The Hatgidakis Family
7/29/10
Happy Birthday Sean!!!!!
G'Ma
7/29/10
Happy Birthday, Sean!!
Nelsons
7/29/10
Happy Birthday Sean
Ryan, Amanda, Tristen, Teghan, Lindsey & Matt
7/26/10
At Worlds of Fun today we've rode nearly everything, even Teghan!! We've done the Patriot twice, Prowler & all kinds of other non rollercoaster things. It's hot & humid, but just sprinkled for a few minutes, so it's been a good day!! Tomorrow Shlitterbahn waterpark!Gary
7/21/10
We added two new videos to Tristen's Cool Sites today: "Slo-Mo Dogs" and "The Porcupine Who Thinks He is a Puppy." The porcupine one is pretty amazing. As Teghan said, "Who knew that porcupines were so soft?"
Gary
7/21/10
Tristen and Teghan, you may have guessed, are spending the afternoon here in my office. We had planned on watching the Special Olympics flag football competition through our office windows -- but it was over before we got here. Lots of people on campus, though, so there are plenty of other events happening around here.
Teghan
7/21/10
I'm playing on the iPad making a pot and having Goldfish.
Tristen
7/21/10
We're making pots, eating Goldfish, and drinking water. We just saw Stephanie Kuchar (outside) and Jim Bovaird (in the hallway).
G'Ma
7/20/10
Bring your sleeping bags, T and t. You are most welcome!!!
Amanda
7/20/10
Grandma, the girls thought about spending the night tonight after Tuesday night dinner, just cuz they can, it's summer! They don't have any plans tomorrow til 4 or so (softball & dance) so if you think you can handle them, they'll stay!
Gary
7/20/10
The Special Olympics are in full swing here on the campus. It's a pretty big deal! Lots of extra people on campus (like thousands extra), meaning the sidewalks and streets are busy. Everybody wears different colored t-shirts (white, red, blue, green, yellow, etc) and it's a colorful sight. The big field right outside our north windows is being used for some of the events, so all we have to do is open the blinds to have a ringside seat -- in air-conditioned comfort. Pershing Auditorium is I think where the awards ceremonies take place every day, and it is jumping too: Big tents set up outside and two streets blocked off. Kind of exciting!
Amanda
7/18/10
Tristen's competitive dance team got asked to perform at the National Special Olympics while Rachel McClusky sang the "Be a Fan" theme song. It was such an honor for her to be a part of this! They had 3 days to prepare & did wonderful! After they were done they got to go to the side when all the athletes streamed in, so she got to give them all high fives & shake hands. It was an awesome experience for them!!
She's the one on the bottom step, on the left hand side. It's hard to keep up with her during some parts because it's dark & they move a lot, but we did our best. It was televised too, but since we had our camcorder we were able to focus on her.
Donna
7/18/10
Awesome job, Tristen! Congratulations!
Amanda
7/17/10
We've had a busy busy week, and it's not over yet! We found out on Tuesday Tristen's dance studio got asked to perform at the National Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, which is tomorrow at Devaney. They are dancing while singer Rachel McClusky performs. Rachel is a 16 year old who wrote this song just for the Special Olympics, as "Be a Fan" is the theme of the Olympics. You can hear the song on my YouTube page [I embedded it on this page below. --Gary], though don't look for Tristen in the video, you'll barely see her. We were videoing it for the whole studio to have it to practice to, as they have just practiced 3 sessions to be ready for this.
This has been a great experience for Tristen (& Teghan & she got to meet & get an autograph from Rachel) and tomorrow is sure to be even more exciting & touching. We'll see all the athletes tomorrow & cheer them on. Schwarzenegger & Maria are here, Harrison Ford was here today, and I'm sure others. Very neat to be a part of this! It's on NET2 tomorrow at 3, and apparently also online at NET2 & the Special Olympics webpage. They are on first, so don't be late!!!
Way cool! --Gary
Emily
7/15/10
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday too! Can't wait! We will be leaving Omaha by noon at the latest and hopefully stay until around 5. We will be driving to Columbus from Lincoln after our visit.
G'Ma
7/14/10
Emily, what a treat to get to see you twice in a couple of weeks!! Looking forward to your visit. Enjoyed seeing Sam yesterday and the whole gang last night. I think Brucie could find a good home here, he made a lotta new friends and he really liked the backyard. Hasn't quite mastered the deck steps yet tho'. HOT already today 84 at 9:30 a.m. Gary, I did enjoy the cool sight, thanx John, my chuckle for the day--dadgummit!
Yeah, that's the first time I've ever heard anyone say "dadgummit" outside of a Foghorn Leghorn cartoon. :-) --Gary
Gary
7/14/10
Well, Youtube had to pull the video I posted yesterday because Major League Baseball claimed copyright. I do not understand how the lawyer mind works.
So if you are in need of a laugh, click on today's cool site. It's some hilarious outtakes from a fishing show. Thanks to John for sending it in!
Emily
7/13/10
We are tentatively planning on leaving Omaha around noon on Saturday, getting to Lincoln around 1 and probably leaving early evening, assuming those times will work out for everyone. Our schedules are flexible. Hope to see everyone on Saturday!
