Days with the Dorans

I love how much Papa loves my kids! From his "Best Buddy," to his "Little Buddy," "The Princess" and "Joe Cool" he has a way of making them all feel special and I love that he takes them on dates! This time he took Joe to cheer on his wolverines and they had a great time! Joe isn't usually a fan of these games but this time he was! I'm thinking it had more to do with the company than the game itself though he leapt to his feet with the rest of the fans as Michigan beat Purdue! The great time may also have a little to do with the after-game meal of choice... Joe's favorite... WINGS! GO BLUE!! (and thanks for being awesome, dad!) 

My dad got us some Michigan basketball tix. We actually had 6 this time (We usually have four and need to get two more). It was fun because we also had a parking pass so didn't have to park far and walk- which I like but the kids... not so much. There were people sitting in our seats but rather than ask them to move, we just headed up a few rows. Sean didn't quite like being so far up but he managed.  Michigan was playing some small school so of course they won and there weren't too many fans there- but my favorite fans had a blast! Sometimes it's not the game but just being together.

Each year in our stockings, my dad gives us basketball tickets to a U of M game.  Although we aren't alums (like him) we do enjoy going to the games!  I couldn't go to U of M (mom is a buckeye).  I'm happy to pull for my folks' teams though (so long as they aren't playing each other). It's so nice to get away with just the two of us and it was a nice crisp day for a walk.  The guys played well and we got to see our favorite usher cheering on the boys.  Shannon was there too with her mom and we always laugh at this guy because he is SO into the games.  Definition of school spirit for sure!! They won the game and afterward Jeff and I were in search of a place to eat.  We walked around downtown for a bit and took in the sights before settling on a place (as I mentioned it hasn't been a super cold winter at all).  We ended up going to Conner O'Neill's where I had a yummy Reuben (can't recall what my Irish-y husband got) and we both has...

Papa was so excited to bring the Bigs to a U of M game and the kids were excited too!  He treated them to yummy dinner (chicken and french fries at the game and "GIANT" cokes- per Joe).   My dad sent me these pictures along with the occasional update.  U of M killed the other team! Joe wore green (a NO NO!)  so Papa got him a new shirt (and Goosie got one too- Al already had one from last year). Since I'm playing catch-up on this blog, my dad has talked often about this night and how much fun he had!!  Al and Z fought on the way home but other than that they all got along swimmingly!  Thanks, Papa, for taking Joe Cool, the Princess and your Best Buddy out for night on the town!

In our stockings, my dad gave Jeff and me tickets to the Wisconsin game! I was eager to take them mostly because there were only two which meant that he was taking the kids!!  It's fun to get out once and a while with just the two of us and I wish we could do it more.  We got to Ann Arbor near Crisler and walked to Main Street to have drinks and a bite to eat at Ann Arbor Brew Co. It was so yummy and bonus... Got a lot of steps on my fit bit that day!  Over 20,000!!  Shannon and Jeremy came too which was fun but they were a bit late too (later than us) so we had to do a few selfies (with the court in the background of course). Jeff plays along well for the woman he loves! Though not a Wolverine (I couldn't ever do a Big10 school with my dad a Wolverine and mom a Buckeye) we loved cheering on the Maize and Blue and it was such a fun game!  Wisconsin was highly favored but neither team was really shooting well so the game went into O.T.  ...

 So my kids go to lots of U of M games (as does Jeff) but since THEY don't blog on here, they are only documented when I go!  I haven't been in a long time so it was fun to see where they sit.  The game was... well.... not so good.  In fact the usher (pictured above) was quite frustrated.  He held this pose long enough for me to dig out my phone, get it on camera and snap the picture! Despite the poor playing, WE had a good time!  It was my dad, Ali and my friend Shannon (that I've known since birth because her dad and my dad are friends).  I loved catching up with Shannon and watching my dad and Ali chat too.  She added some Maize and Blue pompoms to her pony so I was glad to get a pic of that although she probably needed a comb too!  After the game, we went to lunch where we tried to talk to Dr. Don (Shannon's Dad) on the phone but it was too loud.  My dad drove us all back to his house (where we met) and then Al and I we...

My dad has talked with me about having a daddy/ daughter weekend with his friend (Don) and his daughters (Jennifer and Shannon) FOREVER!  The problem was that I was pregnant (or nursing) FOREVER (or at least I was when he last mentioned it).  I was so excited that we finally made it happen!!  My dad and Don (and actually Shannon too) are Michigan Alums so we decided to go to the Michigan v. Michigan State game. The five of us met at a local hotel to stay the night before the game.  We had fun catching up at happy hour at the hotel and then hit a restaurant for some food.  One of Shannon's coworkers met up with us too.  After dinner we went back to the hotel and us girls chatted in our room.  The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and went to catch the alumni bus to East Lansing.  It had been years since I had been to MSU (and when I say 'years' I mean probably close to 20).  None of us really knew where we were going once we g...