Tonight began our tailgating and football season with an 8 pm game at Stanford vs. San Jose State University.
We all love this tradition we started about 4 years ago and were glad to be kicking off the season again after our year away. In a way, I feel like we are camping with half the amount of work and stuff, and no uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

April and I plan a menu, shop together and help prepare dinner for our family and friends. The boys bring a portable Weber barbecue and we set up bar height tables and chairs and set out a spread of delicious food and drinks. The kids like to draw and make signs for the game and toss the football around the parking lot and get all dusty before the game.


Tonight we had tri-tip on torta rolls, coleslaw, watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, broccoli salad, and cilantro shrimp. We also had several appetizers to share and munch while relaxing with good friends before the game as well as several desserts!
It was an especially warm night and we didn’t need any sweatshirts until the end of the night. The game was excellent and it was great to be in the stands again.

One highlight of the game was seeing Ms. Maehara in the crowd. She is a teacher from our school who has taught all our kids and is one of the most passionate teachers I’ve ever met. Tonight at half time they honored educators who graduated from Stanford, and she came and brought our kids with her out onto the field with her. What a treat!! I think they all enjoyed the experience and we’re thankful for our amazing and dedicated teacher.

We also loved watching the Stanford band and the new female drum major, dressed as Dorothy from Wizard Of Oz, with Toto on her baton that she waived through the air as she lead the band through the night.
It’s a late night but was so much fun. Stanford beat San Jose 34-13. I’m glad we got to share it with my parents, Leland and his family and April and Steve and their family too.
Hope you have a great rest of the weekend!!
xo