Charlie and Seda: Badgers Hockey Game with Andy!

Pete's cousin, Andy, is the athletic trainer for the Wisconsin hockey team. Every year they play Michigan Tech, and this year Wisconsin traveled to the UP. Houghton is only about an hour and a half from us, so we made plans to meet up with Andy and to take Charlie to his first hockey game. We made it up there around 2:30, so we met Andy at his hotel, then walked down to a coffee shop. We were able to spend a couple hours with him before he had to head to the rink. The last time we saw him was when I was just pregnant with Charlie, so it was nice to see him and catch up again. After coffee, we drove around Houghton and Lake Linden a bit. We ended up at a brewpub called the Library for dinner, and then we headed to the game. Andy hooked us up with seats on the Wisconsin side, so we grabbed some popcorn and found our seats. At first Charlie was a little scared of the loud music, but once the players came out on the ice, he settled down a bit. When Andy came out to the bench, he gave Charlie his very own Bucky Badger hockey puck, which Charlie held the entire game. After the first period, the ref came over and gave Charlie the game puck too, so he got two pucks! Charlie also loved watching the Zamboni cleaning the ice; during the second period he kept asking where the big truck went. Pete and I were worried that Charlie might not make it through the first period because the game started at 7:00, and that is his bedtime. He was a champ though! We made it through the second period, but we had to leave to get back for the dog. Next time we'll definitely get a sitter for the dog because we know Charlie will watch the whole game! On our way out, we bought Charlie a little hockey stick so he could start to practice around the house. He has not put the stick down since we came downstairs at 7:30! We just might have to recruit Andy to teach him how to play in the future! Thanks again, Andy, for getting us tickets to the game. It was so much fun for us and to see the joy in Charlie's eyes as he watched the game! We can't wait to see you and the rest of the family in a couple months!!