Christmas 2020

 It's not whats under the Christmas tree that matters, its who's around it.

Santa, I Know Him

Santa! I know him!

This is one of the traditions in Norwalk that I really love, Santa Claus driving around on a fire truck all around town.  

What made it really cool this year was after the first really big snow the neighborhood kids including Ryleigh were in the cul-de-sac playing King of the Hill and a snowball fight and then chanting "here comes Santa here comes Santa."

That was really cool to see and may have ungrinched me a little bit.

What didn't ungrinch me was what the elf did last night.  I wake up to Ry saying " Dad you better look outside and I don't mean it to snow"

Jolly had a little fun with the toilet paper which is like gold now in the pandemic and used his quarantine jar as a potty.  

But it was priceless to hear her voice the excitement the laughter.  I couldn't help but smile.

Starting to feel somewhat like Christmas

Yes I'm a grinch, but over the years the kids have tried to warm my heart and it has happened in the past few years.  It still freezes up and needs to re-thaw every year but seeing them and their excitement over this time of the year help.  Addy's eyes and smile last year visiting Santa I think increased my heart size 5 times.  Lord knows what I spend on Amazon doesn't help at all.  

Last night we went to go see Santa at the tree lighting in Norwalk.  Santa really lights up Ry's eyes and really all of the kids.  Ryleigh got to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas, a Barbie Dream House, the 2020 version.  Yes she knows what each year's house looks like.  In the end we got a cookie, some candy canes and hot cocoa.

Then that damn ELF showed up.  

Heart grew three times that day

I may be a bit of a Grinch, but smiles from my kids like this will grow my heart 3 times it's normal size any day about Christmas.

Best and Worst – Tis the Season

Anyone else think 3 day weekends are just a tease for a 4 day weekend?  And when it’s over you feel like you need more instead you have to go back to work…and the only thing good really is a short work week then to only get teased again with another 3 day weekend on the other end.  Yea that’s how I’m feeling right now.  BUT I will say it’s a good thing that I’m back to work today because if I stayed home one more day with the Christmas cookies that are in my house I’d be in trouble. 

Friday night was pretty good to start off the week.  Went out to Merle Hay Mall to pick up some gifts and went and visited @hawkart_sean at his store and drank some wine there.  I got one of his drawings (the Dan Gable one) for my nephew who is big into wrestling.  He got to practice with the Hawkeyes this weekend while the Brands boys and Metcalf were all wrestling.  So that was cool.  After the mall I headed to Carl’s Place for some Grainbelts with @SOXNHOX.

I’m kinda unofficially doing a #hawkeyeslimup or #hawkeyeslimdown which ever it is and I’m down (according to my scale) 15 pounds.  Another 15 or more and I’ll be at my goal and hopefully start to put on muscle and get running good and ready for Dam to Dam and softball!  I’m already starting a countdown for softball; I’m so ready for it, and golf.  The no snow we’ve got so far has me more ready this year than previous, though I know that snow is coming soon…it’s Iowa, we’ll probably get like 2 feet some weekend coming up.

Well enough about me, we’ll get on to this weekend, Christmas.  Had a couple to go to this year and really when did it become that you have to outdo last year’s gifts and keep adding?  I feel like with the kids that’s what it’s become.  There’s an extra gift or more spent or something BIGGER.  As a kid, would I say no to it, no, in fact I’d love it.  As a parent, it’s making me sick.  First off things are more expensive and second off, where the hell am I going to put all this shit?  My youngest got I think half of the Playskool line for infants.  My oldest got an iPod cube/radio and she still doesn’t have an iPod (guess what she’s getting for her birthday).  And my son has 3 captain America figures, and a couple Thor’s.  Really, 1 of each would be ok. 

