Friday, December 30th, 2016

Iowa State 63, Texas Tech 56.

Tonight I took Nolan with me to watch the Cyclones pull out a hard-fought win against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.  In case you are keeping track (like I am), this was Nolan's 10th men's basketball game, and his third conference game (vs TCU in 2013-14 and vs Kansas State in 2015-16 were the others).  The Cyclones are a perfect 10-0 when Nolan has been in attendance! As for me, this was the fifth time that I have seen the Cyclones play (and defeat) the Red Raiders (2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012 were the others).

The game itself was not exactly inspiring.  To describe it best, I must say that the Cyclones played like flaming dog shit in the first half and trailed 25-35 at halftime.  They managed to pull their heads out of their asses enough to rally and erase a 14-point second half deficit en-route to victory.  Sorry for the language, but it seems more descriptive that way.  I guess that I will say Monte Morris was the player of the game for Iowa State as he scored 14 points and dished out 6 assists.  Naz Long did lead the team in scoring with 19 points, but he also went 1-7 from three point range.  They were the only two Cyclones in double figures scoring.

A view of the action against Texas Tech in the first half.  

Here Matt Thomas is shooting a 1-and-1 that would help seal the victory for Iowa State.

Sunday, December 25th, 2016

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Today was a fun day of relaxing with the family.  Nolan was really excited to open presents, and it was Maxwell's first Christmas!  Grandma Becky came down yesterday and spent the weekend with us.  Yesterday she baked sugar cookies with Elizabeth and then spent a long time frosting them in fancy designs.  I even made some peanut butter cookies with the Hershey's kisses on top.

Santa brought Nolan a scooter, marbles with a construction set that they roll down, and some mashems (Buzz and Woody).  We just got Maxwell some books, sippy cups, a couple little toys, and things that he will use since he doesn't really care much about presents yet.

Then we watched The Land Before Time, and Nolan thought that was really fun.  He kept talking about Dinosaurs all night afterwards.

Tuesday, December 20th, 2016

Tonight I took Nolan with me to Hilton Coliseum where we watched the Iowa State Cyclones defeat the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State, 88-60.  This was Nolan's 9th men's basketball game that he has attended, and his third game of this season.  So far, Iowa State is 9-0 is games that he has been to :)

Matt Thomas was the player of the game for Iowa State as he led the team in scoring with 23 points and collected 8 rebounds.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Naz Long (19) and Monte Morris (13).  Naz connected on 6 of 9 from three point range in the win.  Iowa State came into the game unranked after their loss earlier this month to the Iowa Hawkeyes.  It has been quite some time since I have been to a game in which the Cyclones were not ranked... ok, after doing some research I see that the last time I was at a game where the Cyclones were not ranked in the top-25 was back on November 17th, 2013 when they beat #7 Michigan.  That's impressive that they have been ranked for over 3 years!

Tonight was also the third time that I have seen Iowa State defeat Mississippi Valley State.  The previous times were on December 31st, 2014 (ISU won 83-33) and on December 31st, 2011 (ISU won 67-65).

A view of the action from our seats in section 216.

Nolan was a happy boy for the game :)

No scoreboard photo, but here we are with the court in the background.

Monday, December 12th, 2016

MAXWELL TOOK HIS FIRST STEPS TODAY!!!

I just got home from work a little while ago, and Elizabeth had a surprise for me!  She called me into the living room where Maxwell was able to take four or five steps towards me!  I'm so proud of him for being such a good walker.  I knew that he would be doing it soon... it seems like he has been walking with the assistance of holding onto objects (coffee table, couch, etc) for a month or two now.  Elizabeth tells me that he took a few steps towards her when she went to pick him up from daycare, so I suppose those were his true first steps.  She took a video of his walking today when she got home.  I even called grandpa Eben on Facetime so he could witness Maxwell walking.

After I got over the excitement of Maxwell finally walking, my next thought was to wonder how old Nolan was when he first walked (and who did it earlier?).
So from February 1st, 2016 until now... Maxwell was 315 days old (10 months and 11 days) at the time of his first steps.
In comparison, Nolan walked at 327 days old (or 10 months and 23 days) from July 14th, 2013 to June 6th, 2014).  I guess you could say that Maxwell is the "winner".

