Tailgating for a cause 2011

Today was my friend Tracy's annual tailgate at The Cell.  The weather was terrible - this year the rain didn't wait until we were in the park, but hit us during the raffle drawing.  Tracy's not crying in this picture - those are rain drops.

The rain delayed the start of the game by about an hour.  We waited out part of the delay in our seats - about half way up the center field bleachers.

The Sox pulled out a 5-4 win over the Royals, but we didn't stay for the entire game.  At the top of the 8th inning it started raining buckets (again).  As the grounds crew hustled out to cover the infield, we hustled out of the stadium and made our way to the parking lot.  I very rarely leave a professional sports event early, but this time it was the smartest choice.  Erin was exhausted from a busy week, and we were both cold and damp.

In spite of the nasty weather, I'm glad we went.  Over the years, Tracy's raised over $26,000 with this fund raiser, and I'm honored every year to help out.  The rain didn't dampen her philanthropic spirit, and I'm so proud to be friends with someone who's so willing to give back.  Tracy, thanks for organizing this event every year!

End of Season Party

Erin's been the new kid on the block on her Strikers soccer team this fall, but she's fit in beautifully.  Today was the team's last game of the fall season, and the girls hung out on the trampoline at RC's house for awhile while the parents chatted inside.

I've really enjoyed getting to know the parents on this team, and I'm already looking forward to the spring season!

State Run

This morning I got up bright and early in order to drive the cross country car pool down to Normal, IL, for the state cross country meet.  What a riot!  Yes, it's a little crazy to drive two-and-a-half hours in order to watch your child run for about 13 minutes, mostly thru a wooded area.  But this is State, and it's a huge honor just to be here.  These are my favorite pics from the day:

The runners had chips on their shoes so their times would be totally accurate.  Here's Erin showing off her chip:

Julian had 2 runners in the top 25, and the team placed 18th overall. Erin came in at 180. What impressed me more than their times and places, was their sense of comraderie. These kids really came together as a team, and have formed lasting friendships this season.

Congrats, J-Hawks, on a great season!

Success at Sectionals

Julian's varsity girls have run strong all season.  Today they had such a strong showing at Sectionals, they are headed to State!  The happy girls can't wait for the trip to Normal next weekend.

Congratulations - you've earned it!

Fast Times at Thatcher Woods

This afternoon, Julian, Brooks, and Roosevelt Middle Schools ran a cross country meet at Thatcher Woods.  Drew asked Coach Benson if he could run with the JV boys, and he got the nod to join them.

Drew's never run competitively before, let alone with boys two years older than he is.  He was running in the top third from the start, and he never looked back.  Drew ended up finishing the race fourth overall!  Here he is right as he was approaching the finish line:

Congrats, Drew, on such a fantastic finish to your very first race!

Hanging Out with the Big Boys

On one of our many jaunts to the zoo this summer, Drew entered a drawing for free White Sox tickets.  Wouldn't you know it, he won!  Even tho it was a school night, Drew took Matt and Vic to watch the Sox chase the Twins for the AL Central division title.  The Sox lost badly.  It looks as if this is the beginning of the end of this year's pennat chase for our White Sox.  Regardless, Drew thoroughly enjoyed the treat of getting to hang out with his 20-something friends at the ball park on a school night.
Thanks, Brookfield Zoo, for promoting our favorite baseball team.  And thanks too, Vic and Matt, for being willing to spend the evening at the ball park with Drew.

The Race is On

Before...

...during...

...and after

This afternoon was the first cross country meet of the season.  Erin placed fourth overall in the varsity girls' race, and helped the Julian team take first place.  It's so much fun watching Erin develop as a runner and an athlete.  This year she's much more confident and willing to be the leader of the pack.  What a great way to kick off the searson!

Schaumburg Fest

This weekend is Schaumburg Fest, which is a giant soccer tournament that Strikers teams of all ages participate in.  If there's one common complaint among Strikers parents, it's the Schaumburg Fest schedule.  Between Friday evening and Sunday night, everyone plays at least three games and as many as five.  The good news:  we didn't have to drive to Schaumburg in Friday rush hour traffic.  The bad news:  Erin's team had to report on the field at 7:45 this morning.

In spite of the early start to the day, the Strikers played a tough first game that ended in a 0-0 tie.  Great defense, Erin!

White Sox Meet and Greet

Erin and Drew don't always see eye-to-eye on things, but one thing they always agree on:  rooting for the White Sox.  Drew recently came back from the Dark Side and has embraced the South Siders once again, and Erin and I are thrilled he's rooting for our team.  Today I got the kids up early so we could get to the zoo right when it opened - it was Sox Day at the Zoo.  We were first in line to get autographs from Daniel Hudson and Andruw Jones. 

Still Celebrating

These Coke cans are now available in the Chicagoland area.  Even tho the White Sox are on a roll and leading their division, the MLB trade deadline looms large, and the Bears are on the brink of reporting for camp, we still can't get over the Black Hawks!

Learning from Legends

Our friend JW won a day of football training with some of the 1985 Bears.  Boys ages 6-20 were eligible.  Since JW's only child is an eight-month-old girl, she thought of Drew.  Early this morning we headed out to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb so Drew could participate in a few hours of drills led by men who, in my opinion, were the best ever at their positions when they played the game.

