Even if still (emotionally) hungover from the Vikings loss to Philly, we couldn't not hop on a bus and head downtown to checkout the hoopla surrounding the upcoming big game in our own backyard. It was particularly cold when we went, so we didn't spend much time on Nicollet Mall, and the lines for most of the interactive experience indoors were forever long, but we still were able to experience the monstrosity and participate in a few events.
And then, a few nights later, E, by winning her team's free throw competition, got to represent her Purple Cheetahs at halftime of the girls varsity game (undefeated, #1 ranked), also against Minnetonka. E made her shot in front of a packed house, on a 10' rim, from the FT line (3rd grade rec hoops play on a 9' rim, and aren't even allowed to shoot anything but lay-ups and put-backs). Cold as ice, that E.
Prior to the game, all Wayzata girls youth basketball players grades 2-6 were invited to a clinic but on by the varsity girls and coaching staff. If E can beat out the 200 girls you see here, she may earn a starting spot on the squad one day (smh). E & S (who snuck in with E's jersey from last year) are in the middle of the pack, just behind the circle at mid-court. Former Viking LB Chad Greenway's kid (in yellow) is leading the way.
Saywer and her Great White Sharks Mites team were the intermission entertainment at a recent WHS boys varsity game vs. Minnetonka. Watching the team on the sidelines admire the big kids, and getting the opportunity to be welcome on to the ice under the team's "tunnel" was pretty adorable.
J & T scored four of C.H. Robinson's tickets to the Wild/Lightening game at Xcel and took Linds and I, who, thanks to Sawyer, are slowly becoming hockey fans...
January has been so go, go, go with the girls' various activities (basketball, gymnastics, piano, hockey), but every once in a while we get a moment to play and enjoy the outdoors in our backyard... though, still playing hockey, basketball, et cetera (but at least the dogs can play along!).
Sure, it didn't end pretty. But the 2017-2018 Minnesota Vikings, who were supposed to be 8-8, and who lost their starting QB and rookie sensation RB just a few games into the season, wound up 13-3 and were 3.5 quarters away from playing in their first Super Bowl in over 40 years. And, the team and its fan base had their first (positive) "forever moment" in Case Keenum's walk-off touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs against the New Orleans Saints (while that SOB Sean Payton mocked the Purple's SKOL chat moments before time expired). The "Minneapolis Miracle" was as special a moment you can experience as a fan... and felt like a curse-breaker for the franchise.