Monday, December 5th, 2016

Tonight I was able to take Nolan to Hilton Coliseum where we enjoyed watching the Iowa State Cyclones (ranked #25 in the AP poll) take down the Mavericks of Nebraska-Omaha, 91-47.  In case you are keeping track, this is Nolan's 8th time attending an ISU men's basketball game.  I listed the other seven times in my previous blog post if you are curious. Anyways, Nolan was a good boy for me and sat through the entire game.  I did have to bribe him with candy and a large Pepsi, but he made it.

As for the game, the Cyclones dominated from the start.  Deonte Burton recorded the first 13 points for Iowa State (in less than 3 minutes) to give ISU a 13-3 lead.  The Cyclones never looked back from there, and Burton finished with 20 points.  He was joined in double figure scoring by Donovan Jackson (15), Darrell Bowie (12), and Naz Long (11).  Jackson had a nice game off of the bench as he connected on 5 three-pointers.

This was the second time that I have watched ISU defeat Nebraska-Omaha.  The other was back in 2012 when the Cyclones won 93-65.  Another funny thing about this game is that the Mavericks just finished defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, 98-89.  How bad are the Hawkeyes??

Tip-off between ISU and Nebraska-Omaha.

Nolan and I enjoying the game from our seats (Section 216, row 16).

GO CYCLONES!!

Sunday, November 20th, 2016

This afternoon we were able to take our whole family to watch the Iowa State men's basketball game against The Citadel.  This was special because it was Maxwell's first time going to a basketball game, and I believe that this was Nolan's seventh men's basketball game.  Let's see if I can list the games Nolan has attended:

• 2013-14 ISU 110, UMKC 51.
• 2013-14 ISU 84, TCU 69.
• 2014-15 ISU 73, UMKC 56.  
• 2015-16 ISU 106, Grand Valley State, 60 (exhibition).
• 2015-16 ISU 106, Chicago State 64.
• 2015-16 ISU 80, Kansas State 61.  
• 2016-17 ISU 130, The Citadel 63.  

Brian Gleason was in town for the game, and he had some extra tickets in section 132, so naturally we upgraded seats for the game.  We sat in the 9th and 10th rows, so the view was spectacular.  Eben and cousin David drove down for the game and used my normal tickets up in section 216.  

The game was record-breaking in that the 130 points were the most ever scored by Iowa State in a single game.  It was also special in that Monte Morris recorded a triple double for just the 5th time in school history (he finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and zero turnovers).  Because of that, he was an easy pick for player of the game.  Although, he was one of EIGHT players in double figures scoring for the Cyclones.  Morris was joined by Naz Long (26), Matt Thomas (18), Merrill Holden (13), Darrell Bowie (13), Solomon Young (12), Nick Weiler-Babb (10), and Donovan Jackson (10).  That's a crazy amount of players to score in double figures.  Coming into the game, The Citadel had the fastest pace of any team in the country.  Being completely out-matched by Iowa State, and trying to run at a fast pace was a recipe for disaster and led to the gaudy high scoring.  

Maxwell and myself at the game.

Here is the view from our seats during warm-ups.

Here Donovan Jackson is pulling up and about to hit a jumper in the lane.

Iowa State 130, The Citadel 63.

Monday, November 14th, 2016

Another blog post, another Cyclone sporting event... Tonight's game featured the Iowa State Cyclones (ranked #20 in the AP poll) vs. Mount St. Mary's.  It was not exactly a flashy win for Iowa State, but they did manage to cruise to an 18-point victory, 73-55.  I suppose I will go with Monte Morris as the player of the game for Iowa State as he led the team with 18 points.  He was joined in double figures scoring for the Cyclones by Matt Thomas (13), Deonte Burton (10), and Nick Weiler-Babb (10).

What I will remember most about this game is that the Mountaineers featured Naz Long's brother, Elijah. He led Mount St. Mary's with 19 points.  In case you were wondering, Naz had a bit of an off night as he shot 2-10 from the floor and scored 8 points.

Eben made the trip down to watch the game with me.  The last game he watched with me in Hilton was Iowa State's win over Texas Tech last season.

