The Start of the New Season 2010-11

We started the new BYU Cougarette season at the Cougar Kickoff. Krissa, Dave and McKailey came to see all the new Cougarettes and Cheerleaders. We tried to get McKailey to say hi to Cosmo but she got all shy on us. All she wanted to know was what his real name was. She seemed satisfied when Sarah told her the secret, but she still wouldn't go visit with him. Next time maybe she will give him a kiss.

It seemed a little weird not seeing all the old team, but coming straight from the "Dance Captain" herself (Sarah) we have a superior team shaping up. Daytona Beach here we come. AGAIN!!!!!!!

Memorial Day

On Saturday, Steve and I took a trip to Fielding, UT for a little BBQ/Weenie Roast with my Dad. Janie and Kay and Cortney and Erin and the kids all met us there too. We had the greatest day ever! We talked and laughed and enjoyed the day. We also went to the cemetery to put some flowers on Grandma and Grandpa Moss's grave. I watched as my Dad loving took a bucket and scrub brush and cleaned it off. It touched me and taught me. In the previous post there is a picture of him cleaning it. Because of his great example, Steve and I left on Sunday after church to Tooele to put some flowers on his parents' headstones and to clean it off as well. It was a beautiful day and I felt close to them as we paid our respect. I was touched by Steve's careful attention. I miss them a lot and can only imagine Steve's sadness at times. It is a very beautiful stone. The Cemetery was alive with people and flowers. The colors were so vibrant. I also learned something I didn't know. People use the same flowers over and over each year. At the end of the Memorial Day week they return to the Cemetery to pick up the flowers before the caretaker has to throw them away. Huh! Didn't know that!

Reminders of the Past

Seeing things from your past sure does bring a flood of memories. Take a look at the pink bowl on the table and the pink tin cup on the counter. These two items take me back to my childhood at my Grandma Moss's house. She used the bowl and the cup for many, many years and true to form, my Dad still uses them today. I sat at this table many times as a young girl having a Sunday family dinner. I would sit in a high chair that they took the tray off of and scooted me up to the table. Even though I was too big for it, it was my chair until Penny came along. My Grandma's Pink and Black kitchen will be forever etched in my mind. I wish I could take my own kids back with me to experience it themselves. I wonder what old things of mine will still be in use by my grandchildren when I am long gone?

Gussy, Rest in Peace - April 2001 - May 2010

Even as I post this after several weeks have gone by, my heart aches. Unless you are a "dog" person, you wouldn't get it. The other real problem here is that I am not a writer. I know that there are many people out there that would be able to take my words and my feelings and express them in a humorous way or put an eloquent spin on them, but in my simple way let me say "He was the Best Dog Ever!".

He came to our house because of my sadness over losing Mickey. Even though it sounds odd, after we had to put him down at age 14, I missed having him sit in front of the bathroom door to wait patiently as I "finished my business there". It would really annoy me sometimes, but when they are gone, you really miss them underfoot.

For at least a week I mourned Mickey and then I found myself everyday at the pet store looking in all the little stalls hoping that there was a puppy that would steal my heart. Not only that, but I had to get it to steal Steve's heart too and that was gonna be tough! One day while I was gazing through the glass windows at a litter of Schnauzers, Steve surprised me and showed up by my side. I fell in love with the little girl and he fell in love with the little boy and we bought them both. They were $400 each and Steve managed to get them to take off $50 for buying both of them.

Gus and Daisy. Gus was the feisty, proud one and Daisy the little mother, always fussing over Gus and grooming his eyes and putting up with him dragging her around by the collar. Then 2 years later my Mom moved into the basement for a short stay and they fell in love with her. In the end, Mom took Daisy home to be the most pampered pooch you have ever met. Gus stayed here to keep tabs on my two teenage boys.

The boys taught Gus some very naughty habits and when he would start growling during rough play, anyone within earshot that didn't know Gus would think he was going to rip their heads off. Boy did he sound mean. But he was loyal and put up with a lot of teasing and loved him with all their hearts. The girls loved him too, but it wasn't the same. Of course, I was his favorite and he knew in the end who to run to.

Then Alesha and Stephen and Tripp moved into the basement apartment. Again, Gus attached himself to Tripp and when they left, he went with them. He was five years old. He went everywhere with them, including to my house when they visited.

During their last visit, on Mother's Day, we had to have him put to sleep to relieve him of the intense pain. But in the end, we have to keep in mind that in all likelihood, we will outlive our beloved pets.

It's a new day for Tripp and his family. My guess is that it won't be long before he has a new little puppy to train right along with raising a new brother.

The Cat in the Hat

Last year Mom and I were able to go to Florida to see Ashley perform in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I am sorry to report that this year I won't be able to go and see her as the lead in The Cat in the Hat. It makes me sad that I can't be there. Ashley modeled her costume for us and gave us a little sneak preview of one of the songs.

Logan and Ashley also shared with us their speeches on "If I were President". Let me just say that they have very different opinions of how they would perform those duties. It was very entertaining.

Daytona International Speedway

On the last day in Daytona Beach we went to the Speedway. We got into a simulator to have a race and Steve took second place. I of course came in 18th. How embarrassing. We had a great time with the Haskins, Fieldings, and Whitworths.

