The Boys Of Fall......

Homecoming Game - 2010

The Boys Of Fall

(Kenny Chesney)

"When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass,
I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads,
Standing in the huddle listening to the call,
Fans go crazy, for the Boys of Fall..."



“They didn't let just anybody in that club,
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood,
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall,
Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall.”



“Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes
It's fighting back them butterflies,
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball,”



“And it's knocking heads and talking trash,
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass,
It's I got your number,
I got your back when your back's against the wall,
You mess with one man you got us all,
The boys of fall,”



“In little towns like mine that's all they got,
Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops,
The old men will always think they know it all,
Young girls will dream about the boys of fall.”

“Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes
It's fighting back them butterflies,
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball,”



“And it's knocking heads and talking trash,
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass,
It's I got your number,
I got your back when your back's against the wall,
You mess with one man you got us all,
The boys of fall,”

The Boys of Fall......

Saying Goodbye......

(cousins saying good-bye)

Last night we said good-bye to Cousin Ben...who left early this morning for the

Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

Argentina will be is final destination in a few weeks, and for two years he

will offer himself in service. He will learn to love people he doesn't even know, eat food

he has never tasted, and walk the streets of cities he has never even heard of. He is

willing to do all of this because he believes in something greater than himself.

His family has the courage to let him go becasue, they too beleive that the Lord will do more

with their boy in 2 years, than they have done with him in the last 18 years.

As a family, we have taken every opportunity possible to celebrate this great moment with

Cousin Ben. Serving a mission is a great and important thing!

Last night we all gathered to share in the special moment of a young man

becoming a missionary. Advice, love, testimony as well as many tears were shared.

Final hugs and good-byes for family, cousins and friends who have had cousin Ben around

for all of their lives. I loved the words of Uncle Dan, as he pointed out the Uncles who have gone before Cousin Ben as missionaries....and the young cousins to come....and Cousin Ben

the bridge between them both...like and hour glass. We ended the evening with a tasty

Apple Cake....thank goodness for yummy cake to comfort in difficult moments!

We love our Cousin Ben....he will be a great missionary!

Scences From A Small Town Pep Rally....

The Senior Class.....


Lobo Varsity Football.....


Lobo JV Football.....


Team members and dear friends...

The Farmer....and His Boy....


Lobo Beauties.....

Now....that makes a Mom happy!


Favorite teacher...and....Mom away from home....;)

Ready to play....his final home game at the JSA.....

in the shadows of the Col. Juarez Temple.

Too Many "Lasts" These Days.....

We celebrated The Boy's "last" Homecoming on Friday.

Too many "lasts" these days.

Our small town streets were lined with cars....

Waiting for the Homecoming parade to begin. Family....Friends...Community members...

everyone was there. Some young kids even got to miss school!

Those same young kids were anxiously awaiting the candy that would be thrown from the floats!

Friday was a cool Fall morning...the change of seasons is begining....

In more ways than one;)

The Boy....with other members of the Rodeo Team, led the parade.




The Director of the JSA and his wife followed close behind.

(Bro. and Sis. Cluff)


The beautiful Lobo Cheerleaders came next.....


The Senior float was great!

They actually won the competition between the classes.

The week leading up to the Homecoming game was full of activities....Spirit Week!

Everyday something special happened. Many activities were full of tradition.

The Seniors burned the "J" on the side of the mountain, there was movie night....

a talent show, and many many hours of working on class floats.

Once the parade completed the route through town, the floats were parked on the football field.

Aunt Trisha told me about watching the Seniors as their float was being parked,

they grouped together and gave their class yell, all the while holding tight to each other,

when the yell was done....they continued to cling together not wanting the moment to end.

They really are a special group!

They have been together since grade school.... they really do love each other.

Seasons are changing at the JSA....

Viva Mexico!!!

Cheetos......

(this is the size of a 50lb. bag of rice...)

Who knew that you could buy them in this quantity....

It may have something to do with where I live....

Viva Mexico!!

I Spent The Day Crying......

She is 16. Our PreShie Girl is 16.

It happened yesterday.....and thus began my day of tears.

