Football and Family

As K-State football fans we belong to a giant purple clad family.  Saturday was Family Day and we enjoyed a lot of football and family throughout the day.  We attended the game with our church family.  Every year the church gets a block of tickets and about 100 people join in a tailgate and then go to the game together.  It was fun to pack into the stadium with the church family.  Since Arthur was seated right next to the pastor's wife I reminded him to be on his best behavior and keep the yelling at the refs to a minimum.  Before the game we met up with a few couples from our Bible Study in Aggieville to ride the shuttle bus to the game.  Before we grabbed donuts and chocolate milk which is a tradition from Arthur's childhood when their family would travel. 

We got to our seats a few minutes before pre-game started which is probably my favorite part of the game-- the band, wabashing, Willie leading the KSU cheer, and the K-State football montage videos.  The game itself was an enjoyable game-- maybe not on-the-edge-of-our-seat excitement but that allowed you to chat with people around and take in the full game atmosphere.  It was also Band Day which meant another favorite football tradition-- the 1812 Overture.  My one complaint is that a few years ago they stopped shooting off the cannons during this song.  As the classical music purist that I am I would like the song to be played as Tchaikovsky intended- with cannon fire and the peel of church bells. 

Since it was Family Day they also introduced the K-State Family of the Year.  This award is put on by the Chimes junior honorary (Arthur and I met while we were both members of this honorary).  My extended family on my dad's side had the privilege of receiving this award 2 years ago and it was honor to be recognized for generations of K-Staters and a fun to share the day with the family.

During the 3rd quarter I was getting a little bored with the game so I decided to track down one of my past roommates and (current) friend to watch with her family.  We chatted for awhile and caught up on any important news.  After the game we met up with some of Arthur's extended family and his grandma.  There is a brick outside the stadium in memory of his grandfather so his aunt showed us where it was.  We randomly ran into some of Arthur's former roommates and fraternity brothers as well.  One of my favorite things about K-State games is that you will always see someone you haven't seen in ages and it gives a chance to reconnect even if only for a few minutes. 

Following the game we wandered back through campus and continued with our tree identification lessons.  Campus provided a greater variety of trees so Arthur learned some new types and hone his skills practicularly on evergreens.  We browsed through a bookshop in Aggieville for awhile.  This was one of our favorite activities while we were dating-- looking through bookstores or libraries.  Yes, it is quite possible that we are nerds (although the arborcultural discussions are nerdier than bookstores which are almost hip).

Finally, we found the infamous ginko tree-- Arthur is quite proud.

 

That evening we finished off our K-State Day by attending the K-State volleyball game.  My cousin was selected to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the game.  I can't even fathom having the courage to sing the national anthem acapela in front of such a large crowd (or anyone for that matter).   Even though I don't understand the strategies and plays of volleyball I love watching the sport and how what appears to be mass chaos with bodies flying in every direction is coordinated team work.  After a few sets we went out to eat with my cousin and her parents.  Nothing like a plethera of chips and salsa, good Mexican food, and quality conversation to end the night.  For not being "social" people Arthur and I both thoroughly enjoyed the day with K-State sports and time with friends and family sprinkled in for good measure.