Iowa State wins, 73-55.

GO STATE!

Saturday, November 12th, 2016

Last night I enjoyed watching the Iowa State men's basketball home-opening victory over the Savannah State Tigers, 113-71.  My cousin David came along to the game with me, and then we went out and had a little fun at the bars afterwards :)  Elizabeth and the boys traveled up to Mason City for the weekend to visit Becky.  It was kind of nice to have a "night off" from childcare duties once in a while.

As for the game, the Cyclones dominated and led by as many as 43 points in the second half.  Monte Morris led Iowa State with 21 points, and he chipped in 11 assists without committing a turnover.  Other Cyclones that scored in double-figures were Naz Long (18), Matt Thomas (14), Merrill Holden (12), and Solomon Young (11).  It was strange watching a game without Georges Niang, and there were quite a few new faces on the team that I will have to get used to.  Anyways, it was nice to finally have basketball season return, and it was nice to watch a Cyclone victory!

I believe the 113 points were the most that I have seen Iowa State score in a game!

Sunday, October 30th, 2016

Yesterday marked the third year in a row in which I helped push my aunt LaVonne in her wheelchair as she participated in the Iowa State Alumni Band halftime show for the homecoming football game.  I was never in the band or anything myself, but now you could say that I'm an honorary member.  Because the game's kickoff was set for 11:00, we had to start our day EARLY.  LaVonne, aunt Susan, and their friend Gail all picked my up at 5:30 in the morning so we could make it over to the practice facility by 6:00.  There we spent quite a while going over the formations and practicing the music for our halftime show.  This year it was pretty easy to learn because LaVonne and I basically stayed on the same spot of the field for the halftime performance (we were on the North 35 yard line).  Compared to past years where we had to move 5 yards this way, and 5 yards that way, it was pretty nice.  There was once where we did have to turn 180 degrees a couple of times, but that was about it.

Here I am with LaVonne as the band practices early in the morning.

I stood with LaVonne along the East sideline for the game.  This was our view of the game during the first half. If you look close you can see the ball in the air during a punt.  

Here is a photo that Susan took of the band during halftime.  LaVonne and I are at the corner of the "S" along the 35 yard line.

Here is LaVonne, her friend Gail, and myself standing by the Jack Trice statue near the football stadium.

As for the game itself, the Cyclones came up on the short end of the stick against the Kansas State Wildcats, 26-31.  I wasn't expecting much from the team as they have not done well at all this year (the team is now 1-7).  I enjoyed last year's homecoming game much better when ISU defeated Texas.

Monday, October 24th, 2016

So today was a fun day.  My season basketball tickets came in the mail, AND Elizabeth picked up my new custom license plate for my car!  I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas morning :)

Season basketball tickets!  Section 216, row 16, seats 7 and 8.

My new license plate :)

Also of note recently... the Chicago Cubs will be playing in the World Series for the first time since 1945 tomorrow.  GO CUBS, GO!

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

Today Elizabeth and I took the kids down to Center Grove Orchard for a little family fun.  It's quite the fun place for kids.  When we first arrived, we headed for a big slide where you sit on a burlap sack while you slide down.  There was not too much of a line early on, so I went down twice with Nolan, and Elizabeth slid down once with him.  We didn't take Maxwell down as he seemed too little for it.

Elizabeth and Nolan going down the big slide.

From there, we headed over to... well, I'm not sure what you call it exactly.  It's like a bouncy castle, but not enclosed.  It's like a big bouncy floor.  Nolan jumped on that for quite a while, and it was hard to convince him to leave and do something else.

Nolan jumping on the bouncy-floor.

Next we stood in line a little while to wait to go on the hay ride.  The hay ride took us out to where you can pick your own apples or ride on a small train.  We didn't bother to pick any apples, but we did ride the train.  There was also a tractor pulling some small wagons that were made into seats.  We took a ride on that after the train ride was over.

Train!

Salton-selfie while riding the train.