OK, see you then! --Gary
Emily
7/13/10
Hey Grandma, Donna, Gary, and anyone else that might be around, Jack and I are going to be in Omaha this weekend and were wondering what plans were for Saturday? We would like to come visit for the afternoon if you guys will be around! :)
I usually show up at Grandma's on Saturday. Give us an idea of when you might be there, and I will be too! --Gary
Gary
7/12/10
Here's a Monday morning funny for y'all. Baseball play-by-play from the Mariners-Yankees game last Thursday:
G'Ma
7/12/10
I really enjoyed the Nelson's visit, was good to see you all! I'm happy you took some "little pies" home with you, Emily, they were a nice exchange for your yummy cookies! Raining again this morning, got lots on Sat. night. Looking forward to Sam's visit, I hear they got home fine and dandy last night.
Emily
7/11/10
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a pretty good movie! The rain held off and it was a great show to see in the park! I had a great afternoon in Lincoln and it was great to see Grandma, Donna, and Gary again! Grandma, I still love how cute all the little pies you made are!! We will be having ours for dessert tonight, I'm sure they're delicious too! Donna, Erika and I started growing the poodle and monkey this morning. I took before pictures, and will be sure to take some afters too :) And Gary, I've been craving Brazilian cheese bread ever since we left! I think I might have to check out the recipe and try making some myself!
Karen
7/10/10
We got home about 7, had a good drive home. It was lots of fun today -- good to see everyone. Thanks for everything :)
Thanks for making the drive down. It was great to see you guys. Hey Emily, we watched "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" with Teghan, who arrived after you left -- how was your viewing of that movie tonight? And Erika, enjoy your double-shift tomorrow! --Gary
Gary
7/9/10
In these days of modern times, when everything seems more like it was than it ever has been, it is easy to let yourself get depressed. Well, my friends, when that happens, may I suggest you watch this campaign video for Republican Mike Weinstein (FL state representative, District 19)? It is totally "hip," as the kids say, and it proves to any doubters that the Republicans are really in touch with the young voters:
Marsha
7/5/10
We had a nice 4th, Livi went with Sam and me to
Delano to see a big parade in a little town featuring the U of MN
marching band marking Mark's last appearance in the band. It was a lot of
fun and it didn't get rained out. Zach, Sam, Mark and Livi were here for
a cook out in the evening. John and I have been watching HBO's John
Adams series (highly recommended for any history buff). Paul and Lori
and Liv got here on Friday evening and we ate at our local favorite (and
Zach's former restaurant) Longfellow Grill. Anna has been spending the
holiday weekend with a friend at her lake home (we've missed ya Anna!).
Livi has been to Taste of Minnesota and saw Sammy Hagar and also to the
Mall of America this afternoon. Today has been rainy so it was a good day
to be indoors. Glad to hear that the Nelsons are going to Lincoln on
Sat.
G'Ma
7/5/10
Congratulations, Linz!! Now the fun begins!
The 4th was a really soggy one here. Maybe better today, but we have had a shower already this a.m. and looks like more may follow. Sounds like Livy is 'living it up in Minneapolis.' Looking forward to the Nelsons on Saturday!!!
Karen
7/5/10
Did everyone have a good 4th? We did most of our celebrating on the third. Emily, Erika and their friends went to Sat in the Park, then we roasted marshmellows and did a few fireworks. Didn't do too much on Sunday, Emily worked and Erika went to see a movie. We did try to shoot a few fireworks. We were in the backyard and decided to move to the front to do a few more. Brent shot one off and then noticed the police car in the neighbors yard. That's when we decided to head indoors and watch a movie:) Hey, we are all planning to come to Lincoln on Saturday. Plan to spend the afternoon there -- hope to see everyone then.......
In my neighborhood, the 4th was a lot quieter than the 3rd. The 3rd was crazy. But on the 4th it rained all day, off and on, so things were a little soggy. See you guys on Saturday! --Gary
Gary
7/4/10 John & Marsha
7/3/10
Congratulations Lindsey. We are really, really proud of you. You will be
a strong healing presence to all whom you have the privilege to work
with. Keep up the good work.
Donna
7/3/10
Congratulations Lindsey!!!
Amanda
7/2/10
Lindsey, I've congratulated you on facebook, on the phone & now on here, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Gary, what's the red ointment? Never seen that......
I can't vouch for either of the ointments. But it's what my doctor said he passes along as advice to all the medical-intern types who work in his clinic. I imagine it's much funnier to them than us. :-) --Gary
Lindsey
7/2/10
Some of you may have known I applied to nursing school back in May and I just found out yesterday that I got accepted! I'll be starting at BryanLGH Medical Center in January. I may start a couple classes this fall to get a head start. The easy parts over though! Even if it was a nervous month!
Congratulations, Lindsey! Here is some advice courtesy of my doctor, who summarized med school for me this way: "If it's dry, wet it; if it's wet, dry it; if it's red, put on the white ointment; if it's white, put on the red ointment." --Gary
