LEST WE FORGET AND BECOME COMPLACENT. . .

BYU PREVAILS 28-27 (WHEW!) OVER HUSKIES

In a game that was eerily reminiscent of last season's last second, blocked-kick victory over UCLA, Jan Jorgensen blocked a UW extra point attempt with two seconds remaining which allowed the Cougars to slip out of Seattle with a victory. Next up is a greatly improved UCLA Bruins team that will seek revenge against the Cougs in Provo on Saturday. Rise and shout baby!

ISLAND PARK, YELLOWSTONE, THE TETONS AND JENNY LAKE

One of the best places on earth to find yourself in the middle of the summer or early fall (or anytime really), is Island Park, Idaho and the West Yellowstone - Grand Teton - Jackson Hole area(s). I put together this brief slideshow of some recent photos from Mesa Falls, Henry's Lake, Yellowstone, the Tetons, Jenny and Jackson Lakes. A unique aspect of these pictures is that only very few of them include people. . with one very notable exception. In one of the photos of Lower Mesa Falls, if you look closely you will notice a kayaker just about to go over the twenty-foot drop at the base. Outside of this single exception I think that when drawing from and utilizing the beauty and majesty of its palette, nature realizes that it is not always enhanced with the addition of people to its canvas. Though these photos don't begin to do justice to the region, those of you who have been there know what I'm talking about. You also know what a special place it truly is.

THE END OF SUMMER IN LEHI, UTAH

With apologies to Kim and Tyler, I copied some photos of the grandkids from their blog and included them in ours. It seems like not so long ago, we were bundling up baby Andrew and taking him to church when we visited in North Carolina. Wasn't it just yesterday that Lynne was feeding the horses with Nick and Lily and we were all having a blast at Jungle Jim's? Amazing. PLease click on Ty and Kim's blog for more great pictures and info from Kim about the kids. From the top: Andrew's new togs, courtesy Lily; Lily on her bike (pre-accident); Nick shaving before Church; Lily after her visit to the ER; Nick's first day of school. Handsome.

A HUTCHENS HELLO FROM MESA, ARIZONA

I received a very pleasant surprise a few days ago in the form of an email from my Uncle Adrian (thanks cousin Kay). I have not seen or heard from him (nor he from me) since sometime in the late summer or fall of 1980. It was great. I emailed him in return, which subsequently led to a wonderful phone conversation that lasted about an hour. He and Aunt Jan are living in Mesa, Arizona. Their daughter - my cousin Karleen - and her daughters live in the Yuma area. Karleen's oldest, Jeremy (Jay), lives in Tempe or Phoenix.

Adrian has experienced some severe health problems in recent years that have curtailed his assignments abroad and therefore, his and Jans world-wide travels. After spending years in places like Egypt, Iran, Romania, Jordan and Central Asia (Kazakstan, Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) he now enjoys relaxing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as fishing, recreating in and helping the Forest Service to maintain the Saguaro Lake recreation/camping area(s).

The above pictures are of (top) Adrian and Jan at Saguaro Lake; (middle) Jan, Karleen and Mark (Karleen's hubby); (bottom) Jan's surprise 70th birthday party with - Karleen in the burgundy blouse on the center of couch, flanked by her daughters on either side, Jay and Jan on the left with Jan's sister Sandy and her daughter Erin is on the right end.

RISE AND SHOUT, THE COUGARS ARE OUT!

Finally. The universe is on an even keel and once again things are in their proper order in the eternal scheme of things. After months of waiting and untold hours of hand-wringing, wet-palmed, breathless anticipation. . . . BYU football is back! Yeah, baby! This is my favorite time of year. College football season. The 'Y' began this season's quest for the BCS with a somewhat less than spectacular win over a gritty and determined Northern Iowa team. Next up is a traditionally tough PAC-10 foe, the University of Washington in Seattle. I have added a BYU football widget at the bottom of the blog that will recap the most recent game and includes links to other stats, stories, etc. Check it out after each game.

Also, oh yeah, by the way and just for your information. . .UK and UofL opened their respective seasons by squaring off against each other at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville yesterday. The Cardinals were summarily pummeled, thrashed and humiliated on their home turf by the vastly superior Wildcats. Cards couldn't even score an offensive point. Game wasn't even close. No doubt from the opening kick-off. Woeful and pitiful performance by the Carinals. Pathetic, inept, inane and just plain BAD. The Alamo was tame and competitive by comparison. Jeez! Is Lynne gonna be hard to live with now. . . espically since her personalized WLDCAT licensce plate has arrived.

KAYDEN'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL