Sunday, September 28th, 2025

 This weekend we had a fun family get-together with the Shostaks.  Logan & Emma did not have school on Friday, so Amy & Brandon were able to leave Omaha earlier than usual, and they were at our place by 4 PM.  That night we all went out to eat at at Wallaby's, and then the adults stayed up late having a few drinks and making "epic stories".

Saturday morning we helped the kids make their own Jack-o-lanterns, which was fun.  Then in the afternoon, Amy & I went tailgating while everyone else went down to Adventureland for a fun-filled day.  For the tailgate, the theme was a taco bar.  I brought a small crock pot with Velveeta & Rotel dip.  It was a nice day to tailgate, as temperatures were in the low 80's.  Kickoff for the game was 6 PM, and it was a "white out", where everyone was encouraged to wear white.

As for the game, I'm happy to say that Iowa State easily defeated Arizona, 39-14.  Coming into the game, Iowa State was something like a 5-point favorite, so I was expecting a close game.  Iowa State was also without their starting kicker, as Kyle Konrardy is injured... so they relied on third-string walk-on Chase Smith for kicking duties.  Smith actually did a good job, as he went 4/4 on extra points, and he even made a 34 yard field goal!  Another player that really stepped up for Iowa State was Chase Sowell, as he had 4 receptions for 146 yards.  

It had been a couple of years since Amy has gone to a football game with me, as the previous game was against TCU in 2023.  This was the first time that I have seen Iowa State play against Arizona, but it was also the first football game between Arizona and ISU as conference opponents.  The previous time these two programs played was back in 1968.  

Here the kids are all carving pumpkins!

GO CYCLONES!

Saturday, September 6th, 2025

 IT'S A CYCLONE STATE!!

Today I took Nolan with me to the CyHawk football game at Jack Trice Stadium, and I'm happy to say that the Cyclones won a hard fought game, 16-13. 

The game was an 11:00 AM kickoff, so we had to get up early to go tailgating.  Dan cooked up some waffles for everyone for the tailgate.  Nolan, Bash, and I all had fun playing catch with the football.  

As for the game, Kyle Konrardy came up clutch, as he made a 54-yard field goal with 1:52 left in the 4th quarter to give Iowa State the lead for good.  Benjamin Brahmer had the only touchdown for the Cyclones today, which was a 2-yard pass reception from Rocco Becht. 

This was the 8th football game that I have attended between Iowa State and Iowa, and it was only the 3rd win for the Cyclones (today, 2007, and 2005).  The Hawkeyes won in 2023, 2021, 2019, 2013, and 2009.  This was the first time that Nolan has been to a CyHawk football game.  He did see the Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes in basketball, back in 2023. 

Saturday, August 30th, 2025

Today Maxwell and I had a fun day filled with tailgating and Iowa State's 2025 home-opening football game against the South Dakota Coyotes.  The 22nd ranked Cyclones went on to dominate the football game, winning by a score of 55-7. Rocco Becht threw 3 touchdown passes, and Kyle Konrardy kicked a record breaking 63 yard field goal!  The 63-yarder set a new record for Iowa State and for Jack Trice Stadium.  When they were lining up for the field goal attempt at the end of the first half I couldn't believe it... but he actually had plenty of leg!  

Today's football game is the 10th that I have taken Maxwell to.  The previous football game he attended was last year vs Baylor.

This year our tailgate spot is over in the RV lot, as Ryan Butler bought an RV.  It's a really nice area which has power hook-ups.  It was also fun to walk over the bridge on the way into the stadium.

While Maxwell and I had fun at the football game, Elizabeth and Nolan are probably having even more fun... as they are down in Orlando for the weekend to see Halloween Horror Nights!

GO CYCLONES!

Maxwell enjoying a hot dog at our tailgate.

