Jr. Blackshirts

Samantha & Alden went to the Jr. Blackshirt day care during the Husker football game on September 11th. Samantha has always loved going to Jr. Blackshirts, but Alden was a little tentative about going. It turns out that Alden didn't enjoy it as much as Samantha and cried most of the 4 hours he was there. Alden did good enough that they never called Doug or I to come get him, however, you could tell he was very excited to see us when we picked him up after the game! He did have fun playing in Cook Pavilion (where the football team used to practice indoors before they built their new practice facility). He doesn't plan to go back anytime soon! Samantha, however, would like to go back every game!

Husker Home Opener

We are back updating the blog again. It's been a crazy few weeks! So, stay tuned for more....

Labor Day weekend was the Husker's first game and we were all decked out in RED! The kids stayed home with a babysitter - well 2 babysitters - they are twins - Laura & Anna and the kids love them! Alden even did okay with them! He is usually a mommy's boy and cries a lot, but did really good! Doug & I had a fun time at the game and it should be a great year! GO HUSKERS! Doug & I have taught the kids the UNL Band Song and they now pretend that they are in marching band and marching around with pretend trumpets and sing the band song! It's too cute!

Morrill Hall and UNL Campus

After Samantha's last soccer game, we drove to Lincoln to Morrill Hall. The kids loved it the first time with Doug and BEGGED to go back. Since it is free because Doug is faculty at UNL, we decided to make an afternoon of it. :) Clair & I even went in with them this time. We saw the WHOLE museum this time and they kids were still fascinated with it. After the museum, we walked around UNL's Campus and saw the Football statue outside of Memorial Stadium. About 6 months ago, both Alden & Samantha were afraid of the statue, but this time they thought it was pretty cool to get see it. Then we walked toward the union and saw the fountain and the alphabet sculpture and a few others. We met Uncle Chris for an early supper at Applebees before heading home.

Clair's A Husker

Clair made her first appearance at a Husker sporting event. It was the OU vs NU basketball game. Clair Loved every minute of it. Only got up set a time or two. She tried to share Doug's pizza. Clair was joined at the game by Her parents, Papa McKnight, and Joel and Beth. The husker men are undefeated when Clair is in attendance. If only she could make it to more games.

Husker Basketball with Santa Herbie

After the Symphony Samantha, Alden, Papa McKnight and I (Doug) went to Lincoln to watch our Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Jackson State tigers. The game was not the main attraction it was santa and Herbie. Samantha brought her letter to Santa. Alden would not even let me set him down out of fear of Santa as he was screaming one elf(a cheerleader) asked Alden if she could hold him and he practically jumped into her arms. After Sam placed her "order" with st. nick. we went to our seats and papa had supper waiting for us. Alden loved the band and every time they stopped playing he yelled "Band on Band turn on!" Sam did very good and only asked how much longer after the star spangled banner. The half time entertainment was a family of 14 that travels and spins basketballs. They ride unicycles and juggle stuff too. Sam and Alden loved it! The whole family got in the act. Then we hit the road and they were out once we got on I80

Clair's First Husker Game Day!! (Nebraska @ Mizzou)

The kids got dressed up for the Huskers' road game against Mizzou last Thursday night. They only got to stay up until about half time, but they still yelled "Go Big Red" alot.

Husker Opener

Saturday, September 5th - GAME DAY! After nearly 9 months of waiting for Husker football, the day finally arrived. Samantha & Alden got new Husker gear after outgrowing last year's models. Samantha was very proud of her Husker Cheerleading Jumper and Alden showed off his Husker Football Jersey in the same manner. I searched for many days to find a Husker maternity shirt or even just red - but resorted to wearing my old "Future Husker" shirt that Doug had made me when I was pregnant with Samantha. Doug opted to wear his "old school" University of Nebraska shirt instead of getting a new football shirt this year. Once we were all outfitted in out Husker gear, we drove to Nebraska City to drop Alden off at my parent's cabinet shop. My dad got Alden a red balloon to entertain him while we were gone, he also got to ride lot of coin-0operated rides in the mall. :) We took Samantha with us back to Plattsmouth, where we caught a ride from Doug's dad, Aunt Jodi & friend Nancy to Lincoln. Samantha went to the Jr. Blackshirts (daycare program at the campus rec center while the parents are at the football game). She had talked for almost a year about going back to Jr. Blackshirts again - so we gave in and signed her up. I was tickled to get to go to the game because I usually don't get to go to Husker football games when I'm pregnant. (When I was pregnant with Samantha I almost passed out from heat exhaustion and claustrophobia during a game and we had to leave in the 1st quarter!) Because I had been working out so hard during this pregnancy and due to the forecasted high temperature of 79 degrees - Doug allowed me to go. Climbing the 81 stairs to our seats was not the most delightful being 8+ months pregnant, but I made it. And, I only went down 1 time to use the restroom - a huge accomplishment! The game was a lot of fun, even though I was very sore the next morning (actually I still am sore now - 3 days later). Samantha had a great time with the other kids at Jr. Blackshirts and Alden had a wonderful time with my parents.

Touring UNL Campus

Last Tuesday, I took the kids to Lincoln to show my brother, Chris, around Campus. We went to Lunch with Doug and then afterward, I showed Chris where all his classes would be at. We also got his parking pass (which was way across campus) and his books. It was a VERY hot day, but the kids did great! Alden didn't want his picture taken that day, but Samantha was all about posing for every picture! We took pictures in front of the statue in front of Westbrook Music Building because Doug & I spent a lot of time in that building for our marching band days. We also saw the "letter" sculpture in which at some point during the day, it shows every letter of the alphabet with its shadow. Samantha thought that was pretty cool, and decided to make a "Y" with her hands to show she could do it too. Then, we walked to the stadium and I tried to get Alden's picture, be he was actually scared of the black statues of football players and cried. As we were walking away, he realized there was a "bootball" (aka - football) with the statues and wanted to go back, but it was WAY to hot! :) After the stadium, we walked to Parking Services to get Chris a parking pass and then all the way back to the union for books. We were all exhausted after our walk around campus! :)

Gator Bowl

We went to Nebraska City to watch the Gator Bowl with my parents on New Year's Day. My aunt Lisa, Aunt Sue, Uncle Jim, and Cousins Kayla & Traci were all there to watch the game too. We had lots of good food and when the game wasn't entertaining enough, we always had the kids to watch. Alden played with his little Husker football. He would squat down and it almost looked like he was getting ready to run with it. :) Samantha was good at being a cheerleader and when she stood by the TV, it almost looked like she was at the game standing next to Bo. Samantha & papa also played with papa's race track and cars. Everyone enjoyed putting my old Cabbage Patch Doll's underwear on Alden's head. He seemed to really enjoy it....I think he was pretending it was a bandana? :) We were all just glad the Huskers won!!

Nebraska Basketball

Doug & I took the kids to the Nebraska Basketball game on December 30th. They were both pretty good considering they are only 3 and 1 years old. We got a hot dog and Alden pretty much ate all of it. Then, Samantha got some popcorn and that seemed to keep her occupied for most of the game. Alden had his share of popcorn, too! The basketballs kept Alden saying "Ball" "Ball" "Baaaaallllllllll" most of the game. We thought that Lil' Red would have been at the game, but he was in Florida for the Gator Bowl already, so the Runza Dino kept Alden's attention for quite awhile as well. We stayed for a little over 1/2 the game and then left because it was close to bed time. The Huskers ended up winning by double digits. The kids were so squirmy that we didn't get very good pictures.