The next generation Coug

Don't think for a minute I haven't started loosely planning Lily's first Moms Weekend at Wazzu in 2031. Crazy Auntie Kate and her mom, reliving the glory days and pointing out every nook and cranny of Pullman where memories were made. Gosh I hope she chooses WSU. 

Photos at Casa de Lagreid, prior to the Cougs' "home opener" in Seattle, Thursday, Aug. 28.

[God]father's Day 2013

I've had the privilege of accepting various honors over the years. You know, sports letters and trophies, academic awards, mentions in the newspaper...but none of these compared to how touched I felt when Emily and Greg asked if Taylor and I would be their daughter's godparents. 

We arrived at Casa Lagreid Friday evening and just like every other visit, we chowed and chatted...drank a few brews and sang a few tunes. Emily planned a pre-Baptismal party for friends and family in the area, and she let me take the reins in the food department. We whipped up quite a few hors d'oeuvres Saturday morning, and then we grazed all day long until said guests arrived. Our girl KVH came to the par-tay but had to take off before the big show because she just happened to be climbing Mt. Rainier the next day. NBD, right?

The Lagreids' church is literally right around the corner from their house, so we buzzed on over for the Saturday evening service. The congregation welcomed the newest member of the church, and we felt such pride and honor standing up on the altar with Em and Greg. Taylor and I gifted baby L with a book of prayers and a ceramic night light, similar to one I received at my baptism. 

It was fairly emotional for me, especially, as baptism is a sacrament, which means "to make sacred" or as the priest who married us described, "a sacred moment." The priest who preformed Lily's baptism gave a thought-provoking homily about the meaning of parents and godparents (since it happened to be Father's Day weekend), and he hammered home the point of raising up children right. Poignant and moving.

We are so blessed to have such flat-out amazing friends in Emily and Greg. It's an effortless and rewarding friendship, that just seems to keep getting better with time. I sometimes laugh out loud when I think about meeting Emily ten years ago...as my next-door neighbor in the dorms at Wazzu...and reminiscing about some of the situations we got ourselves into throughout our four years together in college. Two weddings and a baby later, it's like we never skipped a beat when we meet up. 

Thank you, Team Lagreid, for bestowing this amazing honor upon us. We promise to help be your baby's moral compass should either of you become "deadbeat Catholics" as your priest so lovingly described. We love you! XOXO 

Auntie Kate just had to snag these sandals for L. Might be a pinch too big.

Beer of the moment. 

It's good to see Taylor get in on the duet action.

Fat cats.

The star of the show.

Good thing that badminton set got assembled. 

Ten years of friendship.

Of course there is a story behind this one...

Greg really loved that brie en croute! 

Em, KVH, and Lily.

Emily's mom made Lily's baptismal gown out of leftover fabric from the wedding gown she made Emily. Precious.

Peonies from the farmer's market. So fun to get to walk around the market with Em and sort of live her typical Saturday (well, besides the whole baptism thing). We also really enjoyed a long run on the fantastic trail system just a stone's throw from their house. 

Placing the while stole on Lily's shoulders.

Uncle Taylor lighting the baptismal candle. 

The whole group. Special shout-out to the stranger in the pew behind us who graciously took the photos of the actual baptism. I sort of just threw the camera at her, and she took some great snaps.

Who invited the Beav?

Saturday marked the ninth year in which my family felt just a bit torn in cheering for the Beavers...the day the little varmints from Corvallis tried to (and rather successfully, I might add) bully my beloved "always the underdog" Cougs in Seattle at Century-Link Field.

Even though the Orange and Black blood runs rather deep in the Benz Bunch, everyone became instant Coug fans the day I signed on to compete for the Crimson and Gray. Yeah, no one had or has a problem wearing gifted Cougar gear until the day the Cougs play the Beavs. All bets are off when the two schools face-off.

No one from my family except Taylor decided to make the trek up to Seattle for the game, so I kind of breathed a sigh of relief knowing I wouldn't have to walk around with Beaver fans. I started thinking about some oversized basketball gear I had in my closet that Taylor could wear to the game when he rudely interrupted my vision of him in crimson and gray by telling me he would be wearing Beaver clothes to the game. 

W-H-A-T?!

