There is No Place Like Nebraska; especially on GAME DAY! The last thing on my wish list was to go to a game. I had managed to get tickets for Matt and I to go a long time ago, then my Uncle Bob called and asked if we wanted to take the whole family. My Uncle Bob loves taking his nieces and nephews to the game. It really has become a family tradition to get to go to a game with Uncle Bob. Since much of the nieces and nephews are grown, Bob has moved down the chain and started taking his great nieces and nephews. A couple weeks ago he took my niece and nephew to the game. I was so glad they had a chance to experience a game day, but part of me was sad that my kids wouldn't get that chance with Uncle Bob. So the minute he asked, I was elated. Bob was going to check to see if he could get the tickets, so we waited to tell the kids. Well, we waited to tell them they were going. We however, did not hold back in telling them Matt and I were going! Dalan was so upset that we dad and mom got to go but they didn't. We may have let them believe they were going to stay at my cousin Amanda's house with Uncle Bob during the game!
We stayed out pretty late at the pumpkin patch last night, so waking up early this morning to meet Bob was a little hard. We don't know why he wanted us to meet him at 9AM when the game didn't start until 2:30PM, but we went along with it. We met up in Gretna and followed Bob to the stadium to park. Bob convinced the kids we would walk around until it was time to go in then they would head to Amanda's house. Dalan was still so pouty! On our way towards the stadium from the parking garage we passed the practice field. The kids' eyes (and mine) grew quite large. They were hesitant to walk on it, but Bob quickly pretended to head for the goal and my sports crazed kids knew just what to do to stop him from scoring!
Oh, but of course, we couldn't get by any cheerleader without my little miss demanding we stop for pictures! Since we were early enough, we were able to watch the players arrive at the stadium. YEP, we even beat the players to the game! Jayen was having a hard time with all the excitement and noise. He really didn't want to be up in the action. Grandpa came to the rescue and put Jayen on his shoulders. Jayen was able to see what was going on, but be far enough away from comfort. Of course, it didn't take Brilyn long to convince Bob to do this for her too.
I could see how much Uncle Bob really wanted Brilyn to have the whole experience of the day. He would take her up to every cheerleader, push her in line towards Herbie Husker, take her near strange men in tutus to tell them she liked their skirts so he would share his beads, bring her near the baton twirlers and pose for photos... I think he may have loved toting her around as much as she loved it!
Jayen, however, had a much harder time. He wanted ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with any mascot or cheerleader. He has always had an incredible fear of any masked character. So when we posed for this picture, his shrill echoed throughout the mezzanine. This was the best we could get!
When the players were all inside we headed toward the student center to do some quick shopping at the bookstore and get a bite to eat. And we figured it was about time to tell the kids they were going to the game too. Dalan was still pretty mopey and crabby. We ate our lunch then told the kids we had a surprise for them but first they needed to yell, "Go Big Red" in the middle of the student center. Brilyn had no fear and was immediately yelling. She was enthralled with the response of nearly 100 people answering her back with a quick Go Big Red. We waited for Dalan to also hold up his end of the bargain. He was a little hesitant but finally succumb and not nearly as loud as his sister gave out a "Go Big Red". And once again a Husker crowd could not avoid the answer! We then told the kids that mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bob, and they would all be going to the game. The attitudes quickly changed and the excitement started to grow!
We still had more than enough time before the game so we headed toward the track field. There were some inflatable games set up for the kids. Jayen was in his element and could not by pried away from the basketball and football games. Not to be outdone, Dalan had to show off his skills as well. And who couldn't be left out; even though the ball was bigger than her head, she wasn't letting the boys have all the fun!
With still more than enough time before the game, Bob took us to see the band play. On the way there we caught up with people passing out balloons. I was looking everywhere for these. I wanted the kids to have them so they could let them go after the first score. The guys with the balloons were trying to go by quickly so we grabbed a handful and kept walking. When we got to the grassy area where the band plays, most of us stayed to save spots but Uncle Bob took Brilyn down to meet the baton twirlers. She couldn't resist posing for more pictures. Jayen was having a really hard time being near the balloons we just grabbed. I don't know why he hated them nearly as much as the costumed mascot. We were all doing our best to keep them away from him, but the wind would send them near him every so often and he would again let out a shrill cry for help. Since we had so many balloons, people were coming up to us constantly asking if they could have some or if we were selling them. It was kind of comical. One kid beside us popped his balloon in the grass and was visibly upset. I convince him to trade me his popped balloon for a new one. He thought I was silly for wanting the popped one, but it was a win win in my book. I really wanted Jayen to play with the popped balloon and see that there was nothing scary about it.
With still enough time to spare, we headed toward the gate to find our seats. Grandma and Grandpa's seats were near the 40 yard line only 8 rows up, pretty nice seats, but not by ours. We told them bye and the rest of us when in our gate. I have actually sat in these seats with Uncle Bob more than a handful of times. I was flipping through pictures earlier today and laughed because there was the same man sitting behind me in all of my pictures. When we sat down and I took my first picture, he was in the background and I couldn't stop laughing. I had to tell him! Bob saw me talking to him and decided to ask him if he and his grandson would like to switch seats with my mom and dad. He would even pay them $20. They were ok with the idea and walked with Bob to the seats to see if they were ok. UMMMM heck yeah did they get the better deal. They got amazing seats and $20! Thank you Bob for not only finding us seats together, but getting my mom and dad with us too! What an amazing, perfect day. Seriously, no place I'd rather be!
Most importantly Jayen, but we were all ready for the first score to get rid of the balloons. Thankfully it didn't take long and the Huskers scored! Jayen was more than willing to tell the balloons bye!
The kids were more than spoiled with food, drinks, hugs, and snuggles. He is famous for it, so I shouldn't have expected anything less, but Uncle Bob loved sharing his pop and snacks with some little hands!
The kids quickly picked up on some Husker traditions. Jayen kept throwing the bones and Dalan would take off his shoe on kick offs.
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