Bienvenidos Wildcats

What do you mean where have I been?  Where have you been?

I've been in Miami.  Here's the short and sweet version:

We took the early flight on Friday... arrived in Miami... took the scariest cab ride of our lives... and headed out for food.  Then I ordered what was by far the best salad of my life... and maybe the highlight of my weekend, thus far.

Huge Enormous Wonderful Salad

I know, but really, that salad was so good.  There was also pizza and beer... and sunshine... so you know how happy I was.

Plus I was there with my BF.

After devouring the best salad ever, we headed down to the beach and ran into a mob of purple.

The Gibsons have landed.

This was our first big road game, and we didn't realize that when you travel with the Wildcats you are supposed to wear purple the entire time. 

These folks got it right.

It was so fun to be in a place like Miami and run into mobs of purple every where we went!

Forgot our purple.

Night time on the beach!

The next day we threw on some purple and joined the purple wave for drinks and lunch by the pool before the game.

Go Cats!

Then I insisted that we needed purple pictures in front of the beach.  

Can we move here?

 And then we were off...

Purple Wave!

 In retrospect, I've spent quite a few weekends recently drinking on a bus...

We were the youngest people on the bus. 

About this time I received a text from Kait asking if I'd started a new secret blog and not invited her.  I replied that I was far too busy drinking on a bus in Miami to blog... this is true.  Then Drew took a really flattering picture of me.

I am so hot right now.

Things got crazy and people started walking up and down the aisle doing K-S-U WILDCATS!!!!  And it was awesome.

He's no Willy, but he'll do.

Miami has seriously crazy weather.  It was hot the whole time but it rained every day for like an hour.  Thankfully the rain missed the game.

Bring it Hurricanes!

I was impressed by their big helmet and smoke.

But I got goosebumps when the cats took the field.

Yeah Willy!

The game started out good...

And we were feeling good at half-time... until I ran into these fools.

Uncle Mike, how could you?

I texted a picture to Jess and she asked me to kindly remind Uncle Mike that he's paid a lot of money to K-State to just be walking around in a Miami shirt.

They were visiting Mike's friend from college who used to play football for my dad.  Apparently he's never been to a Miami game when they've won.



Glad you could make it!

And... it's always good to see my favorite cousin...

Love you Seaner!!!

Okay, you know what happened next.  The second half was not as comfortable as the first half.  Not at all.  In fact, our cab driver warned us that the section we were in was known for getting rough, and I guess they actually brought in extra security because the Miami folk were getting a little mouthy.  Then we ruined their day.

Eat it Miami.  You ain't going nowhere.

Oh yeah, we're number one.

Yea!!!

Final score.

Happy Wildcats.

More number 1-ing.

The folks are pleased!

All through the game people kept pointing to a large man on the sidelines and saying it was Mangino.  No way. 

Yep.  It was him!

All us happy little Wildcats boarded our bus, make a run to the liqueur store, and drove our happy butts home.

Thank you Mr. Boyd.

I freaking love this bus.

What a good night!!!  We ate cheesecake and crashed after all that excitement.  Our flight wasn't until 3:30 on Sunday so we just dinked around Miami near our hotel.  First stop:  Casino!

Let's go gambling!

The race track.

Drew was starving and I couldn't convince him to go back for that damn salad I've been dreaming about.  He wanted something healthy.  So I introduced him to the beauty that is the Whole Foods hot bar. 

Nom Nom Nom.

And then we went to Pink Berry!!!  I don't know why its so much better, but it is.  I think maybe its the fact that they add the toppings for you so your raspberries are all smushed and covered in some kids snot and sprinkles.

I love you pink.

Yep, he likes it.

I'm so happy!  And, I'm wearing purple again.  Because we're awesome.

We high tailed it back to the hotel before a freak thunderstorm hit to grab a cab to the airport.  I'm not kidding you friends, it was the most terrifying ride of my life.  I thought Drew was going to fling the door open and push me out to save me from the certain kidnapping/act of terror/24 style torture that we knew was coming.  Somehow we made it out alive and spent the rest of the day happily at the airport waiting for delayed flights.

