Metrodome - Last Game

Yesterday was the last game in the history of the Metrodome (32 years old), it will be deconstructed starting in a few weeks and a new stadium will be built on the same site.  Here it is on the way out...

Craig and I have spent a lot of time (and probably too much money) walking up section 217...

The last time the Vikings came on the field at the Metrodome....

It was probably the largest attendance of the year yesterday, apparently a lot of people wanted to see the last game...

We had to take a picture showing that we were there (at least Craig was there)..

We probably spent about 10 years sitting next to SLP -- that's the blond in the picture below.  We called her SLP because she was from St. Louis Park and we always forgot her name (I think it was Nicole).  For a while there, SLP brought a different guy to every game, but lately she seems to have settled on the guy next to her --- good for her.

Probably gonna miss the old troughs at the Metrodome.  Definitely going to miss all the times when Craig would go down to take a leak, when he'd come back I'd ask 'how'd it go?'  He'd answer - 'didn't go, got the fright.'  That was always funny.

Just to the east of the Metrodome, they've already started digging the hole for the foundation of the new building....they don't waste a lot of time.

They were pretty hardcore about security yesterday.  All the people in yellow are from a private security company, you also might notice the Minneapolis PD in blue.  They did not want a repeat from the last game of the Met Stadium in Bloomington -- fans stormed the field after the game and ripped anything off the stadium, ground, goalposts that they could.

If you've ever been to the Metrodome, you might remember the air pressure pushing you out of the stadium.  They haven't opened these doors for a while, but they did yesterday.  One last time, here is the air pressure forcing people out of the stadium.

Kiwanis Holiday Lights - Mankato

On Thursday evening, Sarah and I took the kids to Sibley Park in Mankato for the Kiwanis Holiday Lights.  The lights are turned on from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and is open through December 31st.  If you can make it, we would recommend you go see the lights.

There are thousands of lights, some are set to music, others are static.  You can drive around the one-way street or get out and walk (it was around 30 degrees the night we went, so we walked), there is a skating rink and concessions.  All for free --- they do ask for food shelf items or a small donation.

Who can pass up a sign where you can stick your head through and see a silly image?

They have cartoon cutouts.....this particular one was a hit with one of the kids, can you guess which one?

There are snowmen....

Tunnels of lights...

You can even ride the 'Christmas bus'...

Lots and lots of lights...

Hope you had a good holiday season...

Christmas 2013

Everything started Tuesday night, Christmas Eve - the boys were reminded that they would be able to track Santa Claus throughout his journey by a post from their uncle, David Clemens.  Well, for the 45 minutes remaining before church, both boys never really left the computer so they could watch Santa (keep in mind, he was supposedly in Africa at the time).

Christmas morning was the time for presents at the house.  The one who really got aggressive with the presents was Lex.  It was always....'where's my present'....'can I open that present'....etc.

An example of Lex searching for a present of her own....

Good thing that she got enough Dora stuff to tide her over.....she likes that Dora!  That shirt she is wearing is also a new Dora shirt.

One gift that was really enjoyed (and will probably get a ton of use in the future) was a Nook.  For all of you 'old school' types who pick up books and read them....well, you don't have to do that anymore. You digitally download the books and read them on the Nook.  When you don't have anymore space for books, the Nook is a space-saver.

Luke's Christmas wouldn't be complete without Dinosaurs --- we actually went to the movie 'Walking with Dinosaurs' on Christmas Eve.  Luke really wanted to see it, if you go, the first 10 minutes or so are...um...interesting.

Kieran didn't really stand still long enough for a good picture, how about a picture of him and Luke opening a gift together?

The kids put together a calendar for Sarah with pictures of them throughout the year.  

Lex, of course, had to check it out....caring only about the pictures that were of her!

Kieran was utterly confused that there is a board game that doesn't involve Transformers, football, Bey Blade, etc.  Not sure how the game 'Clue' will go over....

Where ever you are, from our family to yours, we hope you had a great Christmas!  Hope to catch all of you later....

But, what Christmas would be complete without driving to Holiday in town?

It took us about 45 minutes to get to Holiday and back (no we didn't go directly there).  There was no yelling, screaming, panic, etc.  We made it just fine.  Perfect day to drive around town actually, few people were on the roads, everyone was too busy.

Maddy turns 15

Yesterday, Madeline turned 15 years old.  The kids wanted to make her a birthday cake.  The boys had this big idea of asking her what kind of cake she liked when we picked her up from dance last Tuesday.  Kieran and Luke thought that she'd never know they were making a cake, even if they asked her about it -- turns out, both boys fell asleep on the way and never got around to asking her.

It also turns out that it takes about 30 minutes longer to frost a cake when you've got three kids under 7 doing the frosting.  It finally got frosted and yesterday was the day for candles.

There were 15 candles spread all across the cake, it's not an easy task to blow them all out at once.  Luckily, or unluckily, Maddy had help.

Maddy also passed her permit test, so there will be another driver on the road soon.  I would imagine that western Carver and McLeod counties (and their relative lack of vehicle traffic) will be the early driving experience.

Kieran's Tooth

It's not a double post, Kieran lost another tooth last night.  Apparently, when you are 7 1/2 years old, once you lose one tooth, they all start falling out.

He was brushing his teeth and came downstairs saying "dad, I've got a problem."  His tooth was barely attached, with a little blood.  I said that it wasn't a problem, I'd just pull it out.  That was the worst idea possible according to Kieran's reaction, so he sat on the stool holding a kleenex up to his mouth for the blood.  Five minutes later, the tooth had fallen out and I had to reach into his mouth to save it before he swallowed it.

Here it is...not exactly very big...

It was placed securely into the 'tooth fairy' pillow for the evening, which I'm sure she came and took the tooth (actually....I know she, I mean he, came and took the tooth)....

Kieran's beginning to look like a hockey player, or someone whose father beats him.....both are not true, he's just got a money making scheme going....

Santa Comes to Cologne....Again!

The Cologne Lions put on their Christmas in the park tonight.  It started with a candy cane hunt, sleigh rides and a visit by Santa.  We stayed maybe for approximately 1 1/2 hours....did I tell it was -5 degrees (felt like -15 with the wind)?  They were also going to light a Christmas tree....we didn't stay for that....

On the way home, Kieran said this was the real Santa.....apparently the Santa at the bank was one of those 'helpers', according to Kieran...

Santa Comes to Cologne

Well, apparently this is post #100.  What a better way than have pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Choose your favorite out of the four that I took...

Luke was a little hesitant to get near Santa, but nearly as bad as years past (there used to be a lot of tears).
 

It actually didn't take a lot to convince him to get between Santa and Mrs. Claus.
 

Lex on the other hand, she practically jumped into Santa's lap!
 

Everyone made sure to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and eagerly took the candy that he gave them.  Merry Christmas!

Kieran's First Lost Tooth!

Picked the kids up from Bev's daycare today and the first thing Kieran says was "Dad!  The tooth fair comes tonight!  I lost my first tooth!"  I asked him if he knew it was loose and he said yes.....thanks for telling me Kieran!

Kieran is now 7 1/2 years old, a bit late to start losing teeth, but finally!  I bet he starts looking like a hockey player soon!  Here's the tooth in all of it's glory!

What's the going rate for the tooth fairy?  I can tell you tomorrow, I'm sure our house is not as high as some of the numbers I've heard thrown around lately....