Ok off my soap box, that being said, the kids all had a good time and loved all their gifts.  That was the fun part of Christmas just seeing them tear open the presents and smiles and excitement.  Also the amazement and questions they got seeing that Santa had eaten their cookies and the carrots being chomped on.  They even wrote notes to Santa.  Playing with their toys with them is fun too.  Especially with my son and his race track and the attachments he got this year.  It’s an extra booster that launches the cars faster and we had a ramp built up jumping over his monster trucks.  Its fun seeing how excited and happy he gets.  Every time one would clear the monster trucks he would jump with a fist in the air.  Only bad thing is he woke lil sister up.  Other than that it was really good.

I must have fooled Santa too because he brought me 2 Xbox games.  Call of Duty:MW3 and Batman Arkham City.  COD:MW3 is pretty sweet and the online play is cool.  I’m sure I’ll get sucked into like I did GRAW2.  Also got on DVD Thor, Captain America and XMEN First Class. 

That is the good and fun stuff.  The stress was also there this weekend with the family coming over and just anxiety in the house and getting everything ready.  I also need a bigger house!  There’s a lot of stress I won’t get into but let’s just leave it as I’m really glad Christmas is over, the tree is down and my kids had fun, but I’m ready for 2012 and going to face it full blast.  Oh but first is Friday night and the Insight Bowl and the Hawks, after that I’ll be ready to go for 2012. 

Des Moines Sports Freaks Friday 6 Pack

1.   The Packers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs and perfection is lost.  Is this a good thing for the Packers to lose in the regular season? 

Matt – I think for the Packers it takes a little stress of them and will help them “refocus” and I still think they get to atleast the NFC Title game if not Super Bowl

Wendt – I never understood why people thought a loss was a good thing? Helps you re-focus? Huh? Their paid NFL players, their focus every week is to win

Painter – Yes, now they don't have the added pressure of not losing and it gives them a chance to really focus on what needs to be fixed

Blake – Yes.  They had been looking vulnerable for a couple weeks.  This will refocus them.  16-0 doesn't mean anything if they lose in the playoffs

BSox – No, Someone needs to shut Mercury Morris up. God I hate listening to him

Zach – Actually, no. It shows they are mortal, they have some issues on each side of the ball and how teams can beat them

2.  The shortened NBA Season starts on Christmas – it will end in June or July when we are all playing golf and softball….who wins the NBA Title?

Matt – I’m going to say its Bulls vs Lakers in the finals and Bulls beat down Kobe

Wendt – A short season might actually hurt veteran teams  (from having to play so many games in a small amount of time) I'm going to go ahead and go out on a limb and take the Miami Heat to win the title (and I just threw up a little in my mouth)

Painter – The champs usually come out of nowhere, I'll say the Pacers

Blake – If you put a gun to my head, I'll say the Heat

BSox – I’ll be a homer and go with Miami. They’ll have another season to gel, and maybe get their %$#@ together

Zach – Laugh all you want, but if this were the year to do it: it would be the Thunder to make a rumble in the NBA. I take them over New York in Finals.

3.   Christmas Night we will have Chicago vs Green Bay on Monday Night and the NBA comes back with a Finals Rematch of Dallas vs Miami and then the Lakers vs Bulls too.  Which game is the better game?

Matt – I remember when we always had MJ & the Bulls on Christmas night….but the NFL is still the NFL.  If Jay was healthy and if the Bears were about 10-4 or 11-3 going into this game, it would be HUGE!

Wendt – Green Bay/Chicago will be a bloodbath. I'll be watching Bulls/Lakers for sure!

Painter – Better game in terms of competition?  Probably Lakers/Bulls.  Which game means more?  Chicago/Green Bay (thanks to Pittsburgh losing to San Fransisco on Monday night)

Blake – Lakers/Bulls.  We'll see the retooled Bulls lineup with Rip Hamilton, and see just how far the Lakers have fallen.  The Bears are toast, and there'll be plenty of chances to vomit while watching the Heat this year

BSox – Chicago/green bay – not much on the line for this early in the season, not enough drama for it to out do NFL

Zach – If I have to pick between the two: Dallas/Miami. Kobe won't be healthy --> Lakers aren't as good

4.  Iowa beat Drake this past weekend in Basketball, and will apparently be the end of the BIG 4 matchups in Iowa.  Do you like Iowa and ISU cancelling these series?

