In Memory of Jay Rudd

Today we attended the funeral for our dear friend Jay Rudd.  It was at his church called "The Fellowship".  There were many stories of Jay shared from those who knew him well.  Kyle was asked to share some things from his relationship with Jay over the years, and I thought Kyle did a very good job showing the spirit that Jay brought to the Utah Football team just by being there.  Jay loved to be a part of the team, he would take film home and watch it over and over and look for things he could point out to the team in his weekly pep talks on Thursdays before the game.  Kyle said Jay was never late and never missed a practice in 9 years.  We will miss his presence around the office, practice, and game day!

Jay and Kyle

Utah Football Scrimmage

I went to the Utah Football Scrimmage that was tonight from 5-7 pm.  The weather was nice and I had a nice time.  There was a small crowd there and it was Junior Day, so there was a large group of boys who will be seniors from the local high schools who were in attendance.  There was a dinner at the stadium after the scrimmage was over.  A lot of the boys had their parents there with them also.

I can't imagine having all these people in my face every day.  This is not even during the regular season.

Wheelchair Basketball

Kyle was asked to participate in this annual wheelchair basketball game where local "celebrities" play against some young men who really do live their lives in their wheelchairs and play basketball.  They are actually very good, better than the celebrities.  It is difficult to dribble and shoot from a sitting position let alone while trying to wheel your chair around either down to the basket or in position to shoot.  So I went to watch with Helen.  It was at Jordan High School and was a fund raiser for these young men.

Of course the local media was there interviewing players

The "Celebrities" are in the light gray.  Kyle trying to dribble and wheel.  Not easy at all.

Utah Boys of Fall

Utah Seniors Season Highlights 2010 


Last night was the annual Senior Dinner for the Utah Football Players.  They had a nice dinner and watched highlights of each senior.  Luther Ellis spoke to us then anyone who wanted to get up and say something could.  It started with Shaky Smithson since he was already on the stand for getting an award for most yards on kickoff returns in the country.  Almost every senior got up and said something; they are all quite shy, different than most would expect.  All of the players spoke about their love for Utah and the profound positive impact it had in their lives.  They also expressed their love for each other and how they would always be there for one another and have each others backs.  During the Highlight video they played the song "Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney.  Seeing the players and listening to this song during their individual highlights was touching to me.  Players move on every year, after they have been here and we get to know them, it is always emotional to see them leave.

                  

A Wedding in the Family!

The most important news of the month for us is Melissa getting engaged to be married to Dawson Kent.  They officially became engaged on March 23 in San Francisco where they were vacationing with Dawson's family.  She called me shortly after it happened and was soooo happy!  So I am very excited for them.  They are getting married July 21 of this year.

Melissa and Dawson by Golden Gate where he proposed.

Skiing at Snowbird - Adaptive Sports

Today we went skiing at Snowbird where Kyle skied in some races with these amazing people in the Steve Young Classic that raises money for Adaptive Sports.  There are some incredible people; young and old, who with the help of this Adaptive Sports are able to go up there and ski even if they are blind or missing a limb, or paralyzed, among other things.  There are many different things that make it so these people would not be up there skiing without the help of Adaptive Sports.  So it is a really good feeling to see them be able to ski and then at the dinner that evening they have an auction where they raise money for the various things they need to help them ski.
It was a cold windy day on the slopes this year.  Kylie, Tyler and Kali came with Kyle and I.  It is always a good experience to help others.

Kyle and Kylie

Kylie and Kyle

So Cold

Alex's 19th Birthday Wordless Wednesday

 

Kylie's is now 13, Wordless Wednesday

 

October 2009