Saturday, February 12th, 2022

 This afternoon I took Maxwell with me to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the Cyclones lose a heartbreaker to the Kansas State wildcats, 75-69 in overtime.  Iowa State started off hot and led 13-0 early on, which included 11 points from Aljaz Kunc.  The Cyclones led by as many as 15 points early in the second half, only to watch their lead slip away due to costly turnovers and hot shooting from K-State in the second half.  In overtime, Markquis Nowell made a big three pointer to put the Wildcats up 5 with about a minute to play, which was the dagger for ISU.

Izaiah Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he scored a game-high 27 points.  Aljaz Kunc was the only other Cyclone in double figures, with 19.  

I believe that today's game was the 17th ISU basketball game that I have taken Maxwell to, and it was the third time that he has seen ISU play K-State.  The last game I took Maxwell to was against Southeastern Louisiana.  Tonight was the eighth time that I have seen the Cyclones play Kansas State.  That includes victories in 2020, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, and 2003.  Kansas State won in 2019 and today.  

Friday, February 11th, 2022

 Today we are all a little worn out, as we flew back from our family vacation to Orlando this morning.  We spent a week down in Orlando (from Friday the 4th until today), where we spent the whole time exploring Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.  I'm not sure where to start in describing all of the fun.  So I'll sum up:

Last Friday we were able to pick up an interactive wand for Maxwell (of course he wanted a Harry Potter wand, the same as Nolan's).  After a brief trip to the parks that day, we enjoyed dinner reservations at Cowfish.  This was probably my favorite restraunt that we dined at for the entire trip.  I ordered the calamari for an appetizer, a spicy tuna roll for my entree, and a "Buffalos and bacon" drink (an old fashioned made with Buffalo Trace bourbon and garnished with a piece of candied bacon).  It was all delicious.

During our trip we stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific resort.  One of the perks about staying there is that it gave us an express pass that we could use for shorter lines for all of the rides.  There is no way that I would go down there without the express pass.  It saved us a ton of time waiting in lines (which we still did plenty of anyways).  I can't remember which rides we did each day, but over the course of the week we ended up riding pretty much everything (usually multiple times).  Maxwell loved the Spiderman ride.  Of course he was too small to go on some of the bigger rides.  Nolan was very brave and actually went on the Velocicoaster (which was almost too scary for me to be honest).  I would say that my favorite ride was Hagrid's.  The first time that I rode Hagrid's motorbike ride, I sat with Nolan in the very front row.  It was amazing.

In general, we enjoyed the Harry Potter areas the most.  It was so much fun being immersed in the Harry Potter wizarding world.  Drinking butter beer, doing "magic" with interactive wands, riding the Hogwarts Express, walking around Diagon Alley (and seeing the dragon breathe fire).  It was so much fun.  

One funny moment that I wanted to mention came at the Cat in the Hat ride.  Now, this ride was pretty lame, but we thought that maybe the kids would enjoy it.  Not the case.  While we were still seated in the ride towards the end of it, Maxwell commented that the ride "was not even exciting", and then he started to loudly boo the ride!  Lol.  He was just saying BOO, BOO!!  It was so funny.

Anyways, we are back in Iowa now, and it is back to reality for us.  

Elizabeth and the boys at the Universal Studios globe.

Nolan and Maxwell in front of the Spiderman ride.

Cool kids don't look at explosions.  Lol.  This was my favorite picture that I took of the trip.

I was impressed at how well Nolan did on the Velocicoaster ride!

Tuesday, February 1st, 2022

It's crazy to think that our little boy is now a SIX year old.  It's not every day that you turn six!  I think that he had a good birthday.  Elizabeth brought him a happy meal at school for lunch.  After school, I picked up a giant sugar cookie from Cookies, etc.  The boys each had a happy meal for supper... so yeah, Maxwell had two happy meals today!  

Maxwell got to open birthday cards from quite a few people that he received in the mail, and he proclaimed that he is now "rich" from all the birthday $$.  We got him a cool Spiderman costume and some Lego blind bags that had Jack Skellington, Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas, and some Ninjago characters.  Then he was able to Facetime with Grandma Becky and Amy & Brandon.  He was excited to show them all how fast he was now that he is 6.  

