Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

I just got back from watching the Cyclones hold off the Kansas State Wildcats, 70-65.  This game was way more stressful than it needed to be.  After getting off to a hot start in the first half, the Cyclones led by as many as 20 points in the second half.  However, before you knew it, they had blown the entire lead, and Kansas State came back to actually take a one point lead late in the second half.  Thankfully, the Cyclones managed to make some key plays down the stretch to seal the victory.
Matt Thomas was the player of the game for the Cyclones.  He scored a career-high 25 points, which included shooting 7 of 10 from three point land.  He had 20 points in the first half.  Thomas was joined in double-figures scoring for the Cyclones by Naz Long (13) and Monte Morris (12).  Coming into today's game, both teams were receiving votes in the AP top-25, but neither team was ranked.

This is the fifth time that I have seen Iowa State play (and defeat) Kansas State.  The previous times were back in 2016, 2013, 2012, and in 2003.

Iowa State 70, Kansas State 65.

Monday, January 16th, 2017

I just got back from Hilton Coliseum after watching the Iowa State Cyclones lose a hard-fought game against the #2 ranked Kansas Jayhawks, 76-72.  The Jayhawks led for most of the game, double digits at times, and ISU just could not quite close the gap.  Kansas did have a 10 point lead with under two minutes to play, but Monte Morris and Naz Long connected on back to back three-pointers to make it interesting.

One thing that I will remember about this game was the fun atmosphere.  There was a light-up foam stick placed at every seat that would flash red when turned on.  That made for a pretty cool scene when the stadium's lights were turned down for player introductions.  

Monte Morris was the player of the game for Iowa State.  He finished with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals.  He was joined in double-figure scoring by Deonte Burton (21) and Naz Long (18).  The problem was that besides those three guys, the rest of the team only combined for 10 points.  

Tonight was the third time that I have seen ISU play Kansas, but unfortunately the Cyclones have only won one of those games (back in 2015).  

Pregame where you can see everyone's glow stick.

Kansas won the opening tip.

Saturday, January 7th, 2017

Iowa State 79, Texas 70.

Today Eben came down to spend the day playing with the grandkids, and then he joined me at the game to watch the Cyclones handle the Longhorns.  Iowa State seemed in control for most of the game tonight as they led by as many as 14 points in the second half.  Deonte Burton was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he scored a game-high 27 points.  Burton even made a three-pointer right before the half to put the Cyclones up nine, 40-31.  Monte Morris also played a very complete game for the Cyclones as he scored 22 points, collected 10 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists.  The only other player in double figures for Iowa State was Naz Long, who had 11 points.  I will remember one bone-head play by Naz in this game.  At one point he had a break away where he was all by himself, and he tried to dunk it with two hands.  He missed the dunk, and then he was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim afterwards.

This is the sixth time that I have seen Iowa State play (and defeat) Texas.  The others were back in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and back in 2004.

Go State!

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".