Hail, Hail

Some of the gang was all here - in Ames for the ISU vs. Kansas State game. While our beloved Cyclones weren't victorious over #5 KSU (despite some great opportunities), a good time was had, as usual when we get together with these oldie but goodie friends.

First of all, a real Cyclone was forecast weather-wise, at least earlier in the week. I think those weather forecasters are just bored and were excited to get Iowans jacked up about rain and wind. It did end up raining, but the weather gods smiled down as it only misted a bit at the beginning of the game and the sun even tried to pop out a couple times. The wind they forecast didn't really even amount to much.

Pablo and I got up early - to much-needed rain in Crestonia. We headed north, arriving just before 8 a.m. Diana and I jumped into cooked eggs and heating up sausage for breakfast burritos. Moose and Kay arrived first - they came in from Chicago, but drove over to Cedar Rapids the night before. Mike and Paula Huston arrived from the LaCrosse area next, with Behrs arriving from Northfield (Kelli and Toby from Mpls) right before game time - 11 a.m.

McKims were nice enough to give us their two tickets so Mike and Paula could attend the game - the others had tickets to sit on the grass (which despite the rain, was not soaking wet). So we got to catch up with the Hustons during the first half. Mike was the Best Man at our wedding and he and Paul will go pheasant hunting in SoDak soon.

It was so cute when we arrived later than usual at the game - the guy that sits right by us (I regret I don't know his name...) said, "where have you been? I've been worried about you!" Ahhh we're missed.

Vic - first buddy I met my frosh year!

At halftime, I headed down to sit with the gang. No, I couldn't see the game too well - but that was okay. It was fun chatting. It was Freddie B's Birthday! At one point, Kelli Behr (Vic's daughter, Amy's age who brought her fiance Toby - we finally got to meet him, and yes, he passed the test) said, "Just look at this - how great, how you all have stuck together - college friends." It's true! We are the lucky ones.

One thing that helped is that Mike Huston invited us to camp at his family's farm at Ridgeland, Wisconsin to go tubing on the Apple River. So we took him up on it...for 15 years. Through those years, we got married, became young parents, and bonded for life. Our kids grew up like cousins. So even though we eventually got busy with school activities and didn't see each other quite as often, Amy and Kelli have a "thing" like her mom and I. They can pick up right where they left off, whether it was a month since they talked, or six. And now Amy has the honor of being a bridesmaid in Kelli's wedding next June.

Kel and Amy

The Wilt girls, Jaime and Alyssa are like littler cousins to the Behr girls. They went on vacation together. Our kids don't know them quite as well...but Amy did stay at their place in Chicago once. And Jud...he's a guy so he didn't try as much to bond, you know how that goes.

After the game, Mary Morman and her husband Cary came up to hang out with us. She was Kay's roomie in college. I have hung out with her in DSM. I was sorry Vic and my roomie Jane (lives in Waukee) couldn't make it. And Sal - who lives in Oregon.

But I think it's pretty cool. Aren't friendships grand?

Shout out to my Baby Girl on her Day 'O Birth. Hard to believe it was 27 years ago that she popped out (was pulled out with forceps) but then again seems like she's always been with us. We couldn't ask for a finer daughter.

Love you Amy! And so glad to Jud and Kara were able to be with you on your day.