Matt – The 4 teams should play each other.  I don’t want to see Iowa play more Campbells or South Dakota States.  Play all Drake and UNI…its good for the state!

Wendt – I don't know the financial implications from the games so I really don't know. If it's cheaper to play somebody else than I'm all for saving money (and saving face by not getting beat by the Missouri Valley)

Painter – A game is a game, although sometimes it's better to schedule cupcakes in order to get into a rhythm

Blake – NO!!!  Man up.  Play home and homes.  Unfortunately, money talks too, and they Hawks and Clones can afford to bully the Panthers and Bulldogs around.  On the other hand, I'm more apt to go to the games now that they could be played at the Well

BSox – No, Drake is a decent program. They should be playing, what’s difference between playing central arkansas or central michigan. Not much. Drake at least would bring some interest

Zach – No. Keep tradition. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

5.  The DSM Sports Freaks Fantasy Football Championship will come down to Team Just the Tip vs the Blackhawks….who takes home the title?

Matt – Well since I got beat by Team Just the Tip, I’m going with them.

Wendt – The Blackhawks are taking the title (or belt as I have come to find out goes to the winner) Just the Tip is too beat up and was lucky to pull off the W this week

Painter – Rodgers + Nelson + Lambeau = fantasy points galore.  I'm taking The Tip

Blake – I've moved on to Fantasy Basketball

BSox – Don’t care lol

Zach – The Blackhawks. They've kicked me in the tail twice so I'll go that direction

6.   What is the best christmas gift you’ve ever got?

Matt – My grandma used to always get me a box of football cards, that was pretty awesome. 

Wendt – I got  Castle Grayskull  when I was younger (not sure the age) and it was the first thing that popped into my head this morning so I'll go with that as my best christmas gift ever.

Painter – If this was going to be posted after Saturday I'd say the laptop I'm getting this year but I'm going to go with our digital camera.  It may not be the best in the world but it has captured some amazing memories

Blake – In college we used to do a Porn Gift exchange, complete with Pornaments on the Christmas Tree.  I'm not sure what the  best gift is that I've ever gotten, but now that I'm old, I like to reminisce about the good old days and the good, wholesome Porn gift exchange

BSox – PS3 – got it last year, and have played nonstop sense. Got me off world of warcraft, and that’s good right?

Zach – I'll go best sports-related gift: An autographed team football from the 2002 squad of the Hawkeyes (got hammered to USC in Orange Bowl). Well, at least they never got into trouble

Des Moines Sports Freaks 6Pack

1.NL MVP Ryan Braun was hit with a 50 game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. First off, are you shocked? Second, how dumb are some of these guys to keep trying this stuff?
Matt – How are these guys not smarter than this? Really? C’mon man you gotta know your getting tested and randomly tested. JUST DON’T DO IT.

Wendt – Nothing shocks me anymore in professional sports. Whatever it takes to get an edge seems to be everyone's motto lately

Painter – I'm sure it was something he ate or some vitamin he was supposed to take. I'm not convinced MLB's drug testing is 100% error proof

Blake – I'm rarely shocked when this kind of thing comes out anymore. We had an interesting discussion on the podcast about this. I'm not surprised people still do this, because they will do anything to get a leg up. If leagues were serious about putting a stop to it, they'd put in a ban for an entire season or even longer

Dan – I actually believe he is innocent. I just dont see him doing it. I know this may blow up on me, and I'll gladly take that egg on my face. No, I'm not shocked that people still do it because I guarentee that a TON of guys are getting away with it

2.Iowa State beat Iowa on Friday night in basketball….but if there wasn’t much hype around the game, did it really happen? Yes it did….when will this game get back to where it was in the 80s/90s?
Matt – I remember when this had twice the hype of the football game. Really miss that as a can’t miss game or date. I think Fran has Iowa in a better spot than Lickliter and it will take time, but you know Iowa fans are really wanting basketball to be good again, and quick.

