Meet the Pack!

Go Pack!  We have to support the Wolfpack of N.C. State University around here since Daddy is a former wolf.  Probably his favorite part of being back in the Raleigh area is being in Wolfpack territory again.  Hopefully, this will allow more opportunities to go to sporting events.  While we miss being in our beloved Panther territory in Charlotte and getting to experience Panther Fan Fest at this time of year, I am glad that Daddy can share more of his love for the Wolfpack with his boys.  I foresee at least one of these boys being a future member of the Pack.

Lots of red greets us at the gate. 

Evan shows off his football throwing skills.  He stood back where the adults stand and made the pass on the first try.  He definitely has aspirations of being a future quarterback. 

Brody stood a little closer for his chance. 

He likely needs a little work on his throwing technique. 

But he got the job done and was very proud of the little football he "earned." 

Getting stuff signed by the new head coach. 

The boys with the Coach. 

Does this face say he prefers the Tarheels?  Haha!  To tell you the truth, we are just glad to escape the wacky South Carolina Gamecocks colors that often bombarded us in Charlotte.  We are North Carolinians, born and bred!  UNC or NCSU is okay with me...just no Duke fans for us! 

Meeting the real "wolf."  And this was the sweetest and best behaved dog.  I felt so bad for him in that heat, but he handled it like a champ.  Tuffy the dog is the Wolfpack's live mascot.  The Wolfpack had a long history of failed attempts at trying to have a live mascot, but wolves are not known for their love of humans and did not do well in packed and loud football stadiums.  This "wolf" dog is a Tamaskan, a special mixed breed of German Shepherd, Alaskan malamute, and Siberian Husky that looks like a wolf.  

Evan is a more cautious animal lover. 

But Brody doesn't mind getting right down on the animal's level.  He loves dogs! 

Checking out the wolf mobile.  I am not actually sure what the car is called.    

Evan demonstrating his football throwing stance. 

Standing with the wolf statue in the stadium.  

Brody really wanted a giant finger.  Haha! 

He settled for a little one, and we did get Evan a new hat since Brody is wearing his old one. 

Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Wolf.

I had to jump in the shot. 

And last week, we visited NC State's campus for another special treat.  NC State is known for being an engineering, tech, and agricultural sciences school with a prestigious veterinary school.  The school raises its own livestock and has a dairy farm which produces its own ice cream called Howling Cow.  You can purchase the ice cream in several locations around the school so we enjoyed visiting the newly rebuilt student center for a sweet, cool treat last Friday.  Of course, that Friday was also move in day for the students so it was fun and a bit crazy with all the students there.  I think Eddie realized he can no longer pass himself off as a traditional college student anymore.  Ha!   

Labor Day Weekend ~ First N.C. State Football Game

We didn't have any big plans for Labor Day weekend.  We were going to just spend a nice and relaxing weekend at home sleeping late and going to our neighborhood pool.  It was going to be great.  On Friday evening, Eddie mentioned that he saw a post from his alma mater that they were selling discounted tickets to the Opening Day football game.  I, being the supportive wife that I am, told my husband he should have bought the tickets because he and the boys would love going to a game.  College football tickets are expensive unless you know somebody, and we have just never taken an opportunity to go to a game since having kids.  We went to N.C. State's bowl game in 2006 here in Charlotte, but Eddie had not been to a game at home since he was in college. Although I am not a fan of watching football on TV, I actually don't mind going to games. Football on TV is boring, but there is always so much to see at the games.  Anyway, Eddie thought about the opportunity more Friday night, and in the morning, he decided we needed to go.  He got on the computer and ordered the tickets.  The game started at 12:30 so we had to get the kids up, eat breakfast, and pack our overnight bags very quickly.  We could have driven to Raleigh and back in one day, but we decided that it would be nice to make a weekend of it and had plans for other things we wanted to do.  The drive to Raleigh from Charlotte is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours so we were pushing it to make it to the game by kickoff.  We made good time, but unfortunately kickoff happened while we were still in the parking lot of the stadium.  The game got off to a fast start and State scored two touchdowns before we even got to our seats.  One touchdown occurred on the very first play when State's starting quarterback threw a 93 yard pass.  It sounded like an amazing play, and I was sad to have missed it.  The play actually resulted in the quarterback getting injured, and sadly, he will be out for the next few weeks.  The rest of the game was still good although we didn't see any plays that topped that one.  It was a hot day, but thankfully, we were sitting on the side with the box seats and building behind us so we were in the shade before the end of the first quarter.  Unfortunately, I still got a little sunburned during that 1st quarter.  Ha!

The score when we got to our seats after two touchdowns and a field goal.  Carter-Finley Stadium got some major upgrades in the last few years, and everything was very nice. 

N.C. State has the ball. 

The flags flying after we scored! 

We had to eat after we got to our seats because we didn't want to take time to get something on the way.  Evan enjoyed his pizza, Brody ate his whole hot dog (bun and all), and Daddy and Mommy had Chick-fil-a sandwiches.  

The biggest fan! 

He was so excited to be at his first real football game! 

During the halftime show, the band formed the shape of the state. 

This building was part of the new additions to the stadium. 

The team comes out of a wolves' den. 

Eddie and his boys enjoying the game together.  Priceless! 

I have to say that N.C. State actually has some of the sweetest guys, and these are just some of them.  That's why I enjoyed hanging out at State so much while I was in college!  ;-) 

Go Wolfpack! 

Poor Louisiana Tech didn't stand a chance.  

One of the many wolf statues around the school. 

The flags were flying proudly on a beautiful day. 

A field goal was scored. 

Wolfie comes out to cheer on the team. 

Wolfie doing some push ups.  How do mascots do push ups in those heavy and very hot costumes? 

Some of the students helped Wolfie climb the wall.  

Always have to have a few students paint their chests, right? 

Let's go, pack! 

About to score again! 

And another field goal!  This is the final score. 

The team leaving the field. 

Daddy and his boys pose for a picture after the game. 

I love State boys! 

Posing in front of the cool fountain in front of the stadium. 

Someone took a family picture. 

Beautiful wolves. 

My sweet boys. 

We enjoyed lots more fun on our little mini vacation!