Gameday Baby!

It was the perfect setup. Amy picked up a cheap plane ticket home for Labor Day weekend. Kara and Jud planned to come. It was ISU's home opener football game. The weather looked to be perfect. Ummm the Cyclones were 1 point underdogs to Tulsa, but we had faith in Coach Rhoads and team...

We met at McKims with Dee, Don and Jeff Thursday night for some pre-tailgate planning (I was late...I had to talk God with my book club homegirls- we read the book "The Shack"). We settled on burgers and brats, and I decided to do a batch of cheesy potatoes, Dee had various other assignments as usual. We also planned for plenty of beverages. Donnie likes to feed the girls delicious shots. Like chocolate milk and white cake vodka.

Paul headed to the DSM airport Friday afternoon while I worked on snack mix, waiting for Jud and Kara to arrive from KC/St Joe. They played Wii Just Dance (Jud can dance without a beer in his hand!) while we waiting for Amy and Paul to get home. Then we grilled and enjoyed a meal together. Love to get my kids home! It was an early night since we planned to get up early Saturday. (Except for Amy - she met Stormy Lee at the Lobby and paid the price cuz she was tired).

When we pulled into Ames and neared the stadium, I got goosebumps! I love it! Our new parking spot is just across from RV parking - perfect. We unloaded and Paul whipped up the first Bloody Marys of the year. Paul and Jud helped Don put up the tent and the awning. We helped Diana get set up for the crowd. Then I dragged the Goldsmith fam to the Alumni Building for a fam photo. You know me...ever the Frannie Liebowitz.

Amy wasn't really into the #1 thing...

Still fans after 30 years of marriage...

Kara and Jud

 

Jeff, Dwight, Paul

Yesterday we had a great tailgating crowd - our neighbors Todd and Beth Nielson, plus Sherry Walters brought a big group of kids. Don's folks Margaret and Fred came, Katie McKim (with adorable puppy) was there. Conovers stopped by. Son Phil Conover was there as well. Amy's former roomies the fab Jenna and Rachelle were there, plus a couple of Jud and Kara's friends. Paul and Jeff were the chefs (they had a lil meltdown with the grill at the end...fortunately the '91 Pace Arrow RV did not burn to the ground).

Fred and Margaret "the Enabler" McKim

A great singer from NW Iowa - Damon Dotson was "in the house" (parking lot) so we made our way to C4 to have a listen on our way to the spirit walk. That's when the bus pulls up and the team - at least the captains and the senior and coaches walk past a gauntlet of fans.

Cy plus CPR (Coach Paul Rhoads)

Way to put your hand up right when I snap the pic Coach Ryan McKim!

We still had some time for more tailgating before we headed into the stadium.

High School kids - the legacy we hope!

Don and Paul start the season right

Donnie made shots for the girls

Our gal Susan stopped by - her first ISU game in years!

And so it begins again!

 

 We feel like winners, surrounded by family and good friends hanging out, enjoying beverages and food. ISU started out the season with a win over Tulsa - next up the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City. Always a challenge. Go Cyclones!