Big goings-on in the Big House this week – they put in a hockey rink so that Michigan and MSU can play on Saturday in front of a world-record 100,000+ people! They have had all sorts of games being played this week for all different levels of hockey, and tonight they let athletic department folks and their families come skate.
Before our skate, we watched Brendan skate in a game. When we walked in the stadium for that game (without Rick), Mallory had questions about the big machinery that was outside Rick’s football equipment room. I explained it was the refrigeration that keeps the ice cold.
After some nourishment at the Red Restaurant in between the kid game and our skate, we headed back to the stadium. Walking in that second time, Mallory informed Rick that those big things are what makes the ice. I love that she is such a sponge (and an engineer’s granddaughter!). Mallory & Carson were both excited about skating going in, but once Carson got skates on his feet, he became unexcited (it being his bedtime probably didn’t work to our favor).
Mallory’s enthusiasm didn’t wane as she came down the tunnel with Rick, and she stepped right on the ice (gripping Rick’s arms…but still, almost no fear). She even had a couple of stints of hands-free skating – no ankle-bending and she only fell a couple times (if you ask her, she’ll say she fell 80-hundred times, but that is a lie).
It was sooooo fun, and Mallory is already talking about going again. Unfortunately I think skating in the Big House was a once in a lifetime event but hopefully Yost will be a good substitute. I got my workout in carrying Carson around the ice a few times – I was feeling the burn!
I love how these pictures look like no one else is there skating! I promise I didn’t do any photoshopping :-)
Poor Carson and his tired, grumpy, poopy-diaper sad face 
Mallory sad that skating is over. Or she was mad that I wouldn’t let her take her helmet off until I took a picture of her. Either or.
Once in a Life Time is right, how totally cool