Sunday, August 10th, 2025

 Today I drove back to Ames after having a fun weekend down in St. Louis with Nolan and Eben.  I took a half day off on Friday, and we left Ames a little after noon.  We enjoyed a nice supper down at Sugarfire in Wentzville.  Nolan and I split a combo plate that came with two meats and two sides.  We chose brisket and ribs for out meats along with baked beans and mac & cheese for our sides.  Dad ordered a 1/2 rack of ribs meal, with green beans and fries.  After supper we checked into our hotel (Home2 suites by Hilton) in downtown St. Louis and just relaxed the rest of the evening.

Saturday was a busy day.  After having breakfast at the hotel, we walked over to the City Museum.  Nolan loved this place.  We probably spent a good 4 hours there.  It has all kinds of tunnels and fun spaces for kids to crawl around and explore.  We also went to the "pinball hall", where we were able to play a bunch of pinball machines and old arcade games (Mrs. Pac-man, Galaga, etc).  The City Museum was probably Nolan's favorite part of the trip.  After that, we relaxed in the hotel for about an hour before heading over to the Gateway Arch.  After taking some fun pictures of it, we did stop down at the museum underneath the arch.  Nolan was not very impressed with the arch.  He said something like "It's just a big curved line".  We did not take the ride up to the top of the arch.

Finally, we walked from the Gateway Arch over to Busch Stadium, where we watched the Cardinals play against their rival, the Chicago Cubs.  I was rooting for the Cubs, dad was rooting for the Cardinals, and Nolan was indifferent but kind of rooting for the Cubs (even though I had him wear a Cardinals shirt).  Anyways, the Cubs dominated the game from the start, and they went on to win by a score of 9-1.  Michael Busch hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, while Matt Shaw added a solo home run and an RBI triple.  Colin Rea earned the win after pitching 6 innings and allowing only 1 run.  

I believe this was the 10th regular season MLB game that I have attended. The previous games were:

• 6/22/2023 - Minnesota 6 vs Boston 0.
• 6/22/2019 - Minnesota 5 @ Kansas City 3 (10 innings).
• 6/21/2015 - Chicago Cubs 8 @ Minnesota 0.
• 7/7/2014 - Seattle 2 vs Minnesota 0.
• 6/9/2012 - Minnesota 11 vs Chicago Cubs 3.
• 5/29/2011 - Chicago Cubs 3 vs Pittsburgh 2.
• 7/4/2010 - Cincinnati 14 @ Chicago Cubs 3.
• 7/25/2006 - Minnesota 3 @ Chicago White Sox 2.
• 8/7/2005 - Boston 11 @ Minnesota 7.

This was the third different MLB stadium that I have taken dad and Nolan to (Minnesota and Kansas City were the others).  I've also purchased Nolan a souvenir baseball at each of the stadiums for him to collect.  I did ask Maxwell about a dozen times if he would want to come with us for the trip down to St. Louis, but he was adamant that he did not want to come.  

Nolan and dad at the City Museum

Nolan at the Gateway Arch

Nolan and myself by our seats at the game.  We sat in section 167, row 18, seats 1 through 3.

We enjoyed hot dogs at the game, because I feel like you almost have to eat a hot dog when you are at the ballpark. 

   

Sunday, June 22nd, 2025

 This weekend I took Nolan and Maxwell up to Eben's farm for a little family fun.  Saturday morning we drove up to Ruthven to visit grandma Natalie at the care center.  She has gotten a lot weaker since her recent stroke, and it is a challenge for her to stand up and transfer to her wheelchair.  We visited with her outside, and I think that she enjoyed getting some fresh air.

Saturday afternoon we had a little race around dad's farm.  Nolan was driving the go-kart, I was driving the lawn mower, and Eben and Maxwell were in the ranger utility vehicle.  It seemed like we were playing Mario kart.  Nolan's go-kart was definitely faster than my lawnmower, but at least I could turn shorter...

After our driving session, we had some fun with water guns, water balloons, and a 3-person water balloon launcher.  It was a hot day in the 90's, so the water felt nice.  We were launching the water balloons at some bulls that dad had in the pasture just east of the house, and we managed to hit them a couple of times.

