August Part 8: Ben and Tucker in Town

(Brian is writing this post. Congradolences to all.)

So in the eight part of August, Devri and I decided to go on a date, which we often do. This time, however, we decided to turn it into an impromptu couples photo session after dinner in Gardiner Village.

Here's us from 4 different angles.

Awww, aren't we so cute??

I actually really love Devri in this jumper. I think she is highly attractive, to put it mildly.

You should see what we had to do to get this shot. I was a little scared the phone would fall into the little creek below us.

Thankfully, it survived. As did we. As did us? We survived too.

In all seriousness, we really enjoy going on dates with each other. We started out by taking walks in the cold Provo air because we "were safe", and look where we've ended up? I just love this woman.

In reality, we were actually killing time before we picked up my brother Ben and his son Tucker who were flying into town for the BYU football game. Ben bought season tickets, even though he lives in Texas, just for the BYU v Utah game, so we unashamedly benefitted greatly from his decision this year.

We have a ninja warrior park near our house that we knew about but had never been, so naturally Ben (who competed on American Ninja Warrior) and Tucker who is also amazing at all of it had to try it out. Gabe ended up joining in and Ben pushed them on this swing they have.

And now I'm realizing after looking at these pictures more that there is absolutely zero pictures of the actual ANW course. Nailed it.

Later that day we went to the BYU game at Lavell Edward's Stadium. Our seats were in the endzone right above the band. I think the only disappointment was that we couldn't hear the band better from where we were. But still, it was incredible and we had an amazing time!

Meanwhile, Devri and Rachel decided to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that everyone has an opportunity to hear about and accept Christ even after this life. Since we also believe baptism is required, the Lord provided a way for those people who died without ever hearing the Gospel to be baptized as well with those who are alive being baptized as proxies for those who are dead.

Before and after pics. Looks like Devri also got baptized this time as well. Michael is completely unaccounted for during this time. Probably off doing weird stuff like puberty.

While at the game, I happened to see an old friend of mine, Becca, from the BYU Cougar Marching Band(tm) walking by. I grabbed her and had to take a picture really quick.

She told me that her brother Spencer (another horn with me in the french horn section) was also there. Turns out another guy from the band was also there (I believe he was a trumpet, but for the life of me I can't remember his name!! Arg!), so we had a little marching band reunion!

Ben and Tucker with fun cameos by a cougar tail and yours truly.

Gabe started chatting up the older gentlemen next to us at the game and introduced himself and everyone else I'm sure. It's funny because he says he hates sitting next to strangers, but I don't think he ever met a stranger (just like his Grandpa).

Gabe and Tucker showing off their spirit and sports paraphenelia.

The whole crew. This game was against Portland State and we were pretty sure BYU was going to win, but it was a BLOWOUT: 69 to nothing. Almost painful near the end but so fun to be in the stadium for the first game of the year and to do so well.

Alas, with every high there is a low. The day Ben and Tucker left, I made pancakes for everyone, but unfortunately I forgot to turn off the griddle before we all headed to church. Doubly unfortunately, our quartz countertops really don't like that much heat. When we got home the griddle was so hot I was worried it was about to melt, and when I moved it there was a gigantic crack in our beautiful countertop. It was probably about half an inch wide at the end!

Thankfully, quartz does recover if you take off the heat, at least somewhat. This is a picture about 4 hours after the incident, so it doesn't look that bad.

And this is the next day, you practically can't even see it anymore. Originally we were going to try to patch it, but I honestly just keep forgetting about it because it's so small now. Phew!

After Church, on the way to take Ben and Tucker to the airport, we met up with Mom and Dad on their way back from the Music and the Spoken Word performance where they serve every Sunday as missionaries (they manage the Orchestra at Temple Square).

I promise Mom was also here. She just didn't make it into any pictures somehow.

Papa with 3/18 of his grandchildren.

We loved having Ben in town. It was a short trip but so much fun and we just had a blast with him and Tucker! Thanks Ben for visiting and for the tickets!!