After that we went to the beach to find Sarah and say good-by. We ate with some of the parents at Bubba Gumps and left for Penny's.

When we got there we went to a movie, The Last Song, and enjoyed our last evening in Florida. I sure will miss the Keoppels. They always show us a good time.

Cougarettes win National Title in Daytona Beach

Words simply can't express the feelings I have had this last weekend as we watched Sarah dance with the Cougarettes at the National Collegiate Dance Championships. We have been to a lot of competitions during Sarah's life but nothing could have prepared me for the energy and excitement as over 50 parents and family formed a cheering section and watched the girls give it everything they had. They have worked so hard and it all paid off.

We left for Florida on April 5th. We landed in Orlando and rented a car and drove to Penny and Kent's for a few days. I miss Penny so much and it is always so fun to visit. I wish they lived closer. Her kids are so cute with us and seem to love having us there. Penny cooked us dinner and then we relaxed. The next day Penny and I went shopping and Steve and Kent went golfing. I had a blast. I wish Mom and my girls could have been there with us. We went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner. Penny and Kent are on a diet and they gave us incentive to do better now that we are home.

The next day we drove to Daytona Beach. We checked into the hotel and then drove to the beach to check out where the competition was going to be the next day. When we got up the next morning we headed to the Peabody Auditorium for the preliminary competition. The girls did a great job and we figured that it was between us and Louisville. When the scores came in we were all disappointed to find that we came in second by a half a point. That just meant that we were placed second to last for Finals the next day but the scores were wiped clean and did not accumulate.

We met the other parents and Cougarettes that night for dinner at Olive Garden. We sat by Heidi Juergen's parents from Texas. What great people! The service was quite bad and I never did get my meal. They gave everyone at my table a free meal.

Penny and I had put together little candy bags for the girls that we handed out. I really think they all appreciated it so much.

The nerves were quite tight as we sat the next day at the Ocean Center for the Finals. I have never been so nervous. Everyone was wound up. As the girls came out on the stage, my body felt numb. The dance started and the energy was amazing. I just knew they came to win. It was so exciting and other people in the seats next to us kept telling how much they loved it. In the end we took the Choreography award and won the competition buy three hundredths of a point.

That night we celebrated at The Outback with all the team and fans. The assistant Athletic Director was there and told the girls they would be welcomed back by the administration and Athletic Dept.

I will never forget the experience and the total out of body experience as I screamed for Sarah and the total relief as she did the final lift to complete a near perfect routine.

Easter 2010

This year the kids had to do separate Easter egg hunts. Steve and I were in Boise to welcome the new little Russo into the world and so we painted eggs and hunted Dinosaur eggs. As we found the eggs Tripp would open them up and tell me what kind of Dinosaur was in them. He knows all the technical names and it is scary how much smarter he is than me.

McKailey came on Easter Sunday and Sarah hid her eggs and Dave and I went with her to find them. It was quite short as well, but oh well, it is a memory right? I particularly like the pink boots she is wearing. I wish it had been warmer for both the Easter Egg Hunts but we managed just fine.

General Conference was on Easter Sunday this year. We had Judy and Shan and their kids here visiting while we watched the sessions. It was so inspiring. I can't wait to get the new Ensign and start studying the talks. Next year we hope to have all three of our Grandchildren in the back yard together hunting lots and lots of eggs.

Pax Gennaro Russo

On March 23, 2010, Pax Gennaro Russo made it into the world. He did a great job too. Alesha was induced at 7:00 am and he was born a little after noon. He was 7lb 15oz and 20 inches long. Not bad for a mom with Gestational Diebetes. Alesha did a great job taking care of herself and the baby for that long 9 months.

Steve and I had tickets to fly to Boise on March 25th and on Monday decided to check the time of the flight and noticed that the tickets were for March 24th. It all worked out well though because Steve was flying in from a business trip in Vegas at 4:00 pm and our flight left at 8:00 pm. Whew it worked out with no room to spare. We were lucky.

It has been so fun being here with Tripp and his new little brother. We took him to preschool Thursday morning and went to the hospital to see Alesha and baby. Unfortunately, we arrived just in time for the circumcision. YUCK! Poor baby boy. Then we picked Tripp up from school and headed to Winco. I love that place by the way. I am really excited one is opening up in Orem. I pass it on my way home from work so it will be quite convenient. When we got home, we were putting groceries away when the new baby arrived home. Tripp was so excited! He has been really cute with him.

All day yesterday afternoon and evening we helped baby, changed baby, played with baby etc etc etc. He is so cute. And boy does he love to eat. We feel so blessed to have him here safe and sound. It is just another miracle in our lives that allows us to see the hand of the Lord and feel his love for us.

I have such a beautiful, lovely family. Each one is so unique and special to me. I love you all and wish you could all be here with us enjoying this new little life. I don't express it enough, but I want you all to know that I am so grateful for the Savior and his Gospel. I don't know where I would be without it. Thank you all for your Love and your spirits.

McKailey and Tripp

These two kids are the light of my life. It is so fun to have them so close in age. They get along so well and entertain one another for hours. For Christmas I made them blankets and we took them to build-a-bear to make their stuffed animal for Christmas Eve. I figured it would be better to let them have my present before the craziness of Christmas morning. It was a smart decision!