We Watch The Snowman Burn...

This just might be a formality at this point, but they still burned the snowman in effigy over at Lake Superior State. The kids and I had fun as usual, and the kids even got a free t-shirt each. The weather was great, in the 60's, and the first time I can remember doing this without the kids being bundled up in at least a winter hat and coat. And driving through campus, I made sure to blast some Def Leppard in the mini-van, just to make sure all the college kids remember how cool I am...

Laker Softball Banquet

One of the traditions the Amigos and I have is the annual Take Me Out To The Ballgame banquet put on by the Lakers softball team. We were lucky that Papa was able to come with us this year. Another change, is that is was held in the Student Activity Center before the hockey game. Great idea that I think generated more fans to attend. Papa also spoiled Lily with a new hoodie, that she loves, and hasn't taken off since! She aslo got to put a pie in the face of her favorite Laker, which is something they started last year, and a lot of fun for the girls and Lily. Good spaghetti dinner, and a good way to kick off a night of hockey.

USA, USA

More hockey for us Amigos, but only one more Laker game on our agenda unless they host a first or second round playoff game. This time LSSU beat the USA U18 team in an exhibition match. Not a big crowd, but we had a lot of fun. Lily and Trevor went off to sit with some friends, but Brian stayed with me the whole time! Good pic of him checking out the Zamboni, as this is his favorite part of the game, I think. Typical boy, he is. We're hoping to get him on skates this weekend, so that will be something worth getting pics of for sure!

More Hockey To End The Month

After watching the Globetrotters play basketball, we decided to get back to hockey. Staying in Cadillac, we watched the Vikings fall to Traverse City West in high school action. It's hard to watch these games for me, knowing that I never had the opportunity that these players did. When we played, we didn't earn a varsity letter, and were only able to play a few games in an indoor arena. It seems like everything we did to pave the way for a varsity program has been forgotten.....

Saturday we made it back to the Sault to watch the Lakers take on Ohio State, who was the number one team in the CCHA. The Lakers beat them 1-0 on Friday, and Saturdays game was even more exciting. The game went into overtime tied 4-4, and LSSU won the shoot-out. It was one of the best games we've seen in a long time. The kids were pretty tired from the trip. but they're troopers and we had a great time. Hard to believe only a few games left in the season...

Full Hockey Game, Half the Amigos

I'm still catching up on things, so bear with me. Last weekend we celebrated Brian's birthday, but unfortunately he couldn't make it to the game with us. Neither could Trevor, as they were both sick with the flu. Poor Brian got sick right during his party. They did announce his name and birthday over the loud speaker, though, which was really cool. And the Lakers were able to hold on for a 4-3 win over Miami, so that was good, too. At least Papa could join Lily and I, as he was up for the party.

Pink In The Rink

Last weekend was our last Laker game of 2011. It was the 'pink in the rink' game, with the Lakers wearing their pink jerseys to auction off after the game. Lily also got her face pained, and there was some other events going on to help battle breast cancer. Lakers beat Northern Michigan 6-3 to end the year on a high note.

Lucky For Us, Lakers Win

The Lakers faced the #2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the weekend, and the return of coach Jeff Jackson. JJ coached the Lakers back when I was in school, and lead them to National Championships in 1992 and '94. I was lucky enough to travel to Minnesota in '94 and watch them win that game 9-1.

That was then, and this is now, though. The Lakers dropped the Friday night game 4-1, and we missed that one because we were travelling back from Thanksgiving in Cadillac. We went to Saturday nights game, though, and the Lakers won that contest 5-2. Lily stayed in Cadillac an extra couple of days, so just me and the boys. Trevor spent a lot of time with his friend Alec, so mostly just Bri-guy and me!

Lakers Split With Future WCHA Foe

A lot of history between the Lakers and Bemidji State. They used to play in the same league back in the late 60's and early '70. LSSU even beat BSU for the NAIA National Championship in 1974. This weekend was some really good hockey, too, and I look forward to these teams being in the same league in a couple of years. They lost the first game on Friday 3-2 in OT, but bounced back to win 2-1 on Saturday. Lily was at a friends house, so just the boys and I attending. We had a lot of fun, but left in the third period because I had to work and Trevor wasn't feeling all that well. Brian was really good, and played with his trucks in his seat, too. Lakers are out of town this weekend, but back home I think after that to take on former coach Jeff Jackson and Notre Dame. Should be some really good hockey in the coming weeks for the Lakers.

Lakers Split With Falcons

We enjoyed another weekend of Laker Hockey, with the Lakers losing 1-0 on Friday, and winning 4-1 on Saturday. The weather was nice, so the kids were able to 'high-five' the team after Saturday's game and watch them ring the victory bell. It was just the Amigos this week, as the kids didn't have any friends at the game this time. Next weekend they'll be on the road at Miami, but back in two weeks when Bemidji State visits.

Lakers Sweep Spartans Out Of The Sault

Before we headed to Sudbury to see Avril, we had a busy weekend on Friday and Saturday. Friday we went to the Lakers game, with Michigan State reportedly making their last trip to the Sault. The Lakers beat the Spartans 5-4 Friday, and 3-2 on Saturday. Really good games by the Lakers, and as a family we had a great time. Trevor hung out with his best friend Alec, and Lily and Kassidy buddied up and sat with us. Brian was pretty good, but their was a huge crowd, so we really had to keep an eye on him. Lakers host Bowling Green next weekend, so we'll be there for sure. Lily did a great job bowling on Saturday, too, but Trevor's game was postponed until next weekend.

Brian And The Whale

After a busy day of bowling and football, we still had the annual Lakers Blue/White game to look forward to. It's fun to watch the team play against each other, and they let us on the ice after the game to meet the team. Brian was a little upset that he couldn't go onto the ice BEFORE the game, so he showed his displeasure by throwing his toy whale onto the ice...Lucky no one was hurt, and he even got his toy back. We decided to watch the game from seats a little higher up, after that, and they gave us free pizza and popcorn toward the end. The Blue team won on a shoot-out, and we were on the ice. Brian still has fun skating around, and we were able to mingle with some of the team.

Laker Softball Sweeps

The weather was pretty nasty this weekend, but the Laker girls were able to get one double-header in on Friday, beating Ohio Dominican 9-8 and 18-8. The kids were troopers, and Brian spent his time playing in mud puddles. Go figure. Between games the girls took Lily and Trevor into the dugout and they were able to get autographs. Lily knows some of the girls through the softball clinics. They have a few more home games left, so we're hoping the weather holds up for them.

Hockey Comes And Goes

The Laker hockey season came and went this year. We had a lot of fun and created a lot of memories as a family. Brian's streak ended abruptly as the Miami Redhawks came to town and spanked the Lakers 8-1. We felt better the next weekend, however, as the Lakers swept the Ohio State Buckeyes out of the first round of the playoffs. Actually, we only saw the Lakers lose two games all season which is pretty good. We might try to catch a Soo Eagles game before their season is over, too.

Slapstick Softball

Last weekend was the Laker Softball's annual 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame Dinner' to raise money for their trip to Florida to play the first part of the season. This is another one of our traditions now, and the kids have lots of fun at these. Lily even had the chance to throw a pie in the face of her favorite Laker player. Brian was a little tired after our trip back from downstate, but was pretty good. I hope events like this encourage Lily to play softball this summer, but we'll see. Good luck to the Laker girls this season. We'll be at the home games if the weather cooperates.