Raider Nation, My People

So it has been quite some time since I have done anything with this blog.  My goal is to try and do something atleast every couple of weeks.  There probably isn’t many people that read this at this point, and I don’t blame you. 

Back in December I went with some friends from work to see my Raiders play the Redskins in Oakland.  I had a blast.  I arrived to the stadium before everyone else in my group.  I had a great seat, I was on about the 15th row and on the 50 yard line behind the Raider bench.  The tunnel the players came out of was next to where I was at. When I found my seat I was so early that there were only 2 other people in the entire section.  I walked up to the front row and the players started to come out (without pads) to do their pregame workouts.  The security guard told me I couldn’t stand there and that I needed to go back to my seat, I explained I was from out of town and just taking in the whole experience of being in the stadium.  When he heard me say I was from out of town he said that was a different story and that he was going to introduce me to some players.  For anyone that knows me and my past autograph experiences, you know I was in heaven.  For some odd reason I seem to run into professional athletes a lot.  I don’t mean watching events, I mean getting take a pic, shaking a hand, or getting a signature.  A couple minutes later the Raider QB’s come walking out, he calls them over and they give me and a couple others a “fist bump” (Jamarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski).  I met the Redskins coach, Ron Zorn. I didn’t have anything to get signed so I took pictures of the players as they came through (probably about 30-40 pics).  One of the highlights was looking down the tunnel and watching the Raiders form a circle before running out of the tunnel. Most would find this lame, but for some reason I thought it was cool (I video taped it).  It turned out where I was standing just happened to be the seat for Violator.  Now, if anyone is reading this you are probably asking, who is Violator.  He is the Raider Fan that wears shoulder pads with spikes and paints his face with silver and black.  Awesome!  Anyway, the Raiders got beat after Gradkowski got hurt and Jamarcus Russell came into the game.  It was painful to watch a guy that makes 30 mil be so shi##y.  The crowd started chanting Jamarcus sucks and F*ck Jamarcus.  These, are my people .   I loved every minute of it.

Rad Kids

 

Ian participated in a program called Rad Kids at school.  It is a program that teaches safety and what to do when placed in different danger situations.  At the end they simulated an abduction and the kids were taught some self defense techniques to get away.  Above is Ian’s simulation.

The Cyrus Empire

Alex and Emma wanted to see Miley Cyrus for their birthdays.  Meg and I decided to give in and take them, unfortunately our seats were not by each other.  We went to dinner before at Z Tejas, which was pretty good.  The opening act was Metro Station, which the lead singer is the brother of Miley Cyrus.  I think most are familar with the song Shake, Shake which is their only hit song.  The music wasn’t bad, but the band themselves were.  Trace Cyrus kept mentioning his relationship to Miley and had the crowd shout with him that we would remember Metro Station forever.  If they would have just played music they would have been good.  As for Miley, she put on an ok show.  Before she played you could text messages and they put them up on the video screens.  Alex had me write “Miley I am your biggest fan, Love Alex Nickel”.  A few minutes later it came streaming across the screen.  Alex was thrilled.  She did another that said “Miley you rock, and Hi Emma and Meg”.  It was a fun way to pass the time.  Miley was sick during the show and the camera captured her ready to puke.  She ran off stage and a couple of the backup singers finished the song.  The took about a 10 minute break and then she came back and finished the show.  Some of the highlights for Alex were Miley flying through the air on one song, and riding a flying motorcycle that looped around the crowd.  I loved seeing Alex have so much fun, she had a permanent grin during the show. 

I have to mention that the Cyrus family is just raking in the dough with these things.  Placed around the arena were different outfits for the Miley line that they encouraged fans to buy at WalMart.  They had photo boots that you could have Miley imposed into your picture, of course she was wearing her Walmart clothes.  During the concert they played a trailer to the upcoming Miley movie and followed it up with 2 songs from the movie with clips playing in the background.  Everything was done during the show to sell the fan something.  Knowing how much things cost at concerts I picked up the girls Miley shirts at KMart for $6.  Similar shirt at the concert was $40. 

It was a fun night out with the girls.  I look forward to our next one.

A date with Riley

With my new work schedule I get the luxury of spending more time with Riley on Thursdays and Fridays.  A few weeks back I gave Riley the option of doing whatever she wanted with me. She chose going to the zoo and having lunch at TGI Fridays.  We had a really good time.  She is a fun kid and has a fun personality.  I think the highlights for her were riding on the Merry Go Round, Taking the train ride, seeing any animal that was a baby (tigers, giraffe, elephant) and she loved eating the cup of dirt for dessert.

1637

Last night was my date night with Alex.  It was sooo much fun!  The night started with a stop at stringing beads http://www.stringbeadsutah.com/.  Alex picked out a necklace and earrings kit for us to make together.  We planned to make it last night but ran out of time. 