Actually, the tears began Sunday. Our family has begun the "farwell" stage of sending our oldest...boy....cousin on a mission. His "farwell" was Sunday at church. We have all known that this day would come...I mean we have had 18 years of planning...but it just got real on Sunday. The younger cousins sang in church....Called to Serve and Army of Heleman, and I led

them as they sang. I did pretty well until the second song started and just looking at all of them,

the boys...looking like missionaries in their white shirts, ties and suits....and the darling girls,

who are just beautiful and sweet....just looking at them all standing together ....brought

on the tears. These kids are more like siblings than they are like cousins. The spend nearly

every waking moment together. Sometimes they fight like siblings....but they are quick to

forgive...and if you mess with one...you mess with them all...no matter the age!

So back to the tears.....Monday morning we awoke to Preshie's 16th birthday....

We enjoyed her birthday breakfast together....we sang Happy Birthday real loud.....

opened a few presents....and sent her off for the day.

I guess it is in the quiet moments that I actually have the chance to think....

I sat down at the computer to begin my day....checking emails.....and I remembered that I had

wanted to check out a video that I had heard about...."The Boys Of Fall" by Kenny Chesney.

I found it....and watched it....and burst into tears......and stayed that way for most of the day.

In the midst of this...we will call it...."small breakdown"......I talked to a dear sister-in-law,

who is the Mom of the missionary....and she too had spent the morning in tears....so

we cried together....talking about how very blessed we are to have such great kids and a family

who is so supportative. And how time just passes tooooo fast.

We talked about what a great time of life this is for us.....busy.....but the kind of busy that we are really going to miss when The Darlings are gone. We talked about how great it is to have all of

our children under our roof......under our influence (hopefully).....and just together.

I am not ready to let go! And PreShie turning 16 didn't help things out either!

After a morning of tears and cooking.....

I met The Darlings.....The Cousins....and a group of friends for lunch.

It is always so much fun to be with the kids....they enjoyed Sweet and Sour Meatballs....

Salad....Garlic Toast....Green Beans....and PreShie's favorite...

Pastel de Tres Leches.

The Boy watched "The Boys of Fall"......and was visibly touched......(mission accomplished!)

Everyone ate until it was all gone.....and lots of hugs and birthday wishes were shared.

It really is one of my favorite times....lunch with the kids.

When I arrived back home.....sitting on the the counter was this beautiful flower arrangement.

And....just for a moment....I thought they might be for me;)....but Noooooooooooo......

The card was addressed to PreShie......can we just say she was thrilled when she arrived home.

A "friend" of hers sent the lovely bouquet.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner together as a family....set with china and candles....

all to celebrate our PreShie! She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out!

We are so thrilled to call her Daughter!

**the best gift of the day was from The Rooster....he had purchased...with his own money....

an oversized bag of candy....put it in a gift bag...and wrote her a card.

Happy Birthday PreShie.....We love you!!!

Defeated.....

I don't have much to say about this game.....it was last Friday and it was in Marfa, Tx.

Defeated.....

Boys who played their hearts out....

but still.....

Defeated......

We are so proud of The Boy....he had a very good game.

There was much disappointment....but many lessons learned.

I love the spirit of these Young Lobos!.....They are not quitters!!

Found walking along a very lonely highway....a few of the Young Lobos.....

I had to turn around and go back for this one.....

We ate at the most darling little cafe, open only because of the "Art Weekend" that

was happening in Marfa. We visited several lovely art galleries.....

We really like that kind of stuff!

I am still mourning that I did not bring this guy home with us.....

He was darn cute!

Here's to next week Lobos!

Buttercream.....It's A Love...Hate Relationship....

Terribly wrong....But oh....so right......

Best Ever Buttercream Frosting

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. shortening

2 t. vanilla

1 c. heavy cream

8 c. powdered sugar

Whip butter and shortening until light and fluffy...

*I put it in my Kitchen Aid and let it go for 10 minutes.

Add vanilla,

Add powdered sugar, on cup at a time.

*It will get stiff toward the end....

Add the cream, and continue to whip for 10 minutes.

*for chocolate buttercream.....add 3/4 c. of cocoa with the last cup of sugar.

you may need to add a couple of Tablespoons of cream, if you find it too stiff.

I have tried many buttercream recipes....this one is by far the best I have ever used.

It not only tastes incredible....it is really great to work with. It is fantastic

for decorating cupcakes....cakes...cookies...whatever you need decorated!

It holds it shape perfectly...and I am sure I mentioned that it tastes very good!!!

(I am even thinking it would work for truffles....it melts in your mouth!)

100 Cupakes Later.....

After making 100 cupcakes....and coming across the most wonderful Buttercream Frosting recipe....EVER.....The Farmer and I were off to "Lunch With The Lobos!"

