Sunday, March 31st, 2024

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

That's right.  Today I turned the big 4-0.  Mike Gundy would say that "I'm a man" now.  

To celebrate, I took Elizabeth and the boys up to Eben's farm for the weekend.  I had requested a birthday meal at Godfather's Pizza in Spencer.  The reason for this was because I could remember that Lynn had her 40th birthday there, so this way I could honor her.  Lynn's favorite pizza was pepperoni, but she also really enjoyed their taco pizza.

Our pizza party was yesterday evening at 6:30.  Prior to that, dad drove us up to Milford to enjoy some beers at the West O brewery.  Well, Elizabeth and I enjoyed some beers.  The kids had root beer / cream soda, and dad was fine without any of that.  Of course, I had to order an Ames Lager, which helps to support the We Will foundation for ISU athletes.  I also ordered the Coco stout nitro and the Lake Beast, which is a New England IPA.  Both of them were quite tasty.  

Another fun thing to note about today, other than it being my birthday (and Christian's), is that today happens to be Easter.  This is the fourth time during my lifetime that Easter has fallen on my birthday.  The previous times were in 1991, 2002, and 2013. It won't happen again until 2086... when I would be 102 years old!

Cheers to 40!

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

 THE CYCLONES ARE UNDEFEATED AT HILTON!!

Today Amy drove over from Omaha and attended Iowa State's 68-63 senior night victory over the BYU Cougars with me.  With the win, the Cyclones finished off a perfect 18-0 season at home.  It was the first time they have accomplished the feat since the 2000-2001 season.  

Iowa State came into the game ranked #6, while BYU was ranked #20 in the country. The game itself was stressful to watch.  The Cougars led by 11 points at halftime, and with just under 16 minutes left to play they still led Iowa State by a score of 46-32.  The Cyclones mounted a spirited comeback behind Tamin Lipsey and Curtis Jones, along with a great defensive effort.  BYU was held scoreless for the last 4:24 of the game.  I would say that Tamin Lipsey was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he led the team with 19 points and had 5 steals.  Curtis Jones was the only other Cyclone in double figures, with 18 points.

It had been 2 years since Amy attended a basketball game with me.  The last time she was at an ISU basketball game was against Southeastern Louisiana back in 2021. 

As for myself, this was the second time that I have watched a game between Iowa State and BYU.  The first time was a win back in 2012. 

I am excited to see how Iowa State wraps up the rest of the season.  They should be in position to have a great seed in the NCAA tournament, and it looks like they will be a 2 seed in the Big 12 tournament.

Here is a recap of the games I attended this year:

Wins:

• BYU
• Oklahoma
• West Virginia
• Texas Tech
• TCU
• Kansas
• Oklahoma State
• New Hampshire
• Eastern Illinois
• Florida A&M
• Prairie View A&M
• Iowa
• Idaho State
• Lindenwood

Losses: NONE!

LET'S GO STATE!

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

 I'm excited right now, as Maxwell and I just got home from watching another fun win for Iowa State.

The #8 Cyclones took down the Oklahoma Sooners in the last meeting between the two schools as Big 12 opponents, 58-45.  I was nervous coming into the game, as this was Maxwell's last opportunity to watch the Cyclones knock off the Sooners before leaving to the SEC.  One of my goals was to take each kid to see a basketball win against each Big 12 school, and that could have been spoiled if Oklahoma won today... but thankfully the good guys came out on top!

As for the game, it was not pretty offensively.  None of Iowa State's starters managed to score in double figures.  The player of the game for ISU was Demarion Watson, who came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points and collect 9 rebounds.  The only other Cyclone in double figures was Curtis Jones (11).  

This was the 31st men's basketball game that I have taken Maxwell to.  He has now witnessed wins against each of the old Big 12 schools, except for Oklahoma State.  Of course he still needs to see wins against all of the new Big 12 schools.

Today's game was the tenth time that I have seen the Cyclones play the Sooners.  Iowa State has won eight of those, including today, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013.  Oklahoma won in 2023 and 2003.

GO CYCLONES!

Saturday, February 24th, 2024

 LET'S GO CYCLONES!!

Today I took Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #6 Iowa State Cyclones survive a scare from the West Virginia Mountaineers, 71-64.  Coming into the game, I was expecting this to be an easy win for Iowa State.  West Virginia was last place in the Big 12 Conference, but give them credit for keeping the game close.  The Mountaineers opened up the game on fire, as they led 11-2.  Iowa State would respond to take a 40-30 lead at halftime.  In the second half West Virginia came back to take the lead 51-50 with about 9 minutes left to play.  Then Iowa State went on a 14-0 run that ended up putting the game away.  