Next was dinner at the restaurant of her choice, which was TGI Fridays.  It was nice to chit chat and just talk about random things.  I was impressed when Alex ordered a dessert and told the waitress to hold the chocolate because she wanted to share with me and knew I didn’t like it. 

After dinner Alex wanted to go to Boondocks.  Usually she likes to play the video games and win tickets.  I talked her into giving the gokarts a try.  I told her it was like being in the Wii game MarioKart.  She admitted she was a little scared but would give it a try.  She said she would pretend she was Rosalina, her favorite MarioKart character.  Once we got started Alex had a big grin on her face.  A car came up on us and Alex told me we couldnt let anyone pass and to get in front of the other car.  I wonder where she gets her competitive nature from ?    At the end of the ride she said she wanted to ride by herself the next time we go.  She loved it (as I did too). 

We headed to the video games.  Usually we will win around 200 tickets that will get spent on little toys that end up in the trash.   We played our favorite game Deal or No Deal and immediately won a couple hundred tickets on the first game.  I was walking by a Plinko game and I dropped in a token, I didnt really understand the dynamics of the game.  I started to walk away when I noticed tickets coming out the bottom.  An attendent was walking by and she congratulated us for hitting the jackpot of 1000 tickets!!  Alex and I looked at each other and we both started giggling.  For about the next 10 minutes we watched the tickets come out until the machine ran out.  I never have that kind of luck.    By the end of the night we had accumulated 1637 tickets.  At the prize counter Alex first chose a rockstar guitar pillow.  Next she opted to get a disco ball that put stars on the ceiling.  She finished with a Hannah Montana brush/mirror, bouncy ball, and chinese fan.  She was in heaven. 

On our way home Alex told me it was the funnest night she had ever had and thanked me.  It was one of those moments that makes being a parent more than worth it. 

I look forward to next months night out with Riley.

Where did my Candy go?

If my memory is correct, it started with the kitchen towel drawer, which was the bottom drawer beneath the silverware.  I was a young kid and noticed at the grocery store my Mom happened to slip a few candy bars at the checkout line to the checker.  She didn’t think we were paying attention, but I was.  Later when my Mom was busy doing laundry or some other household chore I found the candy bars located in the towel drawer hidden.  I thought, there are a few, she wont notice if one is missing.  I took my chances and ate one.  When I went back to the drawer they were gone.  Hmmm, I don’t think she had ate all of them.  I searched the other cupboards and found them in the cookbook cupboard.  Of course I had to have one.  Next time I went there, they were gone.  I searched again and found them in the top of the good china at the highest point.  Good thing I could climb. 

Fast forward to the present.  I am cleaning my daughters room and when I get to Riley’s bed I find a pack of half eaten skittles under her pillow, there are sticks of gum in her purse, mini candy bars stored in her dresser.  Candy had been stashed everywhere!  Riley took candy thieving to a whole new level.  She not only finds others candy she hides it strategically in her room.  It was one of those times as a parent I had to laugh it off as one of the funny things that kids do.  When one of the kids candy come up missing, I now know who to see and where to check.

A memory for my kids

 

“Those who are dead are not dead, they are just living in my head”    – Coldplay

So I am sitting in divorce class on a Saturday in late September.  My kids are with my sister Celeste while I am there.  The night before my Mom had told me my Dad wasn’t doing very well and I needed to come see him in the next week.  I knew what that meant and was dreading the moment.  During my first break I turned on my phone and got a text from Celeste saying my Dad wasn’t doing really well and that she was headed to see him and I should do the same after class was over.  I left my phone on but shut off the ringer.  About 10 minutes into class I looked at my phone and saw I had a few missed calls and text messages.  I knew what it was but was afraid to check the messages.  The first I saw was from my Sister Abbie, she said something to the effect of if you want to see Dad before he passes away, you need to leave now and get her ASAP.  I bolted from class and sprinted to the parking lot.  I called Celeste on my way, she was about 5 minutes ahead of me, we were the only ones not at my Moms house.  I asked to talk to Alex, I explained that Grandpa Neal was going to pass away and that I wanted her to go in the back bedroom with the other kids.  She asked me if she could say something to Grandpa Neal, I asked what she wanted to say and she told me she couldn’t tell me, it was something only for her Grandpa.  I told her we would see when we got to the house.  When I arrived my Dad was propped up and was told he was being kept alive so that Celeste and I could say our goodbyes.  I have to say from this point on things are somewhat of a blur.  This is how I remember things, I could be incorrect at time frames, people, etc., but this is how I remember it. I found Alex in the back bedroom, I was concerned about how she was handling everything.  She seemed fine, the first thing she asked me is when she got to tell Grandpa Neal what she wanted to say.  I walked her into the living room where my Dad was sitting in his favorite chair.  Alex hopped up onto his lap and gave him a big hug.  She whispered in his ear, “I love you Grandpa, and you are the best Grandpa”.  My Dad made a noise (he couldnt speak) and in my mind I think he could comprehend what was said.  Alex went back to the back bedroom and seemed relieved she got to say what she wanted to say.  Riley wanted to follow her big sister and she came in and gave Grandpa a big hug too.  She told Grandpa Neal that she loved him.  I took my turn and gave my Dad a hug.  I let my Dad know I loved him and how much I would miss him.  At this point we were waiting for my Uncle Mike to show up.  They said the call had gone in to him about 45 minutes ago and they thought he should arrive any time.  He showed up with my Dads Dad.  My Grandpa has dementia and wasnt told what was happening to my Dad.  When he came in the room he told my Dad to wake up and went to shake him.  It broke the tension a bit, and although sad, it was funny in a Nickel sort of way.  I remember at somepoint my Dad starting to chuckle and his eyes opened up like he was looking at something in the distance.  I dont recall the timing but it happened shortly before his head was laid back.  After a few minutes he stopped breathing.  My Dad was no longer in pain and looked at peace. 

