byu-uh game

The last time I was in Aloha Stadium was before my mission to watch my little brother, David play for the Kahuku Red Raiders in the state championships.  I have very fond memories of this stadium- rain or shine, it was always fun to be a part of the red raider nation.  Though this game didn't involve the Kahuku team, sitting in the BYU family section still felt like old times because of all the Laie/Hawaii people that were there.  It was such a FUN day - it was so exciting to cheer on Michael and the Cougars.  

We got to the stadium a little early to eat lunch in the stadium parking lot . . . us and about 500 other people.  I'd never seen so many tailgaters.  There was music, laughing and a lot of food - it was such a fun atmosphere.

Kinda a glum family pic . . . I think the kids had just gotten in trouble for running around in the road.

Our Laie cousins who came to support - Tiare, Andrea, Vika, Loti and Jaddy.  We love you guys!

This random BYU fan/tourist saw us all standing by the ticket counter talking to our neighbor, Inoke Funaki, and wanted to take our picture because of our Michael shirts.  Even though Inoke is on the UH coaching staff, we aaalll know he's a BYU Cougar DEEP down inside. haha

Inoke and Wayne and the cutest BYU cheerleaders of the day.

Our cheering section!  We were so happy and grateful that Michael got us all tickets!  I think he got about 18 in all - it was so great to all sit together and cheer on the team.  With all the family around, the little girls just went back and forth from aunty to uncle and were happy whole time.  The Hawaii cousins had a fun time learning the BYU cheers.  Their favorite? The "ra ra ra-ra-ra, ra ra ra-ra-ra, gooooo Cougars!" haha

Michael had an awesome game - he was one of the leading rushers and BYU won 41-20.  This is a crazy awesome shot that was on the Sport's section front page of the Sunday Honolulu Advertiser.

 Vili Fehoko was the lead Tongan drummer for the village and night show when Tali and I first started working at PCC and he is now the official UH mascot.  He was HILARIOUS during the game. . . but a little too scary for baby Tali afterward.

After the game, we all waited by the tunnel to congratulate the team. (Did you notice Tali lost one of her Crocs? Aargh!  Seriously, I still feel like crying when I think about it.)

After Kina gave Michael his lei, she started to eat the candy on his other one. Real NICE.  I don't know where she gets it from. . . 

 Hannah, mom, Walter Kahaialii, Wayne and Tali, Ali'i, Michael, Spencer Hadley, Marcus Matthews, Inoke and Amalani, Tali, Tiare, me and Dad.

The WHOLE group (Aunty Eseta made that awesome tongan lei for Michael.  Isn't it beautiful?)

 As we were taking pictures, President Samuelson and his wife came by and said hi.  We love him so much - about five and a half years ago he sealed us in the Mt. Timpanogos temple.  This man amazes me - out of all the million people he knows he still remembers and greets me and Wayne by name.  He shook my hand and said, "Hi Mary! Wow. Michael had a great game today!" 

Our family

We had a very fun and full day.  We saw so many old friends and family members and totally enjoyed the Aloha spirit and Hawaii game day atmosphere.  It was frosting on the cake that Michael played well and the Cougars won.  On our way back to the car, we ran into Aunty Fine Uyema who gave us some of her famous Mochiko chicken (YUMMO!) which was the perfect ending of a PERFECT day. 

Goooo Cougars!