Black & Gold Never Gets Old!

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you knew that the fabulously undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes were taking on the Michigan Wolverines this past Saturday night, under the lights at the infamous Kinnick Stadium. If you know me and my fiance, you know that we're slightly obsessed with Hawkeye Football. Tyson grew up sitting on the 50-yard line with his dad nearly every Saturday from August to December. And I, although spending my entire life in the amazing town of Iowa City, did not attend my first Hawkeye game until my freshman year of college. Tyson and I's relationship was solidified around Hawkeye football. Every weekend we'd head down to the stadium to tailgate with his friends and family. Some of the most amazing memories I have with him have been on ice-cold football saturdays! This season, because of family weddings and work obligations, I haven't been able to sit with Tyson and cheer on the Hawks like we've done for the last two years. So you can only imagine how incredibly excited I was that NOTHING was planned on Saturday, October 10th. Nothing but a nice, old-fashioned ass-kicking of the Michigan Wolverines. Ok, so maybe it wasn't the blowout I was hoping for, but like the Homecoming t-shirts so cleverly stated, we definitely made Michigan our Bichigan! HA!

The day started out around 4 pm, which is seriously LATE compared to the 11 am start times most students obeyed! We parked far enough away from the stadium to get a good walk in and headed towards the Kinnick Society parking lot, where Tyson's family sets up camp every home football weekend. There were tents. There was a camper. There were heaters. There was a grill with tons of chicken and brats. There was chili. There was Bailey's and coffee. And most importantly, there was this incredible anticipation surrounding the Stadium. Everyone was just giddy with excitement. The atmosphere was incredible. And I was still OUTSIDE the stadium!

After visiting with friends from Des Moines and catching up with a great friend in town from Memphis, Tyson and I decided to head in a bit early. Ya know, to catch all the pregame stuff that goes on during Homecoming Week. We took our seats in time to see Chuck Long grace the Kinnick Stadium grass once again. We saw the cheerleaders and dance team, and the ALUMNI cheerleaders and dance team. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was having a good time. Everyone was in Black and Gold. The coolest colors EVER. When "Back in Black" blared through the speakers, I about lost it. See, although I've been to quite a few Hawkeye games in the past eight seasons, the electricity of Kinnick Stadium never gets old. The players walking through the halls to AC/DC. The semi driving in to Iowa City and smashing the opposing mascot on it's way through. The stupid board that Herky rides out on. The I-O-W-A flags that light up the night as they fly through the air. The SWARM. None of it EVER gets old to me. I ALWAYS have goosebumps. And this year, I almost cried. Everyone was cheering. Everyone was in black. Everyone was waving their gold pompoms. You could tell that every single person in that stadium, aside from the handful of Michigan fans, was 100% in love with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. And that was pretty damn cool.

Although the game was a little too close for comfort, the Hawkeyes scraped out a two-point victory to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 1985. Oh, and by the way, the Hawks now own the nation's second longest winning streak. Two words: Iowa Hawkeye Pride. :)

It's Britney, Beyotch!

I tried to keep it classy with the title, but really, it's Britney Spears. Is there really anything classy about her?! No... And that's what I love about her!

Last Friday, my good friend Andrea and I went to The Circus, featuring the legendary Miss Britney Spears. It was seriously a circus... not just a concert, but a production. I've never seen anything like it! A couple months ago I saw Coldplay at the WFA, and while they put on an AMAZING show, Britney was incredible! Some of her "Circus" acts were a little sketchy, but overall, a great performance. Can't say she was really SINGING the entire time, but oh well! You can't expect a girl to dance her a** off and sing at the same time, right?!

From what I remember she sang: Circus, Boys, Womanizer, Toxic, Baby One More Time, Everytime, If You Seek Amy, Slave for You, Gimme More (I think!) and a really cool cover of Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know! Oh, and Jordin Sparks opened for her, singing Battlefield, No Air and Tattoo!

Special thanks to the girls from the DM Register for an amazing night! I had a great time!

Andrea and I after the concert...

Performing Everytime...

