Skol Vikings

Minnesota Trip October 2009

All I can say is "WOW!" Jordan and I went to Minnesota for a 6 day weekend trip. My mom treated us so well; she still can whip up some great meals at 81 years of age. We also spent time with my brother, Mark, who is recovering from a knee replacement, his wife, Brenda, their kids Nate, Bart, and Tim, and Nate's family, Melesa, Sam, and Gabe, and Bart's family, Marta, Seby, and Ava. Jordan and I went to a Twins game, one of the last in the Metrodome, an open house for the new University of Minnesota Gopher football stadium, to a mass in the Basilica, watched the LDS General Conference, took mom to Olive Garden, and the pinnacle event.... the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Monday Night Football game. It was the first time that Brett Favre had faced his old team. He has now played against and won a game from every team in the NFL, after he, Jared Allen's 4.5 sacks, and Adrian Peterson's rushing led to a 30-23 win. What a BLAST! My two new favorite songs are "Skol Vikings" and "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin.

Rise and Shout

So on Friday, September 4, I get a call from the clan and their mother. Can you take us/them to Kaylie's swim party tomorrow? It is from 5-8 pm. 5-8 pm???? WTHeck? Don't they follow ANY football, especially the hometown college team? The BYU Cougars are playing #3 Oklahoma!!! Well, I trust that my DVR will record the game, and go ahead with the offer to spend quality time with the kids. I hope to avoid knowing the score so I can watch it when I get home. But NOOOO, there is a stereo and speaker system all over the pool broadcasting the KSL radio play-by-play. So I start to listen, and listen, and as each quarter rolls along almost everyone at the pool party is listening to the game in one way or another. So by the end of the swimming, the Coogs are marching down the field and score the go ahead touchdown. There is an energy brewing. We start cheering and then when the Sooners' kicker misses the last ditch attempt to win with a field goal, the whole neighborhood erupts. You can hear people cheering all over the cul-de-sac and beyond. I load up the kids and as I honk our way through Grandview my daughter, Meghan, says, "Let's drive through (BYU) campus." So we do and we find a furor of fans all over the place. Students are jumping all over the Cougartown Y at University and 800 North. Jordan opened the side minivan door and almost ripped his arm off giving people high-fives as we pass Brick Oven. Anyway, what a riot. I had a great night. Video to post soon.

Charlie Bit My Finger