The Cougars are in Town

The Brigham Young University Cougar football team is in town, and that can only mean TWO thing..... ONE.....their biggest fans are right here with them, and  TWO.....our family could not be more thrilled!!  Having sooo many family members come visit our hometown for the bowl game was as exciting as it comes (and definitely more exciting than the game itself!).  So with three rows of seats at the stadium filled with just our family alone, we were ready to cheer on the cougars!



  



 

 

 

Even though the Cougars played terrible and lost the bowl game, the fun with our family definitely was far from being lost.  A special BYU fireside at the Oakland temple conference center featuring the BYU football players and coaches, a visit to the city, an afternoon at the boy's favorite outing "Rock N Jump" for the boys, manicures and pedicures for the girls, a backyard BBQ which included a dip in the pool, combined with basket ball games with the cousins summed up the FUN we had thanks to the BYU cougars coming to San Francisco and bringing FAMILY!

 

A few of our Copeland boy cousins from oldest to youngest.....a lot of great future missionaries!



 

 

 

 

One of my favorite pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Copeland who are ALWAYS up for FUN and Adventure!!



 

Non-stop gaming with the cousins was the BEST!

 

Thanks Dad for heating the pool and hot tub for our special occasion with our family.  It was definitely a fabulous evening.

 

 

 

With all this FUN, needless to say we were sooo sad to see our family have to leave for their homes.  However, we were ecstatic to still have grandma and grandpa for a few more days!  The party still could go on, and it definitely did.  Preston's cousins were no longer available to play him on the court, BUT..... his Grandpa was!  Although Grandpa is still a tough competitor, Preston was relentless for allowing time outs or short games, and Grandpa was the greatest sport to oblige to Preston's rules......

 



 

 

Preston absolutely LOVES playing basketball with his Papa, and his Papa and Grandma definitely know he LOVES the game.  Inside or outside, Preston plays year round.  Thanks to Papa and Grandma's perfect Christmas gift this year, he will continue to practice his favorite sport, and always be ready to take Papa on in a game.

 



And while Preston is always ready to take his Papa on in basketball, Bracken and Parker are always ready to take on their Papa and Grandma in a good game of cards.... just don't ask about the rules of ROOK.....the only place our opinions differ!  :)

 





 

Obviously these grandparents really know how to have a good time with their grandkids, and how lucky we were to celebrate the New Year with them.  A delicious dinner at one of our most favorite local Chinese restaurants followed by more card games happily brought in the year 2014!

 



 

Bracken's fortune could not be more accurate for his upcoming mission to Australia.  We sure are PROUD of this boy, and know he will be successful in the goals he has made. 

Preston's fortune came true as well, in fact, he hit the jackpot!!  Papa has his own signature "secret drink recipe" that every member of the family definitely wants to get their hands on.  One sip, and Preston knew he had to have that recipe too!  Fortunately for Preston, he was able to talk Papa into getting the secret recipe on paper.  It is now a treasured possession that every Copeland member covets.  The trick now is to remember all of the FIFTEEN steps each time he goes to get a drink at the gas station!!  The last time he and Tyson tried to make the drink by memory Tyson asked......"Preston, do you remember Papa's secret drink recipe?, and Preston answered, "No, but it has a lot of APPROXIMATELY'S IN IT."  Thank heavens for the original tucked away safely in Preston's bedroom.



 



We were so sad to see Papa and Grandma have to go back home.  We feel so grateful to have grandparents and family that love and support us.  We LOVE when we get to spend time with them.  COME BACK SOON FAMILY!  WE LOVE YOU!!