Yes, Drew caught the pass that was thrown to him by Reggie Phillips, who in 1985, as a rookie cornerback, returned a 28-yard interception for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Afterward, the kids were allowed to get autographs from the players.  When Drew approached Emery Moorehead for an autograph, he said to Drew, "I remember you!  You're Speedy Gonzales!"  That's because Drew was first in line for every single drill, all morning long.

Drew walked away with a hatful of autographs and an unforgettable experience.  Thanks, JW - what a special treat!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game - Part 2

A bunch of us had plans to tailgate at Sox Park tonight, and then watch the White Sox take on the Braves.  Our best-laid plans, however, were thwarted by yet another nasty storm that swallowed up Chicagoland.  Just about the time we threw down the brats on the grill, the clouds rolled in and in no time flat we were in monsoon-like conditions.  We ended up jamming everyone in the minivan and eating in there.

Fortunately, our seats were under the overhang behind home plate, making the two-hour rain delay a little easier to endure.  The Sox beat the braves 4-2 for their eighth win in a row.  The rain delay coupled with post-game fireworks meant we left the stadium a little before midnight.

Thanks, Vic, for putting together such a fun evening!  I'm sad for you that your Braves lost, but it's great to see the Sox on a roll.

HAWKS WIN!

In the interest of full disclosure, we're not a die-hard hockey familly.  We've kept an eye on the Blackhawks throughout the long season, and we were excited when they made the playoffs.  We didn't really start watching the games in earnest, however, until they made the Stanley Cup finals.

When you live in Chicago you understand that for our local sports teams, participating in - and winning - championship games is a very rare thing indeed.  It's important to take a moment and watch these events, because it might be a really long time before it happens again.  I wasn't even born yet the last time the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  I don't remember a thing about that one, but I'll never forget tonight's game as long as I live.

Drew and I were sitting on the couch in the basement, tense as can be.  We thought the Hawks had the championship sewed up with their lead in the third period.  And then the unthinkable:  the Flyers tied the game around the three minute mark.  The game went into overtime.  We were on the edge of our seats when Patrick Kane scored the winning goal, bringing the Stanley Cup to Chicago for the first time since 1961.

Congrats to the Blackhawks!  And thanks for giving us something to cheer about!

Pilot Pete's

While Drew and Baird headed to wrestling regionals this morning, Erin and I drove out to Schaumburg so she could play as a guest for the Strikers U14 indoor soccer team.  It's customary after a game for the girls to eat a meal together.  We landed at Pilot Pete's, a fun little restaurant that looks out over the Schaumburg Airport on Irving Park Road.

A Trio of Golds

Every night this week I've been camped out in front of the TV, cheering on American athletes at the Olympic Games. Tonight I watched as three of my favorites (Lyndsey Vonn, Shani Davis and Shaun White) won gold. Kelsey even joined me to watch the men's half pipe. We both watched in awe as Shaun White put down eye popping moves that defy gravity.

A big thanks to the AP and New York Times for capturing such great photos!

Let the Games Begin!

Tonight was the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC.  In honor of the international spirit of the games, Kelsey made Moroccan meat balls and homemade hummus to nibble on while we watched in awe as an indoor stadium was transformed into a snowy Canadian winter night.  It was truly magical.

I thought the organizers did a wonderful job of balancing the tragic death earlier in the day of Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, with the excitement and anticipation that the olympic games always bring.

It's going to be a couple of weeks of casual meals in front of the TV while we cheer on the Americans in their quest for gold.  Let the games begin!

Super Bowl Party

For years Baird and I have hosted Super Bowl parties.  There were a few years where we packed the house, having as many as 75 people for the event.  It was crazy.  I'd spend an entire week re-arranging the furniture to accommodate everyone.  As in, Drew's dresser and bed were stored in the attic for the day while his room transformed into the Island of Sodor so all the little boys could play Thomas the Tank Engine.

The last year we had that large a group was the year Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake performed their historic half time celebration and the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" occurred.  I missed it - I was too busy entertaining to pay attention to the game.  In fact, I didn't even know who won that year.

It was at that point I told Baird, "No more," since I truly love watching the Super Bowl game and the commercials.  We compromised on entertaining on Super Bowl Sunday on a smaller scale.  We still have people over, but it's much more manageable now that the kids are older and it's a smaller group.

Tonight we invited six families to join us and it was a blast.  I served hot dogs, Super Bowl Chili and Taco Soup.  Each family contributed food too, and we had two tables loaded down with food.  It was so much fun.  And I'm glad the Saints won.  I was rooting for them!

Let's Go Hawks!

Tonight the Iowa Hawkeye football team played in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech. Iowa's had an amazing, nerve-wracking, come-from-behind-in-most-games season that made this game a must-watch. While the rest of the family came and went, Erin and I snuggled under blankets in the basement and watched the Hawkeyes take the lead early and never look back. I've always been proud to be a Hawkeye fan, but never more so than tonight.

Final score:

Iowa: 24

Georgia Tech: 14

I think I'm going to have to get one of these t-shirts in the very near future.

Way to go Hawks!!