#53

To many people this came as a surprise, but for Tom and I this is the end of something that has been fun, challenging, frustrating, and great. Tom is gradutating after this season, and so it is his final season of football. It was really exciting to have him honored at senior day at his last home game in Lavell Edwards Stadium.

Tom is part of a senior class that has never lost a game at home. Way to go Cougars!

Tom has come a long way, and I am very proud of him. From being a nationally ranked center in high school, to a freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman Team Selection his freshman year at Vanderbilt, to playing here in Provo for the BYU Cougars, Tom has worked very hard. Although these past couple of years have been challenging, with knee injuries to overcome as well as shoulder injuries, it has been a special time in Tom's life that I have been grateful to share. Tom has grown and learned so much, made a lot of friends, and has been an example for not just me, but for so many people. He is so talented, and I am so proud of him.

We are now excited to continue on and explore some of our other talents, off the football field. We are both very happy and excited for what the future holds, and are very grateful for this wonderful experience. We are also grateful for the coaches and supporters along the way that helped Tom to become the great player and person that he is. Thank you for all of your kindness and support.
I know there are others of you who will be missing this cute butt out there on the field in those sexy stretchy pants . . . .

Tag

My first tag that I've actually done. Thanks Courtney!

8 TV Shows I like to watch:
1. Emeril Live
2. What Not To Wear
3. America's Next Top Model
4. Grizzly Man Diaries
5. 30 Minute Meals
6. The Office
7. Iron Chef America
8. Jon and Kate + Eight


8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. Finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusack, Hamlet, and the book of Alma in the B.O.M.
2. Ate waaaay too many 3 Musketeers (they're not even really my favorite)
3. Went on a bike ride up my favorite Big Springs trail up South Fork in Provo Canyon with my mom
4. Ripped another hole in my favorite Paige's
5. Went to Macaroni Grill for old times sake with my lover (Tom)

6. Looked at everyone's fun Halloween costumes on their blogs and facebook and lamented that I wasn't more creative this year

7. Decided that the only thing that will keep me warm this year is more scarves

8. Was smushed by Tom while we were taking a nap (the unconcious steamroller)

8 Favorite Places to Eat:

1. Macaroni Grill

2. Benihanas

3. Cafe Rio

4. Tucanos

5. Biaggi's

6. CPK

7. Kneaders

8. Magleby's

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. The Holidays!

2. Getting my hair done

3. the end of the football season (not that it hasn't been fun)

4. Skiing

5. Tom getting home from practice

6. Nordy's half-yearly sale

7. making yummy Thanksgiving and Christmas treats!

8. Tom getting home!!

8 Things I am passionate about:

1. My family

2. teaching/school/english

3. reading

4. being outdoors

5. the gospel

6. helping others

7. traveling

8. getting 8 hours of sleep

8 people I tag:

1. Bonnie

2. Carly (Miss Smith)

3. Zach

4. Kendall

5, 6, 7, 8- anyone who wants to!

Neglect . . .

Signs that I haven't been riding my bikes enough:

The water in my water bottle and camelback is stale.

The Thunderbolt has two flat tires.

My visiting teachers think that my roadie is part of my home decor.

I will be the first person to admit that I am not the best at decorating, but really, I need to take advantage of the weather right now, before it starts getting cold . . .

Books, books, books

Check out my reading blog! It's starting out as a project for a class, but I have a feeling that I'll want to keep going with it . . . . enjoyabook.blogspot.com

Discovered in AF

Last Saturday Mom, Jen, & I were in American Fork- and found this sweet stop right off of Main Street! Flour Girls & Dough Boys Bakery. They have all sorts of yummy stuff!!


Absolutely darling! I loved the smell and feeling of the place.

Not to mention all of their yummy food . . . which includes all sorts of breads, sandwiches, soups, and pastries. I would recommend the raspberry bars and the shortbread cookies. So good!! You will absolutely fall in love with this place if you go there, as I did! It also has free wi-fi- pretty good for little ol' AF!

Flour Girls & Dough Boys
35 North Barrett Avenue
American Fork, UT

State Fair & the Knights

A few weeks ago Tom and I went to the state fair! It was lots of fun! We especially liked looking (and sometimes petting) all the animals. If you ever go to the state fair- see the worlds largest alligator. It costs a dollar, but it's so worth it! The thing looks like a dinosaur!! We also had fun eating fried food (hey, it's the fair) which doesn't really sit too well with me- at all. But the funnel cakes were a hit, as were the TIGERS!


Me petting a goose. I think he liked it.

So this is the largest steer I have ever seen. Just to give you an idea of how big it is- Tom is 6'5" and the steer was pretty much as tall as him. And weighed more too! about 2000 pounds if I remember correctly.

But he was gentle!!

Dad & Jen at Kelley's soccer game. Kelley's a junior at Lone Peak High School and has been having a great season despite getting bronchitis. Way to go Kell!!

The Knights after a hard won victory last Thursday. Kelley plays defense- she's number 4. It's kinda funny because every time she gets the ball and kicks it we shout out "FOUR!" like you would in golf. Just to let Kell know that we love her and support her. Go Knights!!

Finally . . . FALL!!

I can't even describe how excited I am that fall is here! Honestly, it's one of my favorite seasons! Better than summer, when you sweat all day and get sunburns, that's for sure! I'm ready for the change of weather- bring it on! Of course this change of weather means all sorts of wonderful things happen- such as going back to school (I'm not being sarcastic-I'm really enjoying it!). Tom is doing well in school right now also. Way to go on all those biology quizzes babe- 100%- woohoo! I'm especially loving my Literature for Adolescents class- where we are required to read 30 young adult novels- finally, an excuse for being a book worm! Love it! I discovered a sweet new site that helps me keep track of everything I've read, and also allows me to share books and book reviews with people- amazing! Check it out at goodreads.com


Fall also means bike rides and changing scenery- what a beautiful place we live in!!

. . . and also Swiss Days- with yummy scones bigger than your face!

. . . and our late summer favorite- peaches. Yum! Thank's to Tom's mom for giving us some! They're delicious! I think I just might make a peach cobbler tonight . . . :)