New Year's in Minnesota

So much for the New Year's resolution to be more diligent in blog posting, huh? We had a fun trip to Minnesota to bring in the New Year. New Year's Eve included a night out with Ann/Derrick and Cindy/Kevin. We had a great supper at the Royal Loon in Slayton and brought in the New Year celebrating at Key Largo (also, happens to be the site of a "first" date for Mike and me six years ago...ahhh, the reminiscing).




On a cold, blustery day, we got a chance to cheer on Derrick's basketball team. He coaches the varsity boys' basketball team at WWG (Westbrook-Walnut Grove). They played a small charter school and came out on top...a mere 80 points on top. Don't believe me? I've posted a picture to prove it!

Almost made the Christmas card...

Here are a couple other favorite pics that almost made our 2008 Christmas card!

New Coffee Table

Last weekend was a unique one in that we had no plans, no committments, no company and no home Husker game. We could hardly stand to be in the house for very long (it will be a long winter), so Saturday afternoon led to an impromptu shopping trip to Omaha. We had been passively looking at new coffee/end tables at furniture stores in the past few months. Previously, we had a quite large, glass coffee/end table. Whereas we've enjoyed it for the past 5 years (Mike married into it), I was tired of investing in Windex to keep it clean and it was taking up more space that we were willing to give. So, drum roll please, we purchased a new coffee/end table, which has certainly added a new look to our living room. As an interesting accent, we also came home with a unique accessory for the coffee table. Pictures attached.

Yabba Dabba Do!

Happy Halloween! One would think we've been scared off the blogspot the past two months. To those who actually check in on us, we promise to be better. During September and October, we spent more nights away from home than at home (for work and for fun). Work took me to Kansas City for a few days in September and Mike had back-to-back trips to St. Louis and Dallas in October. We've made it to nearly every Husker home game (with the exception of the first - we were in Branson) and managed to squeeze in a weekend trip to the exciting city of Ames, Iowa, to witness a 35-7 victory (yes, I do pay attention to the score, not just the band and cheerleaders). Over Labor Day weekend, we enjoyed a wonderful vacation with Mike's family to celebrate Howard & Donna's 40th wedding anniversary in Branson.

The following weekend, I took a trip to Minnesota to take part in Hadley's baptism.

In mid-September (a bye weekend for the Huskers, of course), we took advantage of some frequent flier miles and flew to Denver. We were able to see family, Fran and Nancy Lefler, and our good friends, Steve, Kathy, Drake and Darian Bytnar. We cheered on the CSU Rams and the Denver Broncos to wins that weekend.

We enjoyed having visitors when Ann, Derrick, Addeson, Hadley, Mom & Dad traveled from Minnesota to spend a weekend with us. We had great fun checking out the Omaha zoo.



Last weekend, we went to a costume Halloween party, posing as Fred Flintstone and Betty Rubble. Our trick-or-treaters were up in numbers this year - 47 of them (up from 24 last year)! Unfortunately, Evan wasn't feeling well, so we missed seeing his pumpkin outfit. We heard Hadley was planning to sport a pumpkin outfit of her own to go trick-or-treating with her big sister, Princess Addeson. Happy Halloween Birthday to my Mom today!!!

Husker Power

Yesterday, we were lucky enough to have tickets to BOTH volleyball and football games. Our seats in each venue were really good! We arrived to volleyball (my favorite of the day) in time to see 40 minutes of warm-ups. Upon finding our seats, I was quickly scolded by the lady sitting next to us (who went out of her way to mention she's been a season ticket holder for 15 years) that flash photography is not allowed as it could cause injury to a player. Yikes! What was I thinking!? We were far enough away that I don't believe I was putting anyone's life at risk, especially during warm-ups. I assured her our camera has an option to turn off the flash. Had to show it to her to prove it. Interesting, no announcement was ever made to let such a rule be known to the rest of the 2,700 people in attendence. I think she felt bad for being so cranky and tried to make "small talk" with Mike throughout the rest of the match!

The football game was equally as exciting (as least for Mike). We had a easy walk from the Colliseum to Memorial Stadium and watched 70 minutes of pre-game activities. There was not much of a breeze and our seating area was full of small looking wasp insects. They didn't seem harmful enough to sting, but they sure were a nuisance. There were a little old lady who sat down one row and to our right. One of these little bugs hovered in her hair - stayed there the entire game. I think he was trapped by hair spray. Not likely he'll be discovered until she goes in for her next beauty salon appointment next week.

In the first few minutes of the game, one of the "Scarlets" (dance team...pseudo cheerleaders) was feeling light-headed and caused quite a scene as an EMT tended to her. Gatorade did the trick and she was back in action by the next quarter. I think a cheeseburger would have proven a better remedy as she likely hadn't eaten since last Tuesday.

In the second half, Clarence Thomas was recognized on the field. Probably the closest I'll ever get to a Supreme Court judge. (I guess his wife is from Nebraska.)
Larry the Cable Guy was in attendence and kept the crowd fed as he threw out hot dogs from his suite!

Unfortunately, every fan in our row decided to come to the game. Unfortunate, because, not everyone fit the dimension of their alloted seat assignment. Got to be good friends with the guy sitting next to me. I've determined Nebraskan's are known to be the "greatest fans in America" because you might as well get along with the guy you're sitting on top of week by week!

Mike finds it interesting the things I remember about the game. I had to ask him what the score was before I could post it here. The Huskers were victorious, 38-7. GO BIG RED!!!!

Recent trip to Minnesota

We had such a fun time visiting everyone in Minnesota last weekend! On Friday night, we were able to meet our new niece, Hadley. She is every bit as cute as the pictures of her! Saturday was a great day in Lucan as we were able to spend time with my parents, Grandma Sally, Great Aunt Dolores, the Jenniges and the Webbs. Sunday included a trip to Minneapolis where we took in 6 innings of the Twins game. Then, we headed to Farmington to visit the Petsinger cousins and to help Logan celebrate his first birthday! From there, we drove to Chaska to watch Derrick play baseball in the state tournament. Although they didn't win, it was fun watching him pitch! We jumped in the car for the 2 hour drive home and pulled in the driveway at 1:05am. What a day! Ahhhh, needless-to-say, Mike and I were sound asleep before 10:00pm on Monday night before our work week officially started.

August Already?

The summer has been flying by! Here's a summary of our past week...
Sunday afternoon we went to see the movie Swing Vote in it's opening weekend. Although it's true that Kevin Costner never disappoints, this is probably one to wait to rent for those of you with interest in seeing it. A cute movie, but perhaps a bit predictable.
Monday evening we took in a Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game at Haymarket Park with some of the American Cancer Society staff. The shade from sitting in a suite sure helped keep us cool in spite of a near 100 degree day (still in the 90's that night). We witnessed 13 runs in an exciting second inning (9 of which were Saltdog runs). The Saltdogs beat the Wichita Wingnuts, 11-6.
Thursday started shortly after 5:00am for Mike as he headed to an early morning colon cancer research task force meeting in Omaha and his day ended in the press box at Memorial Stadium for a "Stay in the Game" event to kick-off a colon cancer awareness campaign with the Husker Sports Network.
Friday night we headed to Lincoln's annual Ribfest event in downtown Lincoln. We beat the crowd by arriving before 6:00pm. We chose to eat BBQ ribs/brisket/pork from an "Ausome Aussie" Australian-themed vendor. Mike managed to keep his shirt BBQ-free! (Unfortunately, he did not fare as with the ice cream he had on the way home.)