Wendt – Iowa is at least 2 years away from being a better basketball team and who knows who transfers in to Iowa State by than. Eventually the series will be more interesting, just not sure how long that will take

Painter – At least the Energy and UNI are playing good basketball

Blake – UNI FIGHT!

Dan – The rivalry will be big again when UNI stops being the best team in the state. Thats not a dig on UNI, its just that when a MVC team is the best in state nobody cares about the "Big Two"

3.We are gettnig near the end of the year – what are your top 3 stories in the IOWA sports scene?
Matt – 1-Iowa State beats #2 Oklahoma State. 2-Iowa Basketball upsets Purdue before Big Ten Tourney. 3-Iowa State knocking off Iowa in triple OT

Wendt – The hoopla surrounding the two girls that wrestled at state last year, Iowa State making a bowl with their brutal schedule, Fremont Mills beating Murray 81-0 in the 8man championship game

Painter – Norm Parker retires, Ricky Stenhouse Jr sweeps the NASCAR Nationwide races at Iowa Speedway, Barnstormers signed QB Brad Banks

Blake – Of the year? Ugh, it hasn't been pretty this year. Iowa State's upset of Oklahoma State, the Energy winning the D League Championship, and the Iowa-ISU triple OT game

Dan – 1. Iowa football imploding twice in one season. 2. UNI Athletics, the Panthers continue to bring it across the board. Football, Track & Field, Mens/Womens Basketball, Wrestling... 3. Iowa State winning 6 games with the 2nd hardest schedule in all of 1-A football

4.Going off the last question, what are your top 5 NATIONAL sports stories?
Matt – 1 PENN STATE Scandal 2-NFL Lockout & Tebow-Mania 3-The last night of the MLB Season with the Rays and Cards clinching in dramatic fashion 4-Rory McIlroy’s Norman-esque collapse at Masters to come back and destroy the field US Open 5t-Unstable Conference Shuffling…still 5t-Choke Job by dream teams of the Heat and Eagles.

Wendt – Joe Paterno being fired, LSU going 13-0 in football, Ron Santo making the hall of fame (FINALLY), RG3 winning the Heisman, Big Al heads to the Angels

Painter – Penn St scandal (sadly), Packers win the Super Bowl, NFL & NBA lock-outs

Blake – On the negative side, but a huge story is the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State, the Lockouts dominated much of the news cycle, Theo Epstein going to the Cubs, the Packers run at perfection, and the Heat losing the NBA Finals as LeBron fails to come through in the clutch

Dan – 1. UCONN winning its 3rd National Championship in basketball. 2. Suck for Luck/Manning goes down. 3. Packers quest for 19-0. 4. Red Sox epic collapse. 5. Tiger Woods struggles

5.The Bears got Tebow-ed Sunday in Denver losing 13-10 in ot and now on a 3 game losing skid….I miss Jay. Are you sold on Tebow-mania?
Matt – Tebow isn’t on D but he is making plays when the Broncos need him too, but he will be a playoff QB this year. Still can’t fathom how the Bears lost this game…..and no I’m not a full believer but if he and the Broncos somehow beat New England….I may get closer to being sold.

Wendt – I'm sold that Denver has a pretty darn good defense and a kicker who can make 60yd field goals look like chip shots, but that's about as far as I will take it

Painter – Tebow actually fits John Fox's power rushing offense. The Broncos are wearing teams down and keeping the games close enough to win in the end

Blake – There is something about him. You see it coming, like a momentum switch in the NBA or college football. But am I sold...? Let's put it this way, at this point, I'm not betting against him

Dan – Tebow is not a good quarterback. He IS a very good leader, and knows how to win. I would take him on my team, but don't know if he would be running our traditional offense..

6.Tis the season to be Merry….what’s your favorite Christams Movie?
Matt – DIE HARD! Followed by Christmas Vacation.

Wendt – "Christmas Vacation" is easily my #1 Christmas movie of all time

Painter – Shrek the Halls... ok seriously, Elf was good as was Christmas Vacation, they tie

Blake – Christmas Vacation, and it ain't even close

Dan – The original "Santa Clause" with Tim Allen