Eugene Generals Home Finale w/Mike, Drew and Tyas

Last night, as a belated gift to my nephews for Christmas, I took them to the home finale of our local semi-pro hockey team the Eugene Generals. I hadn't been to a hockey game for several years, maybe even 10 years (when they were the Eugene Blues) and my nephews had never been to one at all. It was great fun, and I would say I handled the boys pretty well (for not having kids of my own). I have several pictures I'll upload soon,
Here it is!
but wanted to post the one of me and the boys that I had the security guard take.

Unfortunately the Generals lost the game, but it was all tied up 4-4 in the 3rd period, and the boys were excited enough to stay. They were getting kinda bored when the team was down 3 goals in the 2nd period and we discussed leaving after the 'puck throwing' contest at the 2nd intermission. So we went down by the plexiglass walls right on the ice and stood there to watch the last 20 minutes of the game. Several times the players smashed into the wall right where we were standing (the first time had us all falling backwards with surprise to avoid getting hit!). We waited around after the game, and since it was 'fan appreciation' night, the boys all got in line and got autographed posters. I was glad to see how excited they were, and it turned out so well. Even my nephew Michael who is 13 (and an adult if you ask him) told me multiple times how much fun he was having and thanked me for taking them out.

This is one of the many reasons I'm back here with my family, and it SO rocks!

With that, here is a great picture of my nephews and I (right to left: Tyas (my brother Tim's boy, myself, then Michael with Drew in front(my sister Sabrina's boys)).