We didn't go out of the house to do anything fun for his birthday because we are trying to lay low and minimize our chances for catching Covid prior to our big trip coming up.  In just a few days we will be leaving for Orlando, Florida!  It is going to be so much fun to take the boys to Universal Studios and to Harry Potter World!

Here Maxwell propbably thinks he is Spiderman, while he poses with his giant cookie.

Happy birthday Maxwell!

Wednesday, January 5th, 2022

 Woof.  I guess they say a win is a win, but tonight's game between #11 Iowa State and #25 Texas Tech sure did not look like a battle of top-25 teams.  At least not on offense.  The Cyclones managed to claw out a 51-47 win over the Red Raiders, mostly with defense.  The Cyclones shot only 15 percent from the field in the second half, but Izaiah Brockington made a huge four point play with just a couple of minutes remaining to regain the lead for ISU.  The Cyclones then managed to make their free throws to eek out the win.  The second half tonight is one of the ugliest halves of basketball that I have seen at Hilton.

Brockington (14) and Aljaz Kunc (13) were the only Cyclones that scored in double figures today.  I would say that Brockington was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team in scoring, rebounds (9), and he made the big shot at the end.  

Tonight was the seventh time that I have seen Iowa State play Texas Tech in basketball, and I am happy to say that Iowa State has won all seven of those meetings.  The previous games were in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012.  

Saturday, January 1st, 2022

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today I took Nolan with me to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #8 ranked Cyclones fight hard but eventually fall to the #1 ranked Baylor Bears, 77-72.  The Cyclones held their own and kept the game close, in spite of the fact that Iowa State shot only 1-14 from three point land.  Tristan Enaruna was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 23 points and collected 8 rebounds.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Izaiah Brockington (18) and Tyrese Hunter (12).  Despite their loss, I still feel good about the prospects of this team for the rest of the season.

The crowd today was roudy, and it was fun to be back in that type of atmosphere in Hilton, since the past couple of years that has been lacking.  The last time I attended a game against the #1 ranked team in the country, the Cyclones defeated Oklahoma in 2016.  

Today's game was the 24th that Nolan has been to.  The last game I took him to was against Jackson State.  This was also the second time that Nolan has seen Iowa State play Baylor (2018 was the first).

As for myself, this was the sixth time that I have watched ISU play Baylor in basketball.  The previous times were losses in 2019 and 2015, and victories in 2018, 2017, and 2013.

Sunday, December 19th, 2021

 This weekend Amy & Brandon brought Logan & Emma over to visit, and to attend today's ISU men's basketball game against Southeastern Louisiana.  The Cyclones cruised to an easy win against the Lions, 77-54.  Along with the the Shostak family, I also brought Maxwell to the game, and we were all able to sit together in section 215.  Emma was such a cutie, and she wanted to sit on my lap for basically the whole game.  Today was the 16th time that I have taken Maxwell to a game.  The previous time was against Grambling State earlier this year.  

Caleb Grill was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 20 points (including 6 three pointers).  Grill was joined in double figures scoring by Izaiah Brockington (17) and Aljaz Kunc (13).  It is worth noting that Iowa State came into the game ranked as the number 11 team in the country, and they are still undefeated on the season at 11-0!  

Iowa State 77, Southeastern Louisiana 54.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

 Today I took Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum for a noon tipoff between Iowa State and Jackson State.  The Cyclones won a defensive battle over the Tigers, 47-37.  Jackson State is a member of the SWAC conference, and their university is located in Jackson, Mississippi.  

The game itself was fairly boring to watch.  The 47 points that the Cyclones scored was definitely the lowest total that I have ever seen them score in a win.  Aljaz Kunc was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 12 points.  He was joined in double figures scoring by Gabe Kalscheur (11).  Nolan did help me keep track of the stats on the back of a program today, which he seemed to enjoy.

Today marks the 23rd basketball game that I have taken Nolan to.  The previous game was against Alabama State.  

Go Cyclones!