BYU Homecoming 2016

Our new tradition of attending BYU Homecoming over Fall Break has cemented itself as one of my kids' most favorite weekends to look forward to. They all ask about it weeks and weeks in advance-- and even Leah gets excited about going to "EYU" (BYU). We left late Thursday night. I picked Jon up in Castle Rock (he was working until 8 p.m.) and we figured we'd drive until we hit Grand Junction, arriving around 1 a.m. The kids did really well-- they all fell asleep around 9 p.m. in the car, and then fell back asleep pretty quickly once we got to our hotel.

From Grand Junction it's only about 3 hours to Provo, so we stopped at Cubby's in Spanish Fork just in time for lunch. We'd heard so many good things about this new fast-casual chain that we wanted to try it for ourselves! Hopefully it makes its way to Colorado soon!

We always have to swing by our old house on 500 N. 800 E. And there she is! Still standing, but looking a bit worse for wear. Can you believe we paid $545/month in rent for this little one-room, 400 sq. foot, spider-infested, basement apartment, with no dishwasher or washer and dryer??? I guess that's why I love vacations-- a) it gets you out of your routine and refreshes your perspective, and b) when you head back to your "roots," it shows you just how far you've come.

First stop was the BYU Bookstore which is like heaven to my kids. We've really started the brainwashing early with them-- and they all want as much BYU merchandise as we can afford! Zach had saved up his money and bought a little tiny lego BYU football player, and it is his most prized possession.

Posing with Cosmo!

We had to get our newest little Cougar a BYU shirt to match her siblings. Loyal, strong, and true!

We had to get some Creamery chocolate milk and BYU mint brownies at the Cougareat inside the Wilkinson Center before meeting Taylor at the library.

I just love Y mountain. It's such a beautiful backdrop to campus. Here the kids are making a (backwards) BYU with their arms. Rise and shout!

Uncle Taylor was probably a little embarrassed he was clobbered by my kids as he exited the library, but they were just SO excited to see him! We hadn't seen him since we visited Washington this summer. I think he's a pretty handsome single guy.

Here we are reppin' the Y! It was so fun to be back in Provo, back on campus, and remembering our fun college days....

That night we met up with Whitney and her friend Aubrey for dinner at Gurus. The Homecoming game didn't even start until 8:15 p.m., so I knew there was no way I'd be going with the two littlest. They would have been a hot, tired, mess! We figured Jon could just scalp tickets for him and Lucy and Zach-- but after dinner even Zach was looking totally exhausted so I convinced him to come back to my Aunt Patty's house (where we were staying) and watch the game on TV with me. Jon and Lucy headed to the game, and the kids and I headed in for the night. I got this beautiful picture of the new Provo temple on the way home!

Jon had no problem finding last minute tickets, and they got great seats! How cute are they on their little football date?? I don't think Lucy really knows a thing about football, but she just loved the "game day" atmosphere and all the fun things that are going on during the breaks.

And look who they found! Whitney and Aubrey scalped tickets too, and they happened to be in the same section! The game was a nail biter, in true BYU fashion-- going into DOUBLE overtime, with the Cougs finally beating the Mississippi Bulldogs 21-28. They didn't get back home until almost 1:30 a.m. I was sure glad Zach stayed home with me and got to bed early!

The Homecoming parade was the next morning at 10 a.m., so everyone had to be up and at 'em and out the door by 9:30 a.m. There's Grandma Joanie and Grandpa Tom Tom marching with the Alumni float!

There was TONS of candy, lots of fun floats, and even a little Pikachu in the parade this year. The kids had a blast.

Everybody met back up on campus at the Bookstore again, since Zach wanted to get his "hipster" haircut down at the BYU Barbershop like last year. I love all these BYU traditions!

We met Taylor for lunch at the Brick Oven for pizza. I hadn't eaten there in years! It's definitely a BYU tradition through and through though. It's one of the first places I can ever remember going on a date to my freshman year of college.

Taylor got the unlimited pizza buffet and homemade root beer, and we're not sure how many pieces he actually ate. We lost count. In fact, he may still be sitting there, eating pizza, and filling up on root beer as we speak.

Grandma Joanie got tickets for Lucy and I to attend the Homecoming Spectacular which is always awesome entertainment! BYU sure knows how to put on a "spectacular" show, that's for sure. They feature all their dancing and singing groups as well as some special guests.

This year's special guest was THE Gladys Knight-- as well as Lexi Walker and Peter Holland (both LDS artists). She was FANTASTIC!! Her "Midnight Train to Georgia" was my favorite of the concert.

Gladys also did some "gospel" arrangements of "Love One Another" and "I Am A Child of God" which were really unique. All the groups joined her and Lexi for the finale.

Right after the concert we swung by "Swig," which is a (Utah famous) little drive thru with homemade cookies and soda. It's home of the original "Dirty Dr. Pepper" which is what I have here, wink, wink. 

We met back up with Jon and the kids, Whitney, and Taylor for dinner at J-Dawgs. Basically we just ate and ate all the BYU things all weekend long. Jon and I shared one, and then on our way back to Patty's we also got an order of chicken tikka masala from Bombay House for old times. 

These Provo leaves were representin'! The weather was gorgeous.

Taylor had a date that night, so we had to bid him and Whitney goodbye. As you can see, Zach was devastated. He was so sad to say goodbye again. He is Taylor's best and most loyal little minion, and wants to do everything just like him. We woke up early Sunday morning and hit the road for the 8 hour drive back to Colorado. The kids actually did amazingly well, all things considered, and even though we were just gone 3 nights, it was still great to be back home. School started back up yesterday, and we are all so thankful we had a safe, wonderful Fall Break!