Smokin' Hot!

The Legendary Miss Britney Spears!

The Circus begins in...

Andrea, Myself and Kristin!

JORDIN SPARKS!

Going to the Courthouse:)

So last week I went with one of my great friends, Katie, and her fiance Chris, to the courthouse to apply for their marriage license. They needed a "witness" and I was the lucky person they chose:) It was so fun, y'all! I'm totally that person that gets all weepy and sentimental at awkward times, but this was a HUGE step... they were going to apply for a REAL marriage license! Like, it's totally legit now. Katie even got to sign her new name... Katie Moorhead (no "E"... basically what she'll have to say for the rest of her life!) (Not that mine will be much better... Yes, like the restaurant, McDonald.) HA!

Dutifully playing my part, I snapped a few photos of them filling out the forms and even got a great one of them outside, by the Polk County sign:) I was so honored to be a part of such a special moment for them. I see Katie and Chris being great friends for quite some time. Katie and I always joke that we'll be the hot soccer moms, toting our children all over town, while our hubbies are off playing golf somewhere! Here are some of the pics from the day!

My Best Friend's Bachelorette Party

so my very best friend is getting married in one month and six days! i couldn't be more excited for her! over the weekend of august 1st, we celebrated her "final fling before the ring." we had an incredible time. michelle flew in from denver. maren drove over from omaha. i was (thankfully!) able to get some time away from work. and amy, alicia's adorable older sister, opened her gorgeous home for us girls to celebrate. and celebrate we did! see, amy had such an amazing night planned. the decorations were gorgeous, her awesome hubby cooked us a delicious dinner and the drinks were nothing short of amazing. here's a picture of the incredible decor:

pretty amazing, huh? the night started with some hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. the sangria was delicious. presents were opened. games were played. stories were shared and lives were all caught up. after dinner, and plenty of sangria pitchers later, we proceeded to throw our own dance party in the kitchen. yep, you heard me. we danced it out, mostly to the amazing tunes of michael jackson (may he rest in peace). when we'd had enough kitchen dancing, we piled in the back of the minivan and mark drove us to a couple bars in downtown davenport. this is where the night becomes a little shady:) luckily i have plenty of pictures to help me remember this amazing night. enjoy!

it's been a while...

apparently i suck at this whole blogging thing. as you can see, it's been over a year between my last two posts! oops!

tyson and i went to the PGA championship this past weekend. holy cow people, TIGER is even more impressive in person. he's downright beautiful. everyone that knows of my absolute LOVE for tiger woods would be happy to know that i mustered up the courage to let out a "go tiger!" as he walked by us on the 18th fareway:) apparently my inspirational shout didn't quite work, as he relinquished the lead to Y.E. Yang on the final day of the tournament. it's ok... i still love him.

only 13 more games left in the 2009 baseball season. the iowa cubs are dangerously close to making the playoffs, and while i'd love to see them do well, i'm secretly crossing my fingers that they come up JUST short. i just have too much to look forward to this offseason... and piling more games on top of the already played 72 just doesn't sound like fun. i'm ready for a little peace and quiet.

i'm heading back to iowa city on wednesday for a little family time. i haven't seen my parents since they got back from mexico and i'm craving a little mommy/daddy time. and a little time with the brothers. oh and that fiance of mine:o)

since i couldn't take my camera with me to Hazeltine National, i'll leave you with a picture of what i got to see ALL DAY on saturday. i know you're jealous.

numero uno...

welcome to my first post people. pardon the progress... i'm a little new at this. i'm still trying to get the hang of it. so if you're a season vet, please feel free to give me some tips.

my main intention with this blog was to create a space where i can keep family/friends/loved ones updated on my incredibly glamorous life. see, i have this job that forces me to work ALL THE TIME during the months of april through september. that's what i get for working in baseball. but i truly love what i do. and since i don't have much time to call the hundreds of people that i've lost touch with since april 4th, i'm hoping that y'all can just tune in to this blog every once in a while, read a little about my life, and know that i'm thinking of all of you!