Engineering Extravaganza

It was a field trip day.  We went to the Engineering Extravaganza at BSU.  This is a perfect field trip for sixth graders.  You begin with a presentation on space travel and physics by someone from the Discovery Center.  It was interesting and entertaining.  She had everyone involved.  Then our classes are divided up and they move to different centers in the engineering building where engineering students give the groups information and answer questions.  All of the displays are very hands-on.  There are always 4 or 5 kids that are definitely going to be engineers.  They are all over this trip.  Those that aren't going to pass algebra, enjoy it too.  This year they made cheese out of milk and vinegar.  It wasn't too bad.  They pedaled a bike to power light bulbs and a blow dryer, sat in a dune buggy, learned about wind tunnels, computer gaming engineers, and the big highlight - rode a Segway. 

BSU TCU

Well this is a hard post to write.  We lost.  At home.  It ended a 35 game win streak on the blue turf.  It came down to one second, and Ty's friend missing a field goal.  I felt like all the air was sucked out of me.  Stunned.  People at the stadium felt the same way.  They said it was silent, and everyone just sat there for about 10 minutes.  Kellen Moore has lost 3 games in the past four years - one in overtime with a missed field goal, and two to TCU by one point. 

We had made plans to go to dinner with Mike and Stace after the game.  I really didn't want to talk about it, but we did.  Dinner was at Mickey Rays.  The place was packed, and everyone there was in blue and orange.  It was a quiet crowd.  I will say the food was good.  I should have ordered mac and cheese.  I needed comfort food.

BSU vs. UNLV

The game last night didn't start until after 8:00.  We were a little worried about being able to stay up until midnight, but Terry and I still have a bit of spunk in us.  We didn't even have to take a nap that afternoon.  The late start gave us a chance to go to The Green Chile and enjoy a meal with Rich and Karren beforehand.  We had a Groupon that expired that night.  Then we headed over to the big screen in the basement with our caramel corn and pumpkin fudge to watch our Broncos win.  Yeah!

BSU vs. Air Force

I wasn't at the game, but I was outside to see the four F10s from Mountain Home fly over the stadium.  It sounded and looked impressive.  This game was the first one that had us a little nervous.  They didn't have Air Force figured out.  We won the game, but they won our respect. 

Big Day

Yesterday was a big day!  Besides Maycee's arrival, I went to Nampa to have Kierra cut my hair, which I really needed.  We had a good visit too.  Also, BSU played Fresno State.  We whipped them, of course.  Terr and I went to our friend's for the game; projected on the back of a big white sign.  It should be noted that we also had take-out from Cafe Rio.  It's hard to beat that - a baby, a haircut, a win, and a favorite dinner. 

Conference Weekend

All Mormons look forward to General Conference, which takes place on the first weekend of April, and the first weekend of October.  It's a chance to watch church on TV, in your pajamas if you want.  It's also a time when we can receive guidance from our prophet and church leaders.  It's always a spiritually uplifting weekend. 

This weekend there was also a BSU game.  This was an important one - Nevada.  They're the ones that beat us last year in double overtime.  This year it wasn't even a contest.  The game was during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.  We don't have the ability to record the game, so we watched it live and recorded conference on the computer.  We also tuned in during half-time.

Sunday afternoon, Bry and Amee came for dinner and watched the last session with us.  We had chicken enchilada soup, and a real good visit.

All Day Date

Terry and I went down to the Twin Falls temple on Saturday.  We had to leave a little after 7:00 to make our 10:00 appointment.  I had been through the temple at the open house a couple years ago, but I had forgotten how much I liked the decor.  The furniture has modern lines.  The colors scheme has a lot of green, blue, and gold, with a lighter wood finish.  While waiting, I tried to think how I could implement the decor into my house.  It would have to be more casual.  I wouldn't want a house that beautiful.

The session was really nice.  I'd missed not going to the temple.  Actually the drive down and back was nice too.  I read information for my RS lesson, and Terry gave his input.  We also had some lunch at a good Mexican restaurant right on the main drag.  We didn't make it back to Boise until after 3:00.  It was a very nice all day date, but our fun wasn't over.

BSU was playing Tulsa so we went over to my parent's to watch with them.  Our pregame eats included Dad's special burgers.  He remembered his dad making burgers for a fundraiser back in Ashton.  He'd tried his own version of half hamburger, half sausage, and a bunch of cheese mixed in the patties.  They were mighty good.  We also had spicy humus dip with Fritos, dill pickles, Snickers and cinnamon bears.  Awesome eats!  BSU was awesome too.

BSU vs. Toledo

We're determined not to miss a game this year, but not one will be broadcast on our TV.  We have to be friendly and forward, and invite ourselves over.  Our lucky friends this week were the Farnsworths.  Rich and Karren live in a log cabin, in the middle of a regular subdivision.  They have a projector so we could watch the game on the big screen, or more correctly, the back of a sign that use to advertise Karren's school.  Their son Aaron joined us.  We all had Boise State T-shirts.  It was a good game, not tense.  There were great snacks, and of course the Broncos won.   

Season Opener

BSU went to Athens, Georgia to beat the Bulldogs, 35-21.  The game was never close enough to make you nervous.  The Broncos just made us proud.  Ty’s friend from Liberty Elementary made the cut as the 1st string kicker.  He couldn’t believe that “our boy Dan is on ESPN, kicking PATs, against Georgia”.  Crazy!  Fun!

It’s hard to imagine a better night, but the meatball sandwiches and banana bread did add to the overall excellence.

My class has started the Bronco bulletin board collage, and a photo album of Trail Wind Bronco fans in Bronco gear.  The last few years we adopted my nephew, Matt, as our personal player.  Since he’s not playing this year, I think we may have to adopt Dan Boy.  We make a great fan club. 

Happy Trails to You

I went to the funeral of my friend’s brother today.  He was 58, developmentally handicapped, a kind, hard working man.  He made the decision in life to be a Democrat… in Idaho.  He worked on every campaign.  Frank Church and Cecil Andrus knew him by name.  He also decided to be a Bronco, way before there was a reason to cheer.  He had season tickets to football and basketball games for almost 40 years.  He never missed a game.  He missed his sister’s wedding, but not the game.

It was a beautiful service.  His brother gave a thoughtful eulogy, very wise and witty.  The displayed cowboy boots and the Bronco balloons just fit.  So did the music, Morning Has Broken (my favorite Cat Stevens song), Let There Be Peace On Earth, and Happy Trails to You.  The music was happy, sweet, and perfect.