At the same location as the train ride and tractor rides was the "combine slide"  It's basically an old worn out combine that they built a slide into.  There was almost no line for this, so Nolan probably went down it 6 times at least.  I went down with him the first couple of times, but he was getting grumpy and insisted that he could do it himself, so the last few times I let him climb up and slide down all by himself.  He's a "big boy" now I guess.

Nolan coming down the combine slide.

After the combine slide, we hopped back on the hay ride that took us farther down the trail to the pumpkin patch.  Thankfully this year Nolan only wanted a "small" pumpkin,  Unlike 2014 when I had to carry back the giant 76-pound pumpkin, this year we selected a 14-pound pumpkin.  I was pleased.

Next, we took anther hay ride back to the main buildings.  By this point we were getting a little tired and needed to head home soon.  We spent a few minutes looking at the animal exhibits, but soon we were on our way home.  It was a very fun day for sure :)

Nolan looking at the ducks.

Turkeys.

Monday, September 5th, 2016

Happy Labor Day 2016.  It's always nice to have a three day weekend and have an extra day to "relax".  Today the relaxing is mainly giving the kids some TLC as they are both sick.  Last Friday Maxwell was diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth disease.  He's got little blisters all over his hands... poor little guy.  Then just last night Nolan started to get a fever, so I'm guessing he has it now too.  So we are trying to give them extra cuddles and some rest because apparently there is not much you can do for it other than to let it run it's course.  It should clear up in 7 to 10 days.

This past Saturday I attended Iowa State's first football game of the season, and the first under head coach Matt Campbell.  The team did not look very good at all, losing to the UNI Panthers 25-20.  Besides the disappointment of the game, I did enjoy myself quite a bit.  The weather was beautiful, and I was able to tailgate from roughly 11:15 AM up until the 7:00 PM kickoff.  I met up with the Wide Right Natty Light group (Kyle Perkins, Dan Becker, Tim Nevins, etc), but later on I was joined by a couple of old Freddy Court neighbors, Kaitlin & Erin, along with Kaitlin's boyfriend, Zach.  We played plenty of games... flippy cup, beer pong, beer ball, and some Frisbee game.

This was the fourth time that I have seen Iowa State play UNI in football.  Sadly, the Cyclones are only 2-2 in those games.  I've seen Iowa State win in 2015 and 2011, but then the Panthers have won this year and also in 2013.

Tim, Kaitlin, Zach, Erin, and myself.

Here I am greeting Kaitlin and Erin.

Zach and I were the beer pong champions :)

Here is the view from my seat of the game.

Friday, August 26th, 2016

Today I am writing about Maxwell's first sporting event at Hilton Coliseum.  We were able to take the whole family to watch the ISU volleyball season opener against Wichita State.  The Cyclones ended up winning in straight sets: 25-16, 25-21, and 25-20.

Maxwell, Mommy, and Nolan getting ready for the game to start.

Here is the opening serve between Wichita State and Iowa State.

Maxwell got to meet Cy!!

I was looking back through my blog, and the first time that Nolan attended an ISU sporting event was on October 9th, 2013.  Similarly, his first sporting event was an ISU volleyball game.  Even better, the Cyclones won that match in straight sets against another team from the state of Kansas (Kansas State).  Nolan was also able to meet Cy that night as well.

Monday, August 1st, 2016

I just wanted to point out that today is special for us because little Maxwell is now 6 months old!  He's changing so much now.  He's basically army crawling now, but he can't quite crawl normally.  He can get up onto his hands and knees, but he will only wiggle around.  He still needs to figure out how to coordinate his arms & legs to crawl.

Maxwell at 6 months old!!

Another fun thing about today is that our friends Dan & Anne Becker welcomed their second child today as Lara Mae was born this morning :)

Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

Today we had a family photo shoot with Destri from d&orfs photography over at McFarland Park.  We have such a happy little family :)

Thursday, June 16th, 2016

Well tonight for supper I had some leftover soft shell tacos, Elizabeth had some leftover cheese tortellini, Nolan had some yogurt... some candy... and part of a PB&J sandwich.  None of that was very interesting.  The interesting part was that Maxwell had solid food for the first time!  Elizabeth fed him some squash baby food, which happens to be the first solid food that Nolan ate back in 2013.

Maxwell taking a bite of squash.

I think he likes it!