For supper on Saturday I decided to treat the kids to something that they have never had before... prime rib!  We went up to the Prime Rib in Spencer, and I ordered the kids each a 10-ounce prime rib.  Dad had a prime rib Philly cheesesteak sandwich, and I just ordered the salad bar.  I figured that I would help eat whatever the kids did not finish.  Well, Maxwell was able to eat his entire steak, and Nolan ate about half of his.  I had the kids rate their meal on a 0-10 scale.  Maxwell said it was a 7/10, and Nolan gave it a 7.8/10.  One thing that I think they did not enjoy as much about it was having to cut the meat away from the fat.  Also, Nolan still insists that steak is better with ketchup.  

Maxwell and Nolan with grandma Natalie.

Maxwell about to try prime rib for the first time!

Nolan with his prime rib!

Sunday, May 4th, 2025

 This weekend I took Nolan up to Yellow River for our annual camping and trout fishing trip.  We met up with Jon & Matt Seago, along with Tyler and a couple of his friends (Keith and Joe).  We stayed at campsite #115.  

On Friday I picked up Nolan an hour early from school.  By the time we arrived at the campground, we were able to set up camp and still had some daylight to try our luck fishing.  We tried the handicap area where we had success last year, and I did manage to catch one trout worth keeping.  That night it was cloudy, so we couldn't see the stars, but it was otherwise nice weather and no rain.  We had a nice campfire and made smores.  I decided that Nutella is the best thing to use with smores.

Saturday morning Nolan and I tried the fishing hole close to camp, but we did not even have a nibble.  Then we went back to the handicap area, where I caught and released one small trout.  At this point Nolan was getting frustrated, since I was catching fish and he was not.  But like most years, that was about to change.  We met up with Jon at the camp, and he drove us over to Wexford, which is a church and cemetery that is north of Harper's Ferry on highway X52.  There is a bridge right by the cemetery, and beside it there is a nice fishing hole.  There Nolan was able to catch two fairly large rainbow trout, and Jon caught one nice rainbow trout as well.  Later that day we did try fishing at Waterton, but we had no luck there.

That night we did have nice clear skies to see the stars, and we had a nice campfire.  I brought some fire color changing packets, which we used to make the campfire colorful.  Overall, it was a fun trip camping and fishing, but I am feeling pretty worn out now, and I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.

I believe this is the 5th time that Nolan has been up to Yellow River with me.  Here are some of the previous times that I have blogged about Yellow river: 2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2013, and 2012. 

Nolan with the Harper's Ferry sign.

Nolan with one of the rainbow trout he caught at Wexford.

Sunday, April 20th, 2025

EASTER 2025

This weekend we headed up to my dad's farm... although Easter was not the main reason.  You see, my grandma Natalie was having a 95th birthday party!  So, it was a good chance to see a lot of family that we don't see very often.  Amy, Brandon, Logan, and Emma all stayed at dad's place with us.  Quite a few of my cousins were there, including Sierra, David, Mark, and Kent, along with all of their significant others / families.  There were also my aunts & uncles: Chris & Marcia, Rick & Marilyn, LaVonne & Gary, Susan & Chris, and Aaron & Dianne.  It was nice to have so many family members around to help grandma celebrate her big day (although her actual birthday was on the 17th).

Grandma's birthday party was between 1:00 and 3:00 on Saturday at the Lutheran church in Ruthven.  A lot of us were there mid-morning to help set up and take family pictures. Then all of the kids had an Easter egg hunt in the church.  After her birthday party, Amy's and my families came back to Eben's farm, where the kids got to ride around on the go-kart.  Then that evening we went over to Chris & Marcia's place to hang out with family.  

Nolan, Elizabeth, Grandma Natalie, Maxwell, and myself.

Logan, Amy, Grandma Natalie, Brandon, Eben, and Emma.

Emma and Nolan having fun on the go-kart.