Thursday, October 28, 2010

Smudge Pot

A few weekends back I got to be a part of one of Sean's greatest victories in high school football.  No matter where you went to school or what sport you played. There is always that one rivalry that basically defines your season.  In our hometown of Redlands that game is when Redlands High and Redlands East Valley meet on a friday night at the University of Redlands under the bright lights.  They play for the smudge pot.  A smudge pot is those funny looking contraptions placed in orange groves to keep the oranges from freezing. It is painted half red and half blue.  The winner keeps it at the school for the remainder of the school year.  It had been at REV since Sean's freshman year. There was no way we wanted it to leave in his senior season.
The Smudge Pot..

This year was no different then any other, tensions were running high and the city was completely divided. Its Blue or Red.  Back in my high school days I was Blue to the core being that I graduated from Redlands High, but these days I bleed Red.  Sean and Mikayla are both high schoolers at Redlands East Valley an now its all about the Wildcats!!

As the game went on it was not looking the best for the Wildcats. Redlands jumped out to an early lead, and we slowly fought our way back.  Sean who plays wide receiver as well as the holder had a few rough plays.
Sean running a route in the game..

As the holder Sean has one job, get the ball down!! Well that being if the ball is not snapped just ridiculously high.  Well call it nerves or whatever, an attempt early in the game by the Wildcats to get points on the board turned out not so good. The snap went sailing over Sean's head. Sean was able to recover the ball and end up at the bottom of the pile.

The game went back and forth. With time starting to run out Redlands looked as if they would get the smudge pot back on campus. The Wildcats made 2 minute drill look easy and were able to march right down the field. (This is when I think mom wanted to throw up, Grandpa just keep saying its not over till its over, Dad was yelling about plays, I was thinking got to get this all on film, and Brennan was probably thinking this family is NUTS) No matter it came down to 3 seconds on the clock, and they were down by 1. They were going for the field goal. I think many REV fans were starting to think back about that missed snap. I will admit it came to mind, and I was thinking this game is resting in my little
brothers hands. Literally!!!
Setting up for the play!!!

There was exactly 3 seconds left in the game. The ball was snapped, Sean got it down and it was good!!!!!! REV wins REV WINS!!!
Here is the amazing play!! 

With the game over and REV winning by only 2 with no time on the clock!!! It was great! The students rushed the field!! Mikayla managed to find that big brother Sean on the field!!
After the game I asked Sean if he was nervous, since a snap had already gotten by him. He said NO way
that was gonna happen!!! Always so calm cool and collected that brother of mine!!
CONGRATULATIONS SEAN!!!!
Senior Class of 2011: Smudge Pot!!
4 beat :)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Family Night, Aztec Swim, Rascal Flatts, and a date :)

What a weekend.... I am enjoying having the time to do things I want to do! And only having work commitments that I enjoy!

My weekend started out with a little drive to Redlands. It was Family Night for REV Football. I have not missed a family night since Sean made Varsity. This year would be no different, thanks to the carpool lane with Grandpa & Brooke traffic was no problem. It was a great time going on the field and taking pictures with Sean.  We then walked down the 50 yard lane between rows of  cheerleaders as the announcer introduced Sean and his family!
Sean and Me
My Best Friends
The parents with Sean

As the game went on Sean played great!! However the Wildcats suffered there first loss of the season.
Sean earning a PI
Sean as the holder

Saturday would turn out to be an interesting day.  It was our first dual meet of the season for the Aztecs. The meet ended with a huge win over Oregon State.  Brooke went an in season best time in the 200 fly and won the 100 fly.  The relay she was on broke the previous pool record. Brooke swam great!
The meet overall went great! As the coaches started to reflect on the meet we saw that the team had set multiple new pool records, had all time Aztec records, and one of my distance swimmers set the all-time Mountain West Conference record. They did all of this without any real rest. Its going to be an amazing season. GO AZTECS

After the meet we had a great lunch with the family at Woodstocks Pizza (sorry KK).  After lunch we hurried home.  Brennan and I had big plans for the night. We were going with Brooke and Nik to the Rascal Flatts Concert in Chula Vista! We had a great great time!! I had seen Rascal Flatts before at the same venue but they were better then I remember. They sang all of my favorite songs!
The crazy group 
Brennan & Me
I guess I missed the memo, but the boys are really enjoying the concert. Cant you tell?

Sunday was a day of much needed rest and time with Brennan. I did have a two hour practice with my new water polo team. Again work that I enjoy, cant get much better.  After I finished practice Brennan and I went swimming.  I enjoyed the little swim but boy had it been a while. Not sure how Brennan feels about swimming with me ; )  After our workout we were pretty hungry and decided that we should go out on a much needed lunch/ dinner date.  It was a great way to end our weekend.  Together for a nice meal. 

I had a great weekend. I got to spend time with my family and Brennan. It doesnt get any better!!
-Special thanks to my parents for friday night and coming saturday to the meet.
-Sean in letting us be a part of family night, keep making us proud!!
-Brooke & Nik for getting the tickets to Rascal Flatts.
-Brennan for driving to San Diego AGAIN!! I promise I will get to LA soon :)