Wednesday, October 7th, 2026

 Today I took Nolan and Maxwell over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched an NBA preseason game between the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves.  It is pretty rare for an NBA game to be played at Hilton, but the reason for it was to honor Tyrese Haliburton.

As for the game, the Pacers ended up winning, 123-112.  Really the first half was the only interesting part, as the starters for either team did not play in the second half.  This was Haliburton's first basketball game in over a year, as he missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles in the NBA Finals. Haliburton did score the first points of the game today, and he ended up with 7 points and 6 assists in only 16 minutes of playing time. Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 19 points, while Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 19 points. 

This was the first NBA game that the boys have been to, and it was my fourth.  I know that I have been to two Chicago Bulls games (both were against San Antonio), and I went to a Pistons / Wizards game out in Washington, D.C. 

I know that one of the Bulls games I went to with Elizabeth was the season opening game in 2009, where the Bulls won 92-85.  I believe the other game was the season before that, when the Spurs won 92-87. 

Saturday, October 3rd, 2026

 HAPPY HOMECOMING

Today I helped push LaVonne in her wheelchair for the alumni band halftime performance, which is the 12th time that I have done so. I'm happy to say that Iowa State was able to defeat West Virginia today, 45-42. The previous time I helped Lavonne with homecoming was last year vs BYU.

Aaron and Lavonne picked me up early today, at 5:15 AM. We had the alumni band practice at 6 AM, and the alumni breakfast and meeting around 7:30.  One neat part about today was that we were able to meet the new president of Iowa State University, David Cook.  He was friendly and happy to talk to us.

As for the game, Aiden Flora had an outstanding performance.  He ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns, and he actually threw two passing touchdowns as well. It's not very often that you see a running back throw for two touchdowns. Today's game is the fourth football game that I have watched between the Cyclones and Mountaineers. That includes Cyclone wins today, in 2022, and in 2018.  The other time was a win for West Virginia in 2012.

Here we are with Iowa State's president, David Cook. 

Sunday, September 27th, 2026

 Yesterday I took Nolan over to Jack Trice Stadium, where we watched the Cyclones fall to #15 Utah, 31-17.  

The game did not start out well at all for Iowa State, as Wayshawn Parker ran 54 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.  After trailing 24-3 at halftime, the Cyclones did show some life in the second half, as they did get within 24-17 and had possession of the ball.  Unfortunately, the Cyclones could not make enough plays when it counted. 

Before the game we hung out in the RV lots during a rainy tailgate.  Dan cooked up some burgers with pretzel buns, which were yummy. I enjoyed some Paulaner Oktoberfest bier with it. 

Today's game was the 16th football game that I have taken Nolan to.  The previous game was last year against Kansas.  As for myself, this is the first time that I have attended a game between the Cyclones and Utes. 

Saturday, September 5th, 2026

 Today was the first ISU football game of the season, and it marked the start of the Jimmy Rogers era at Iowa State.  

I took Maxwell with me to the game, where we watched the Cyclones defeat Southeast Missouri, 38-10.  It will take a while to get used to all of the new players on the team, as most of the players from last year transferred with the coaching change. Anyways, ISU quarterback Jaylen Raynor threw for two touchdowns and ran for another two scores. The play of the game came from Beni Ngoyi, who made an amazing one-handed interception.  Today's game was the 11th Cyclone football game that Maxwell has attended.  It is also the second time that we have seen the Cyclones play against SEMO (2022).

Before the game our whole family went over to the RV lots for a big tailgate party.  Dan cooked breakfast tacos for everyone.  The weather today was fairly hot and humid, which did make sitting through the game somewhat uncomfortable. 

Go Cyclones!

Friday, August 28th, 2026

 Today after work I took Nolan over to Hilton, where we watched the season-opener for the ISU volleyball team, as the Cyclones defeated Loyola Chicago in straight sets (25-12, 25-20, and 25-22). 

It was fun to be back inside Hilton.  Nolan enjoyed a Clone Cone, and we both made it on the jumbotron!  

I don't keep track of the volleyball games that we've attended nearly as well as other sports, but here are a few past games:

• West Virginia 2025 (win 3-1)
• Toledo 2024 (win 3-0)
• TCU 2019 (win 3-0)
• South Dakota 2019 (win 3-0)
• Ole Miss 2018 (win 3-0)
• West Virginia 2017 (win 3-1)
• Kent State 2017 (win 3-0)
• Wichita State 2016 (win 3-0)
• West Virginia 2015 (win 3-0)
• Kansas 2014 (win 3-2)
• Kansas State 2013 (win 3-0)

Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

 It's back to school time!  On one hand it is sad that the summer is over, but it is good to look forward to what the next school year will bring.  Maxwell started 5th grade yesterday, and he has Mrs. Goodman for his teacher.  Today, Nolan started 8th grade.  Next year will be quite the change when Maxwell starts middle school and Nolan begins high school!

Maxwell on his first day of 5th grade.

Nolan on his first day of 8th grade.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

 HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY NOLAN!!

Today I took the day off from work to stay home and have fun with the kids.  I took Nolan and Maxwell over to Perfect Games, where they played arcade games for a good hour.  Next, we went to the Furman Aquatic Center, where we spent about three and a half hours.  We had lots of time going down the tube slides, the red drop slide, jumping from the spring board and high platform, and floating in the lazy river. For supper tonight Elizabeth and grandma Becky joined us at Nolan's favorite pizza place... Blaze.  Finally, we came home and Nolan opened presents. Hopefully it was a fun day for our newest TEENAGER!

Nolan and Maxwell with some of the prizes they won at Perfect Games.

Nolan with his birthday cake.