It's Football Time!

As I was taking Sophie out this morning there was a crispness in the air and that certain scent that tells you fall is just around the corner, ready to pop in and say hi. The kids are back in school, the days are slowly getting shorter, and sweaters and jeans are appearing in the stores. Brook's favorite season is getting ready to appear and that means one thing: football.

This will be Zach's fourth year of playing football. He absolutely loves it. He had such a great time on his Dolphin team in Colorado that he wasn't quite sure how Utah football would rate. He plays on a 7th grade Lone Peak team, made up of boys from his junor high school. He loves it and it's been a great way for him to meet kids in the area. Brook also helps coach and they basically get a father/son activity four times a week.

We played their first game Wednesday night against the other Lone Peak team and although we played a great game, the points weren't in our favor. We lost 13-19, but it was still exciting. Zach plays quarterback and had some great passes and a lot of fun. I think the highlight of his game, however, was him walking off the field and seeing all four of his grandparents standing there. His smile was as wide as it could be. He was so excited to have them watch him. He played in Colorado for 3 years and never had any "fans" to cheer for him. In fact, when we moved to Utah he confided in me one day, "At least Grandma and Grandpa can come watch me play." It made his whole week to have them there.

Pictured are Zach and his friends Matt and Knight.

Bear Lake

One of our favorite places in the world is Bear Lake. My parents have had a summer place there for the past 20 years or so and we have so many wonderful memories there. It always rates right at the top when the kids talk about their special places. They've gone every summer for their entire lives. Brook and I were able to take the kids, as well as two of their cousins, Bree and Hailey, to Grandma and Grandpa's new cabin a couple weeks ago. We got there right after it got dark and were unpacking when Zach began insisting that there was a moose across the street. Well, sad to say, but Zach isn't always the most reliable source of information. He really likes to tease his sisters and we thought he was joking. Soon, however, Brook called me out there. Sure enough, a mother moose and baby moose were making their way down the road, right past the cabin. We all hurried onto the deck and watched them walk slowly by. They acted like they didn't have a care in the world. It was a full moon that night and the most beautiful sight, but unfortunately too dark to get any pictures, although that didn't stop Breanne from trying! We had a nice short weekend and are looking forward to going up on Labor Day with the whole Allred clan.

Brynn and her cousin Hailey in front of the cabin. They are two peas in a pod and get along like peanut butter and jelly. How lucky to have your best friend be your cousin!

Caitlyn and Breanne hanging out at the pool. They are so cute and just laughed all weekend.

Zach had to fly solo this trip as the only boy. I don't think it bothered him in the least though. He has a gift of always finding ways to make life fun. We're lucky to have him in our family.

It's about time

The Brook and Gretchen Buhrley family are FINALLY attempting this blog thing. It's been so much fun reading the many blogs of friends and family. It's often been the only way we know what's going on in everyone's busy lives! We're going to test the water and see if we're equipped to take the plunge. Cheer us on. Hopefully this will begin a great tradition for our family.