Apparently...since Taylor grew up just a stone's throw from Corvallis...he claims to be a Beaver fan tried and true. Bogus. I simply COULD NOT believe it when he said he wasn't going to wear my hand-me-downs to the game. I almost dis-invited him. I asked him if he knew I played basketball at Washington State. I asked him if he wanted to stay together. I mean, I really tried to get him to rethink his decision. 

In the end, I was the obnoxious fan, sore loser, and person most likely NOT to receive the "good sportsmanship" award after the Cougs' loss. 

Oh whatever, Taylor, and all the other Beaver Believers out there. You got lucky this year. I hope this win saves your season. But let's not forget we've still got basketball and baseball seasons to look forward to!

Society of former Coug baseball players graciously allow Taylor into their pre-game toast.

That's my groomsman from Em and Greg's wedding on the far right, along with Seth and Nelli.

That's Emily's husband CARRYING HER PURSE!!!

Cougar Nation alive and well.

Love the Coug flags!

Still civil...before the game.

The besties from college!!!

Nice seats courtesy of Cougar Athletics. 

Taylor and his mama...there with Tay's dad to celebrate his big 5-0!

Trying to capture the Space Needle in the background. Go Cougs.

Lilypads, bee stings, and other Xterra obstacles

Taylor competed in the Xterra Black Diamond triathlon up near Seattle Yesterday. (He prefers these off-road races to the traditional road races, although he dabbles in those too, of course.)

I served as support crew, and as a post-race treat for all my hard work, we got to visit with my bestie Emily and her hubby Greg at their cute home in Redmond.

I had a lot of fun following him all day long. I had no problem keeping busy.

First, I watched him arrange his gear in the transition area and made myself useful by helping him squeeze into his wetsuit.

Once the race started, I tried to keep track of him swimming, but all of the athletes looked the same swimming in Lake Sawyer. I spotted him as he made his way out of the water and sprinted back to the transition area to give him some motivational words and a bit of encouragement...that, and I couldn't wait to tell him how the dude with the big beer belly was the winner of the swim! I'm sure that was encouraging, right?! 

Then, I bushwhacked through the forest to catch a glimpse (as well as a couple of pics) of him bike past all the twerps who finished before him on the swim. 

I can't forget to mention how much I enjoyed cheering for him on the run. I made friends with the race volunteers, and I got several of them in on the, "Oooh yeah! Lookin' goooood, Taylor!" and "Lookin' hottttt" cheers I belted from the top of my lungs every time he ran by us.

He did so well, and I am totally proud of the guy. He finished second in his age group and twenty-third overall. I think this is a huge accomplishment. 

Here's a few of the numerous photos I took over the weekend...

Poor Taylor. I'm always making him smile to fulfill my documentation desires. Here we are at Red Robin for the pre-race dinner. We stayed in Federal Way in strip mall city, so we had plenty of chain restaurant options, and neither of us had been to a Red Robin in so long. After dinner, we remembered just why. :-/

211 on the left calf; 27 on the right.

Making his way to the oh-so-exclusive transition area. No paparazzi allowed. 

Duh! There's always a loophole! Here he is setting up!

And here he is embarrassed I keep snapping pics. Tried to do it in stealth mode, but he saw...so that's why it's blurry.

"Let's see. Have I forgotten anything? I've got my socks, shoes, Gu, Camelback..."

Hey! Check me out!

"Kate! Seriously! Stop taking pictures and help me with the zipper."

"That little island seems pretty far away."

Go Taylor! Go Taylor! Go!

And...he's out of the water!

Transitioning...

This guy tore it up on the bike.

I didn't get photos of the second transition, but I did capture this!

Is that a smile I see? Are you having fun???

Take it off!!!

Done!

"Give me that Gatorade, and get me some pasta!"

"You're really and truly not done taking pictures yet?"

Yay Taylor!

I am so proud of this guy!

And...I forgot to take any pics when we were at Emily and Greg's house...totally kicking myself now! I tried to snap one when we were driving away, but she sprayed the hose to avoid the photo op. Thanks to the Lagreids for hosting a wonderful post-race barbecue in their adorable new house. I can't believe after almost a year, Em finally got to meet Taylor.

Gotcha, girlfriend!