Shockermania!

March Madness 2015 was a fun time to watch WSU play some big games and wear all of the Shocker gear!

The kids were ready for the first Shocker game of the tournament against Indiana.

We normally don't get the games on any of our channels, so it was fun to see them play.  And nerve wracking!

Here is Dominic...

...reacting...

...after WSU won 81-76!

Time for the round of 32 against KU.

The Shockers showed up playing one of their best games ever.

And soundly beat KU 78-65, much to the excitement of the kids.

We went out to celebrate the win against KU.

Everyone was happy!

Go Shockers!

While we were sad they lost in the Sweet Sixteen to Notre Dame, we were happy they had such a good, exciting season.  We'll be ready for next year!

January Jumble

Eating lunch at Spangles with Grandma Brungardt.

First attempt at making bagels.

No prizes for looks, but they tasted good.

One day when I was making bierocks, Anthony had to make his own little one.

Yum!

January saw Shocker Mania coming on strong at the Brungardt household.

Dan took Joseph and Dominic to a Shockers game and they were thrilled!

Boys in front of Charles Koch Arena on the WSU campus.

At the end of January, my sister-in-law took the big kids to the Young People's Concert and all the little ones stayed with me.

Joseph was the "big" kid, so he helped me watch the little ones.

The old, decrepit swing set survived another round of play.

Little Balthaser ready for action!

Fun with friends at the park.

What a Season for the Shockers!

As we all know, the WSU Shockers went on a historic 35 game winning streak this year.  What a season!  Dominic and Joseph got lucky because Dan was able to get tickets to another game in February (while they were still in budget range!).  They loved the experience, and this whole season has spurred a lot of basketball practice at our house.  Dominic goes out by the garage for hours, shooting baskets and practicing layups.  Joseph joins in often.

Ready to cheer on the team.

Two little fans watched the team warm up.

The excitement was building.

The arena was full, and the game began! (Of course, they won!)

Go Shockers!

In mid-January, Dan, a Wichita State University alum, took Dominic to his first WSU Shockers basketball game.  At the time, Dan thought, hey, they are undefeated so far, this would be a great time to go see a game.  (Little did he expect that they would get to 34-0!)

Outside Koch Arena, aka, The Roundhouse.

They got there early to watch the players warm-up.

Dominic was excited to wear his new Shockers sweatshirt. 

Some free Shocker sunglasses!

Getting close to game time!

The stands were full as the game started.  (Of course, we know they won!)

Final Four Excitement!

Throughout March Madness this year, we watched (or, in the early games, listened, since we don't have cable) to the Wichita State Shockers beat one team after another.  Dan is an alumnus of WSU, so it was rather exciting to be in the midst of all the excitement of a winning team that was not expected to do very well this year.  Then they made it into the Final Four, which had not happened for almost 50 years!  So Dan got a T-shirt and taught the kids how to make the W:

Helping the kids get it right.

Everyone got it?

Except Anthony.

We were ready for the big game on TV!

It was an exciting run Shockers!