Nice Gifts From Notre Dame

Aunt Jean shows off a few of her nice gifts from Notre Dame University.

The Showtime series, "A Season with Notre Dame," provided an incredible, behind-the-scenes look into how the Fighting Irish went after a national championship on the football field this year.

I watched a few episodes and immediately knew that Aunt Jean would appreciate the show as well. So I took my iPad down to her a few months ago and she took it in as well. Unfortunately, the season did not go as well as Notre Dame had hoped and the Irish fell short of being one of the top four in the nation and making the playoff.

But along the way, I wrote an email of appreciation to Senior Associate Athletics Director John Heisler. I thanked him for opening up the school's football program to a documentary crew. To my surprise, he wrote back and later wrote back again, asking if Aunt Jean would like something from the school. ("Of course," I wrote back.)

So that led to a surprise package showing up recently for Aunt Jean. She was treated to a variety of very cool keepsake items, including the "Play like a champion" towel and pennant pictured above. What an amazing – and totally unexpected – surprise. Go Irish!

Central High Football

It was a near-capacity crowd for the showdown between Central and North.

Each year, I try to get all of the girls to at least one Omaha Central football and basketball game. Tonight was the night for football and fortunately, the weather wasn't too cold. It was a bit windy out of the north, so we sat on the south side of the press box, in the upper deck.

Omaha North is the defending Class A state football champion. So we knew it would be a tough game for the Eagles. And, with a few lucky bounces, Central was right in it up until the end. Unfortunately, a potential game-tying touchdown drive ended in an interception as North prevailed, 35-28. But it was a lot of fun.

Who's missing? One of the Central students! (Emily had to work.)

Veronica and I were warm in our nice stocking caps.

Darn.

This was a nice treat waiting at home. Hot chocolate – and more chocolate!

Busy Saturday Outdoors

Lauren and her unusual head gear were soaring high (with help from a ladder).

The weather this month has been unusually mild, with afternoon temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Saturday was no exception and we took full advantage of it by getting outside.

In addition to a few games of kickball and throwing and kicking the football around, I also asked Emily to help clean the gutters. This led to some nice photo opportunities (see below), as well as Lauren going halfway up the ladder before chickening out and heading back down.

There was also a bit of dress up taking place indoors, as Veronica went through my BMC Racing Team wardrobe to become Taylor Phinney. Yes, she said she was dressing up as Taylor Phinney. If he only knew...

Veronica started with my Oakley glasses and a BMC Racing Team podium cap.

She eventually donned all kinds of BMC Racing Team riding gear.

This massive promotional elevator from Aksarben Cinema was a nice thought
and gift from Uncle Jon and Aunt Bridget. But it didn't fit through the basement door.

Which princess is behind this character from "Hotel Transylvania"?

Veronica had her own scary dude.

Here is Lauren's favorite guy from the movie.

Emily had a little fun after she was done cleaning the gutters.

Veronica also got a little time in on her bike.

This is what was left of that elevator cutout after Julia and Olivia broke it down.

We also moved Aunt Jean's organ, with some help from Uncle Neil.

Friday Night Football

This was our view from about halfway up in the (cold) bleachers.

The school is pretty cool at night.

Omaha Central made the high school football players and scored a huge upset (over No. 2 Kearney) in the first round. So we decided to attend the Eagles' quarterfinal game against Creighton Prep tonight.

We knew it was going to be cold so we bundled up and also took a blanket. I also told the girls that no one could ask when we were leaving until after the halftime show was wrapped up. For the most part, they did a good job doing that.

Central was playing without its No. 1 quarterback and Prep had beaten the Eagles once already this season. Add that up and it equals a 10-0 halftime lead for the Junior Jays. We left after halftime and they ended up losing 28-14. But it was nice to show some support for Emily's school and she's still ahead of me in school state titles won at this point (two: both in basketball last year) in her high school career.