We're here for RSL

Oh what a night!

I'm still recovering from what I would call an RSL hangover. No, I didn't consume any alcohol last night, but there is something about the atmosphere at Rio Tinto Stadium that was intoxicating.

It started off with preparations to sing Oh Canada and The Star Spangled Banner with my four brothers and my Dad. We arrived a few hours before the game started to do a sound check. Because of security reasons, we had to stay on the side line, which was amazing. Coaches and players from RSL came in and out of the locker room and warmed up right next to us. It was a cool experience to be so close to Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales and all the other players as they walked right in front of us.

In addition to singing and getting into the game free, RSL gave us each a jersey with the number 12 (for 2012) and LeBaron on the back. If we were to buy them ourselves, they'd be $99.95 each, before taxes.  Not a bad deal!

Staying warmed up on the sideline right before we sang.

Our excitement continued to grow as the stadium began to fill up. We had over 40 friends and family who came to support us and watch the game. The only negative thing was that it was pretty cold on the sideline. The day wasn't very warm to begin with and we were in the shade with a chilly breeze blowing by. But it was worth it.

When our time came, we marched on the field and sung it in front of 17,623 fans like the 100 other times we had practiced it. I think it sounded fantastic, aside from a few flat notes by me...

Here is the link to us singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyPM0FyPlOw


After being escorted to our seats, we enjoyed a fantastic soccer match with our families and friends. To top it off, Real won 3-2, in a stoppage-time goal, securing three points in the standings. It was a fantastic night.

Beyond the freebies and the experience, it was awesome to just spend that much time with my family. For us to come together and unite is something I will cherish for a long time. Music has blessed my life and kept my family close. I'm grateful to also have my little brother Sterling sing with us as well. He refused to sing with us for a long time, but finally came around to it. (I'm sure my Mother is more happy than I am)

All in all, it was a night never to forget. Next up, I think we'll try to sing for the Utah Jazz and maybe a few other sports teams around the state.

Lots of fans

Amazing sunset

Celebration after a goal

For more photos, go here.

Memories of Summer

Anyone who knows me knows that I love ice cream. Not just like ice cream, but LOVE ice cream. It is my favorite dessert for sure. And when it is combined with brownies, ice cream or Oreos, I'm pretty much in heaven.

As Airin and I were driving down the road the other day, we spotted one of these:

This brought back two memories. The first and most recent one was riding through the streets of Detroit as a missionary in 2007. Each summer day, we'd hear it's redundant and blaring renditions of "Camptown Races", "Are You Sleeping?" or "Do Your Ears Hang Low" played over and over again... Just the thought of them drives me crazy. Kids would come screaming down the street after it, hoping to buy some delicious frozen treat. Some days during that summer it would have been great to buy something and enjoy it, but I never did.

That leads me to the other memory I have. As a kid, I heard the ice cream truck come around every summer and I yearned to buy something. My Mother wouldn't give me $4 for something we could get at the store for 50 cents, so I don't remember ever buying anything. But there was one ice cream treat I always wanted: The Bubble Play. Remember it?

I don't know why, but I always wanted one. Maybe it was the bubble gum baseball or just the sheer joy of having a treat that looked like a mit, I can't remember. I'm not even sure they still make it. But looking back, it is a funny memory I have of when I was a kid. I sure loved those days. And nothing reminds me that it's summertime better than ice cream trucks and annoying ice cream truck music.

Great. Now I'm thinking about ice cream. Looks like I'll have to go fulfill a craving now.