Owen's Birthday Basketball Game

 Later than usual, into February, but we made it, and the Devils won.

ASU vs. Oregon Football

For this year's ASU football game we had tickets for Oregon, that time top-ranked with only one loss and angling for a berth in the playoff. The Devils were on an unfortunate losing streak but were ready to play. They upset the Ducks on national TV on ESPN.

My buddy at work got us onto the field pre-game again. What a privilege! I sure hope the kids realize how special it is. Katie was down there with us, as was Coach, Featha and Gene-beeps. The energy is electric.

D-backs Game

A Sweep

Yes, that's right, the Sun Devils swept the Wildcats in all three major sports this last season: winning the Territorial Cup, both basketball games, and the overall baseball series. GO DEVILS! To commemorate the occasion, I snapped this photo at work for my UofA co-worker.

ASU Basketball Game

This year we decided to all go out to Tempe to watch the Sun Devil men's basketball team against Colorado for Owen's birthday. The Devils won.

Another Devils Win

Thoroughly enjoyed the Sun Devils come-back win against the Wildcats, who blew a 19 point lead in the 4th quarter, in Tucson. Good to see Herm get his first win against the Stink of A and Sumlin. Go Devils!

Fish's B-day D-backs Game

Like Owen, Fish was particularly fond of Chris Owings.

D-backs Game with Owen

JoJo's Birthday D-backs Game

D-backs Game

ASU Game for Birthday

I took Owen, along with Poppy, to the ASU-Colorado basketball game for his birthday. We had a great time seeing Sparky and watching the Devils explode in the 2nd half to win the game. I really enjoyed hearing the band play.

Boys D-backs Games

 Owen, Poppy, and I went down for a weeknight game in September for a guys night. It was also Pop's first D-backs game.















We caught another game for one of their last home-stands as they made their playoff push. This was TF's first game. Poppy again came, as did Aunt Katie and Uncle Zach. Unfortunately, Owen got some kind of stomach bug and threw up in our seats twice, once in the bathroom, then twice more on me as I held him in the concourse. It was a bummer for Fish (who probably really didn't care) and was one of the worst sports experiences I've had.

The pic at left was right before he threw up the first time. The cardboard food holders at right were what I used to have him vomit into. Poor guy was so tired toward the end.

At Del Mar Racetrack

Our last day in Solana we hit Del Mar racetrack. The kids liked to see the horses and I hit a few bets while losing some others, breaking even. Nana & Bobbins probably got the most out of shopping in the gift shop.

 

 

 

STL - Baseball Game

As luck would have it, the D-backs were in town to play the Cardinals while we were there, so we caught a night game. There was a one hour rain/lightning delay, which set us back on the kids sleep time, but it was a great time. They have a great ballpark, and the D-backs won on a JD Martinez grand slam home run.

 

ASU Basketball Game

For Booch's birthday I also took him to an ASU basketball game. He had enjoyed watching the girls' school play, and I hadn't been out there in a while, so we took Coach along for an afternoon contest against Washington St. Unfortunately, like in football last fall, the Cougars prevailed. We actually led at halftime but went cold in the second half. Booch enjoyed seeing Sparky as much as the game but was good the whole time. Even though the parking was $7, my ticket was only $10 (and Booch was free), so it was affordable fun.

My Little Sun Devil

Seeing Moosy in these PJs was one of the bright spots of the ASU season for me. After they started out surprisingly well, injuries and a lack of talent on defense caught up with them, and they lost their last six straight, missing a bowl game. The final contest against the Stink of A was the worst. All they had to do was contain the UofA QB and RB, as the Wildcats were strictly a running team who hadn't won a single conf. game this year, and they couldn't even do that. Not only could they not do that, they gave up 500+ rushing, a UofA school record! The Mildcats didn't even attempt a pass in the second half. After the way they lost that game, Graham better have a good season in '17, or I'm ready to cut him loose, even with the big buyout.

D-backs Game with Booch

I bought my coupon book of D-backs tickets and was supposed to go to a weekday game with Jack, maybe Mr. M and Paul, and Booch. The first three couldn't make it, Jack because he was gone, so it was just Booch and I, which ended up being a lot of fun. He was really into it. He only lasted about 6 innings, though, so we took off halfway through. The D-backs won.

I picked him up from Uncle Sam's down the road, where the fam was eating with Bobbins' parents, Paul, and his daughter Claire. This is them wishing Booch farewell - I think?

D-backs Game

Rushed home from the cabin on Sunday to make it to the D-backs game in the afternoon. This is our annual big outing with the special coupon book I buy. We had our usual seats in the upper deck behind home plate. Grandpa, Aunt Katie, Uncle Zach, Aunt Pearl, Grandma were all with the girls and I.

Karin's First Baseball Game

Despite the popularity of the game in Japan, Karin had never been to a baseball game, so I took her and the girls, along with K, Z, Grandma, and Aunt Pearl to the last home game in Oct. They D-backs finished on a high note with a win, and it was a nice day at the ballpark.

Two ASU Games

I bought a couple extra tickets for the girls to come to the ASU-Washington game, a day game thankfully. Coach used my ticket and sat with Featha. We were 15 rows up from them, pretty high, but the same section. It got shade faster than they did. The girls were a little tired in the beginning, but they perked up when we went to see Aunt Katie, who gave them free hot dogs and water. The Washington QB imploded in the 4th Q with several turnovers, allowing the Devils to pull ahead. It was a fun time with the girls, who are always asking me to take them.

I was pretty fired up for the UofA game this year. It's been a disappointing season, after all the talk from Graham of the best team he's had in Tempe, and Herbstreit picking us as a dark horse for the playoffs (which I never believed). Norvell has got to go. At any rate, it was a 'beat UofA and maybe get a decent bowl' kind of year. So here we were, hosting the Mildcats, also a day game thankfully. Featha was late coming over so we barely made it into the stadium before kickoff, with all the extra security. We had the usual drunk kids on the light rail there, and plenty of alcohol-fueled tirades waiting to get in.

This is a decent re-cap of the game. We pretty much jumped right on them in the first half. I was pleased to see us finally throw deep, something we haven't done all season. We had a real balanced attack, and only kept UofA in it with a pick 6 on a bad play call by Norvell. Of course we were flat on both sides of the ball to start the second half. Rather than receive the kickoff, score, and put the game out of reach, we let UofA score 13 unanswered (luckily two FGs rather than TDs) and get back in it. Like the previous week, the opposing QB imploded late, allowing us to secure the victory. A 3rd stringer, he threw two pick 6's that sealed it. I kind of felt bad for him having to step into that situation; he also got wrecked on a few plays, including UofA's last consolation score.

Still, no pity for the kitty! Graham's 3-1 against the team down south, and I'm pretty sure this was Rich Rod's last appearance in the Territorial Cup. Hopefully the Devils can beat Cal and finish with a nice 7-5.