Tradition

One of the traditions we have in our family is to go to a BYU football game each year.  Since the Mountain West started it has been easy to make those games because one year they play in Albuquerque and the next year they play in Ft. Worth.  This year the game was against TCU in Ft. Worth.  BYU has not had a good year, and we wondered if we should even go since we kind of knew what the outcome of the game would be, but we went anyways so we wouldn't break tradition.  The game was as expected, but we had a great time as a family.  I am thankful for traditions that help make us take the time we need to take to be together as a family.  We were only there Friday night and Saturday, but we were able to go to Six Flags Friday night and Saturday morning.  The kids all agreed Friday night was the best time they have ever had at Six Flags because there were very few people there.  Here are a few pictures from the game.

Emily

Tyson

Justin (he had just finished a frozen strawberry thing, you can see the results on his face)

Ryan

Abigail trying her hardest to cheer the cougars on to victory.

Emily Wins Her First Tournament

We had a lot going on yesterday.  Jeff and Emily left the house at 7:45 for a tennis tournament, and I followed with Tyson, Justin, Ryan, and Abigail to be in the Harvest Festival parade.  This was the first time we have ever done that parade.  I was in charge of the entry for Bennett.  We were just going to walk, but at the last minute someone offered to let us use their trailer, so we had some kids walking and some on the trailer.  The kids had a wonderful time.  Tyson was not excited about it, but when he saw a lot of his friends show up, and realized how much candy they could pick up while walking in the parade his attitude changed.  After the parade was the annual Fun Run.  Justin and Tyson both ran in it, they were both in the top ten, but didn't get a medal.  Soccer games were next, we had two at the same time so Jeff left the tennis tournament to coach Ryan's soccer team and I went to Justin's game; Tyson played after them.  Jeff watched Tyson while I went back to the tennis tournament because Emily was getting ready to play in the Semi-finals.  I made it in time to watch most of that match, and then Jeff and the kids made it in time to see half of the final game.  Emily won the match 8 - 2.  We were all so excited for her.  I think this is the best I have seen her play.  She played a little more aggressive than she usually is, and it paid off.  I had given her some spirit socks to wear since it was a little chilly in the morning, and we are now calling them her good luck charm.  Tyson said she shouldn't ever wash them, thank goodness Emily doesn't agree!  Here is a picture of her with her trophy and her "good luck" socks!

Justin's Baptism

Justin right before his baptism

Justin was baptized on September 18.  In some ways it is hard to believe he is eight, but in others way he seems a lot older than eight.  Justin has always done things with the older two, and sometimes I think we forget how young he is.  He was very prepared for this day.  Jeff made sure he fully understood the covenants he would be making.  One night while he was quizzing him Emily said, "Man, no one taught me all of this stuff before I got baptized."  She agreed she still would have been baptized, so I guess we are OK.   It was a special day, and we are so grateful to everyone for coming out to it.  Grandma and Grandpa Yardley, and Aunt Andrea, Lindsey, Heather, and Savannah all came out for the big occasion.  They just changed to stake baptisms, but Justin was the only one in the stake getting baptized that month so he still got his own baptism.  He had our friend Rich Hardy, and my sister Andrea give the two talks.  Emily and Lindsey did a piano/violin duet.  They did a great job especially since they only had a few days to practice. 

While Grandma and Grandpa, and the Andersons were out here we decided to show them some of the sights around Lubbock.  On Friday we went to the Caverns in Carlsbad, NM.  My younger three kids hadn't been, or at least didn't remember going, so it was a first for a lot of people.  I took the elevator to the bottom and just walked around the big room with my Mom, Ryan, Abigail, and Savannah.  That is the way to do it with young ones.  Abigail keeps asking when we can go back. 

Savannah, Ryan, and Abigail

Everyone right before entering the cave

Saturday night after the baptism we were planning on going to Joy Land, but it had closed down for the season so we went to the corn maize.  I thought this was a unique thing to Lubbock, but as we were going through it Andrea said they had been to several of them,  After we took turns shooting the corn cob cannon.  It was pretty fun trying to hit the target.  Grandpa Yardley thought he could show us how it was done, but in the end it was Heather who was the pro at it!

Grandpa showing us all how to do it

Heather showing off one of her two free candy coupons she won.

The whole gang after shooting the cannons

This is the first time any of my family has come to Lubbock.  I have always discouraged it because there isn't a whole lot to do, but we are so glad the Andersons could come.  The kids had a lot of fun playing with each other.  I am always amazed at how well they get along even though they hardly see each other.  There is definitely something to be said about having cousins.  We don't get to see any of them very often, but when they are together they have a wonderful time!