Every Thrusday.....the day before the football game.....the day is full of exciting activities begining with a pep rally lovingly prepared by the cheerleaders! We will call them the Lobo Beauties! This particular day, The Farmer and I waited outside of the school gym for the Young Lobos to join us for lunch. We may as well have been inside the gym....the noise was impressive! Chanting....yelling....screaming....stomping...well, you get the idea. Turns out, the classes were having a competition to see who had the most spirit. It became a totally wild match between the Juniors and the Seniors.....every other student in the school chose a side to defend.

Who won ????

Depends on who you ask!

The parents....and sometimes a coach.....will take turns feeding the Young Lobos each Thursday.

This particular Thursday....The Farmer contracted a local favorite....Doggo's.... to come

and prepare the lunch. The Young Lobos arrived....dressed in their white shirts and ties....

looking like an army of missionaries. The line was formed at the Hot Dog wagon.....

The Young Lobos were first of course...that was until the cheerleaders arrived, and it was if the Red Sea had parted. The Lobo Beauties headed to the front of the line without hesitation!

Most of those Young Lobos have some impressive manners....they have been taught well!

The Lobo Beauties....at the head of the Doggo line!

The Young Lobos...(and a coach)...ate and ate and ate.......some more than 4 Doggos....

along with drinks and a few cupcakes...

They do have great appetites!


This Lobo Beauty loved having her Dad around for lunch....Oh how she loves her Dad.

The Rooster....who is a JV Lobo...enjoyed himself a few Doggo's too!

The world famous.....Doggo!

It was a fun afternoon for us....the parents....to be with The Darlings and their friends.

Those Young Lobos are a wonderful group of young men. We love them like our own sons.

It has been a complete joy watching them grow into the fine young men that they are.

Many of those Young Lobos will be full time missionaries within the next 6 months,

in The Boy's Senior class there are 23 potential missionaries....I think that is pretty impressive!

We are proud of the Young Lobos!!!

Do You Know Anyone Who Has Spurred Himself ?????

We are home from our trip. It was a good one!

The city was beautiful....The food was fantastic....We did a little business...

And we had a lot of fun!

The Darlings were completely in tack when we returned....actually most likely in better

shape than when we left...afterall the Grandparents S. were in charge for the week.

We returned in time for The Boy's game on Friday in Anamis, NM.

They did not win....but The Boy had an exceptional game!

We enjoyed the weekend....at home...watching the LDS Conference. The Darlings each had a little paper to take notes...they were prepared to recieve the extra credit at school, that they were promised, if they watched each session. Oh how I love a church school!!!

Conference was fantastic....and it was just great to be home together!

So, last night The Boy brought me a pair of his pants.....brand new...and noticeably ripped.

Boy: "hey mom, can you fix these pants??"

Mom: "are these the new ones??"

Boy: "Yep"

Mom: "Explain please..."

Boy: "I spurred myself and it ripped my pants."

Mom: "wait...spurred yourself??? How does someone do that??"

And then he showed me the back of his thigh. And yes...a clear spur mark that ran about

6-8 inches down his leg. And I am thinking...how exactly does that happen?

Boy: "The Muneca....(he changed his horses name....it means doll) was bucking and so I got

worried and tried to throw myslef off of her, only my foot was caught in the stirrup.

I got loose and spurred myself on the way down."

Mom: "if The Muneca was acting up...shouldn't you have suprred her??"

and by this time I am laughing so hard, I had to sit down....

And now .......you and I both know the only person who has successfuly spurred

himself instead of the animal he was riding....

You are welcome for the introduction!!

I have a birthday party to plan....#16....

Any ideas????

If it were up to her....well....we would be renting some sort of location

to have the party....and if it is up to me....it will be held in our yard.

I am not sure we are ready for her to be 16 years old!


During conference yesterday one of the speakers shared a story about a cow that constantly

stretched her neck through the fence....that was protecting her....in order to eat the wheat

that was growing on the otherside of the fence

. Eventually she broke through the fence....ate too much...bloated and died.

The speaker then said...

"the grass is not always greener on the otherside." And then The Boy...in all of his wisdom said...

"that is not true!!.....the grass is always greener on the otherside of the fence."

"it is greener because all of the other cows haven't gotten to it yet and it is actually great grass!"

He got the point of the talk...he just figured that the speaker didn't have the perspective

of the cow.....and he did.

A good laugh...but The Farmer couldn't understand why it was a joke...