I share this story for my kids.  I know some may think I should not of allowed my girls to see their Grandpa in that state.  At the time I was unsure myself.  After giving it some thought and I am glad the girls got to say goodbye, especially Alex.  She loved her Grandpa and has good memories of playing with him.  When I ask what her favorite memory is, she says it is Grandpa’s laugh.  For those that knew my Dad he had a very distinct laugh, and he laughed often. 

Tomorrow is My Dads Birthday.  I have to admit, I didn’t think his birthday would bring up so many feelings and memories.  I felt I had been dealing with everything really well.  But I am really sad and really miss him.  He was an incredible Dad, and I considered him my best friend as a child. 

When I mentioned to Alex it was his birthday she told me we should celebrate it by going to Wienershnitzel and having a kraut dog for him (it was his favorite place).  I think tomorrow I will do just that, and wash it down with a Big Gulp in Neal Nickel fashion.

Mt Timp

 

A few weeks ago we took the kids to Timpanogas Cave with our friends the Snow’s.  It was a lot of fun. I had never been the caves and thought it was well worth the 1 1/2 mile hike up.  If you haven’t done it I recommend doing it.

Used bike becomes new

We have been short a couple of bikes for our kids.   The kids have been patiently sharing with the occasional argument over whose turn it is.  We decided to look for a used bike so everyone can ride together.  Megan found one on KSL and when she bought it the seller threw in another bike that had a bent rim for parts.  Megan replaced the rim and fixed up the bikes.  The kids were so excited and have been riding the past couple of days. 

Last night Emma came running into the house yelling that the neighbor wanted to talk with us about something.  She looked panicked.  When we asked what was going on she said  we needed to just talk to the neighbor.  When we got outside we found one of the bikes in front of our neighbors drive way.  What we found out is Emma had crashed on the bike in the neighbors drive way.  She started to run in the house when our neighbor was backing in and he said he wasn’t paying attention and he ran over the bike.  We were so relieved that Emma was not on the bike when he ran it over (so was he).  He ran over the frame and the bike was history.  The neighbor and Emma both felt terrible and agreed that they both made a mistake, Emma should have moved the bike and the neighbor should have been looking (he admitted he wasn’t paying attention). 

Later that night Emma came to us with her piggy bank and offered us all of the money she had to get a bike.  She even offered to get all the money at her Dad’s house.  Megan and I felt so bad and were proud that Emma was willing to give up her savings.  Of course we told her to keep her money.  Later that night the doorbell rang and we found a brand new bike sitting on the porch.  The neighbor had bought a brand new bike.  Emma’s face lit up.  We took her over to the neighbor to say thank you and they agreed that Emma wouldn’t ride for a couple days and she would be more careful in taking care of the bike.  After chatting with the neighbor we found out he hasn’t had much work and was was struggling financially with the economy.  We felt so000 bad.  We offered him money for the bike but he said he had been watching the kids ride the bikes and knew they loved it.  He said it would make him happy for Emma to have the bike.  He wanted to help out and wouldn’t accept anything.  Our hearts melted.

We really have the best neighbor anyone could ask for.  I wonder if I would have done the same if I was in the same position financially.  This was really a great example to not only the kids but to myself about putting others before yourself.  Thanks to my neighbor Wayne, your the best!

Moab.. I love you

Last weekend my gorgeous wife and I headed to Moab with our great friends Sarah and Dave.  Also joining us were our dogs Maggie and Jake (they are BFF).  It was really a fun and enjoyable trip.  We did a couple of great hikes, one to Cable Arch, which isn’t known to many.  And the other hike was to Morning Glory Arch.  To view the pics above in full click on the pic, it will only load half of the pic.  Click on it again and it should load the whole pic.