Lady Gophers

The Kiesers invited us to join them to see the undefeated Lady Gophers whoop some Badger booty at the Barn over the break.  Fun night, guys!

Ice Angel

My little angel...

Winter sports?

Only in MN can you drive heavy machinery on a frozen pond and play hoops outdoors in a tank top on the same day!

Mighty Mite

Wayzata's first Advanced Mite inter-city scrimmage (against Chaska).  Sawyer (#5, navy helmet, blue sticker on forehead) scored two goals and set what had to be a record for the most times knocked to/diving on the floor/ice.

Vikes/Dolphins

The Misty Run crew saw the Vikes trounce the Dophins, and set an NFL record for sacks in a half (eight, all on 3rd or 4th downs).  This season doesn't appear to have that magical feel of those on the Super Bowl path of the past ('98, '09, '17), but they are gelling in the 4th quarter of the season, when it matters most...

Happy 42nd!

The 21st birthday of my 21st birthday.  Feeling so old, I had to post this one in black & white.  Thank goodness these two keep me young!

Grand View Lodge

This year's escape to GVL coincided with the biggest snowfall of the year, as the Brainerd area accumulated 13 inches of the white, fluffy stuff over the 48 hours we were there.  The fresh snow made for some pretty great skiing Thursday morning at Ski Gull and very scenic views on the commute home.

Zorbaz, Big Axe and the Chocolate Ox did not disappoint, as always.  And, while our pull tab streak of big winners ended this year, Sawyer won $70 at Thursday night's resort-wide BINGO game.  New activity-wise, we added laser tag and ice fishing to the mix (briefly) this time around.

My favorite moments of the trip were playing 1:1 pool basketball against E, who legitimately schooled me (after instituting the Lew Alcindor Rule, no dunking), an epic snowball fight between S & I (which ended after she landed a fastball squarely on my nose as I looked up from "reloading"), and the Bix Axe sampler flight, where I fell in love with a spectacular Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout (or maybe it was just that I haven't had a beer in months!).

'Til next year!

Our Xmas

With a jam-packed holiday break, there was only a tiny window of time for Santa to find us home... but thank goodness, he did.  E scored big with a voice-changing karaoke machine, and S got the Nintendo Switch she'd been begging for!  Linds and I received some new Wayzata gear, as we're spending more and more time as fans in the those stands. 

Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays from our family to yours...

Xmas with Nana

With our big basement project finally complete, Linds and I hosted our first extended family Christmas this year, and it worked out beautifully.  Mother Nature cooperated too, so we were able to spill our activities outside and enjoyed a few hours of skating time on our pond as well.

Wayzata Wolves

S has been waiting what seems like FOREVER to play organized basketball.  And, after two years of occasionally practicing (and even playing in games when shorthanded) with her big sis', she was more than ready for 2nd grade hoops... so we signed her up for the 3rd grade league.

Sawyer's a defensive menace, anticipating passes and sniping the dribble from PGs as they cross the half court line.  She's a good rebounder for her size too!  She comes out of games sweaty and gassed.  It's so fun to see her tenacity and hustle.  On offense, she works her crossover and spin move to get buckets.  Re: passing... let's just say the Wayzata Wolves definitely are not leading the league in assists.

Wolves/Rockets

The post-Butler Wolves look like they may finally have the chemistry, intensity and heart of a team that could do some damage in the West, and proved as much in knocking off Chris Paul and James Harden's Rockets 103-91, in the team's biggest comeback in several years (down 19 in the first half).

Oh, and I buried the lede... the one and only Coolio performed at halftime.  Slide, slide, slippety slide...

Apple Valley Xmas

Ashley and her bf Matt caught an early flight to MSP for Christmas this year, so Santa came WAY early this year... which was way OK in the girls' books.  I think the pogo sticks were the "winning" gifts this year, followed closely by the Love Your Melon hat (E) and Beyblades (S).

Thanks Bob & Linda for the fun night, and Matt & Ash for getting on you knees and entertaining the kids.  They had a blast!

Foxborough, MA

The Men of Misty Run headed to New England for this year's Vikings road trip to see the GOAT (TB12) one last time before he walks away from the game.  Minus Thielen buzzer-beater TD at the end of the first half, the Pats sucked the life out of the Vikes and won easily (24-10).  The guys had a blast touring Boston's Irish Bars, or so I hear (I was couped up ill in the hotel room all weekend, aside from game day, for which I stepped up and "played hurt").

Thanks to DJ for the ticket connection, tailgate and chauffeur duties!  Great to see you and the fam, buddy!

These guys....

FHS forever

After watching our alma mater advance to the State title game, Jay, Brett and I had a few beers and even more heated battles of pong at Hop21 downtown Minneapolis.  

Thanksgiving

A busy Thanksgiving weekend this year, and only one picture to show for it.  Among many things, I'm thankful for these adorably goofy cousins (including Colty, not pictured).

Wayzata 4B Travel Hoops

E's four tournaments deep into her 4th grade travel season, and their 4/4 coming home with hardware (two silvers, two bronzes) and are hungry for a 1st place finish in the back half of the season.  She's running with nearly the same squad as last year (same coaching staff too), but now with official offenses installed, and a more open rule book (e.g. pressing is allowed, and there's no forgiveness for a dragged pivot foot or minor carry, etc.).  E's specialty is popping balls loose and anticipating passes when on defense.  She's also the team's best bounce passer (as the "rainbow pass" is her coach's/dad's pet peeve).

Goalie

Sawyer laced the skates up again this winter for another season, and is again loving every minute of it... especially when she's in the net!

(They don't make more complicated, more difficult to get on/off, or stinkier equipment in all of sports, BTW!)