I would say that Tamin Lipsey was the player of the game for the Cyclones, as he led the team with 14 points and 6 assists.  The only other player for Iowa State in double figures scoring was Curtis Jones (12).  

Today's game was the 36th men's basketball game that I have taken Nolan to.  It was the second time that he has witnessed a win vs West Virginia (2022).  As for myself, this was the seventh game that I have watched between the Cyclones and Mountaineers (and the fifth win).  Iowa State also came out on top in 2022, 2019, 2018, and in 2013.  West Virginia won in 2020 and 2017.  

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

 Another day, another win for ISU basketball.

Today I took Maxwell over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #10 Iowa State Cyclones defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 82-74.  

This was the first time that Maxwell has attended a game vs Texas Tech, and it was nice to have him cross one more conference opponent off of the list.  Besides today, he has also witnessed Cyclone victories against: Kansas (2024), Texas (2023), Kansas State (2020), West Virginia (2018), TCU (2017), and Baylor (2017).  This was the 30th men's basketball game that I have taken Maxwell to.  

Today's win was the 20th of the season for Iowa State, and it is one more notch in their belt that will come in handy on Selection Sunday.  Expectations are that the Cyclones should be at least a 4 seed or better in the NCAA tournament.  As for today's game, Keshon Gilbert was the player of the game.  He led the Cyclones with 24 points and 8 rebounds.  Gilbert was joined in double figures scoring for the Cyclones by Curtis Jones (12), Robert Jones (10), Tamin Lipsey (10), and Milan Momcilovic (10).  There was a fun halftime show today, as the Red Panda performed.  She is an acrobat riding a tall unicycle that will flip bowls from her foot and catch them on top of her head!

For myself, this is the eighth time that I have watched Iowa State play the Red Raiders in basketball.  I am happy to say that the Cyclones have won all eight of those games!  The previous games were in 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2012.  

Iowa State 82, Texas Tech 74.

Saturday, February 10th, 2024

 LET'S GO STATE!

Today I took Nolan over to Hilton Coliseum, where we watched the #14 ranked Iowa State Cyclones take down the TCU Horned Frogs, 71-59.

The Cyclones played really well on defense in the first half, allowing them to build an early lead which they never gave up.  I would say that Keshon Gilbert was the player of the game for Iowa State, as he scored 13 points to go along with 7 assists.  Joining him in double figures for Iowa State was Tre King (15) and Curtis Jones (13).  

The highlight of the game for me was the fact that I won a t-shirt!  There was a trivia contest where the top 10 people win shirts, and I came in 8th place!  I was able to pick out what shirt I wanted, so I got a large gold "Juicy" t-shirt.  Today's game was "Gold Rules", where everyone was encouraged to wear gold clothing.  

Today was the third time that Nolan has been in attendance for an Iowa State basketball game vs TCU. We took him to a memorable game way back in 2014 when he was less than 1 year old.  In that game, Melvin Ejim scored a whopping 48 points!  I also took Nolan to the game in 2019, where TCU ended up winning.   Today's game was the 35th ISU men's basketball game that Nolan has been in attendance for. 

As for myself, this was the seventh time that I have attended an ISU / TCU basketball game.  The Cyclones have won 6 of those games (today, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2014, and 2013).  

I like how excited Nolan was for this picture!

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAXWELL!!

It's not every day your little dude turns 8!  According to Maxwell, today was (one of) his favorite days ever!  He decided that all of his birthdays are tied for best days ever.  

Anyways, for lunch today Elizabeth brought him a McDonald's happy meal at school.  Then after school today we gave him the option to go out for supper anywhere that he wanted.  I was really hoping that he would pick somewhere else (like last year when we went to Red Lobster for his birthday), but he wanted to go to McDonalds.  Ugh.  The heart wants what the heart wants I guess.  So he had another happy meal for supper.

After supper we all went out to Orange Leaf for some frozen yogurt.  Then we took the kids to Perfect Games for some arcade fun.  One fun moment there happened when Nolan and I were playing on the harpoon fishing game.  The special jellyfish came out, and Nolan shot it on his first attempt!  He won 750 tickets for this!  At basically the same time I shot the big shark, so that was fun.  Nolan had saved up enough tickets that he was able to get a big Spongebob Squarepants plushy.

Maxwell with a big slice of his birthday cake.

Nolan and I celebrating our arcade win.