Seriously, when is the next away game?  Because I'm there.  Best weekend ever.

Go Cats!

Love & Basketball

My heart can't take much more of this season.  And its only the beginning.

So... if you didn't know... our #4* ranked Wildcats took on #18 Gonzaga last night.  Even though we were up by more than 20 at times, it never really felt like we had it in the bag.  This was more than likely due to the fire shooting from Frank's eyes the entire time. 

Frank Martin is so much better live.  I mean, if you think he's intense on TV, just go to a game. 

Our seats were awesome.  We were right over the tunnel that the Cats came out of and close enough to see all the action on and off the court.  Yeah, I was watching Frank on the sidelines most of the time.  That guy is a show in himself.

Bring on the Cats!

Warm ups.

Willie was also acting a bit crazy all night.

Frank: warm up mode.

Frank: business mode.

Frank: serious mode.



Frank: game-time mode.

My boy Pullen!

My camera doesn't take excellent game-time photos, so there aren't a lot here.  We rocked.  I mean seriously.  Those boys can put on a show.  Except when it comes to free throws...

McGruder.  Will he make the shot?

Big question of the season: When will Curtis Kelly play???  Tonight!!!  Well, last night I mean.  Everyone applauded when he finally got play time.  I don't know what he did to tick Frank off, but it must have been bad.

Glad to have you back CK.

The Cats pulled off the win!  Frank even cleared the bench at the end and let the newbies play. 

Pullen heading in after a big win.

Final Score.

Seriously, we play Duke tomorrow.  Duke is ranked #1.  Holy Smokes!  I cannot imagine how I'm going to handle it.  Football is so much easier to watch.  Basketball is 40 minutes of non-stop intensity... and yes, I'm talking about Frank again.

*Did you know Ohio State jumped us for the #3 spot?  We got bumped back to #4.  Drew says its okay b/c we don't care about rankings... ummm yes I do.

We Own Texas

Wow!  What an amazing way to end our home-game season of football!  The weather was beautiful, the food was fabulous, and of course... we kicked butt!  For whatever reason we always play really well against Texas.  They don't have the best team this year, but I don't think anyone expected the end result we got.

Because it was a night game, we had the whole afternoon to tailgate.  Even better, the weather was gorgeous... cool, but sunny.  Such a great day!  The band and Classy Cats came by and gave us a front row show!  Our band is seriously hilarious.  I love them. :)

The band is hot.

 And lots of friends stopped by to say hello.  Can we take a look at my squinty eyes?  I got like nine hours of sleep... there is no excuse for this!

Squints.

What is this?!?

My favorite mom.

Captain Parker.  Yar!

Parker gives boys baby fever.

My pretty friends!

Jack needs some attention.

Open your eyes!!!

Jack meets Parker.

It got pretty chilly out, but Jack did not want to put on his coat.  So I told him if he wasn't going to wear it, I would. 

Fat guy in a little coat.

This lady is nuts.

No!!!  I don't want to wear it!!!

 Cheryl fancied up her Jello shots with whipped cream.  Genius.  Dessert and booze all in one.

Tasty.

There were lots and lots of snacks at the tailgate today!  I made chocolate chip cookies and mini pumpkin pies.  More on that later.

Sweets.

To teach Drew a lesson, I'm going to post the pictures he tries to ruin from now on.  That will show him.

Such a catch.

Happy Jack.  Must have forgotten he's wearing a coat.

The Cats scored within the first minute of the game.  The rest of the game kind of went the same way.

K-S-U Wildcats!

Look at my tiny hat.

Go Cats!

Jack was a trooper all night!

I love raisins.

 The night ended with HAPPY BEERS!  Which are so much more fun than sad beers when we lose.

Happy.

Jack became acquainted with Uncle Driz, who offered to babysit anytime.  For some reason no one thought that was such a great idea. :)

I like this guy!

It has been a really amazing football season!  We still have three away games, but our football attendance is over for the year.  From now on we'll be cheering on the Cats from the comfort of home... or the comfort of Kites.  Go Cats!