fuzion Dance. We should have definitely brought our chairs to sit on for this parade.

After the parade, we walked around all the booths that were there. Zac got himself a pocket knife that had the American flag lasered on. Then he got me new dish towels, one Broncos and one an American flag to go on our stove door. We had lunch at Taste of Aloha, which always tastes good and got some lemonade at Twisted Lemonade, oh and funnel cakes. Zac and I shared a peach one and kids shared caramel apple. II was super hot so Zac, Aspen and I went home while Colten hung out with his friends.

A little bit later  we went back to Peach Days for dinner. Zac had a Navajo taco and the kids and I had teriyaki bowls. The kids also got themselves Zeppe's. After dinner we headed to Wal-Mart so my big purchase of a 75" TV. I got the official word this week that my bankruptcy is officially closed so I can start building my credit again. Plus I am celebrating my hard work over the summer to get 67 kids to pass math lol. A 75" TV is huge but will make football season awesome :)