<p>We are and we are PUMPED! Can't wait to see the huge game - with Wisconsin's victory over Ohio St they will have lots of momentum behind them. Really a key game for the Hawkeyes. Kinnick will be insane.</p>
<p>And it'll be great to see our son. He's excited, which is gratifying after his 2 months away, and has assembled a big group of friends and their families for dinner Saturday night. And his friends have adopted our 16 year old daughter (wife and I are not entirely sure that's a good thing given the predatory nature of 18 year old boys, but...) and promise to find her a spot in the student section for the game.</p>
<p>And wife and I can't wait to find at least a few answers to nagging questions: is he STUDYING, for pete's sake? Living in squallor? Brushing his TEETH??</p>
<p>He Skype'd us last night - only the second time he's done so - and he seems comfortable and happy. Confident. Clearly enjoying the independence. That was our plan, after all! :)</p>
<p>Have fun! We’re not going due to no tickets and our other kid’s team is playing here so he’ll be home and bringing his girlfriend. We might go to Iowa City in two more weeks for his birthday unless he decides to come home. Go Hawkeyes!</p>
<p>We’ll be there - it’s the 5th and final year for us, so it will be bittersweet. Try to get to the Rec Center about 1 1/4 hours prior to kickoff to see the marching band’s show - it really gets you psyched for the game. The Rec Center is just to the northwest of the stadium. Also, the pancake breakfast in the Union for the Family Weekend attendees is very good. Have a great time!</p>
<p>We’ll be there – really looking to hugging and seeing (besides Skype) our Happy Hawkeye for the first time in 2+ months. Mom and brother have never been to Iowa City so doubly exciting for them. And also looking forward to my Big Ten football fix and a great game and setting! </p>
<p>Any other suggestions on restaurants for Saturday breakfast/lunch/brunch, Saturday dinner, or Sunday brunch – looking for nice but casual, and someplace that will not be super crowded, if there is a such a place on Family Wknd?</p>
<p>Orchard Green, on S. Gilbert Street, is very nice. We’ve had dinner there a couple of times, and had brunch there the morning of the Penn State game. $12 per person, all you can eat. [Home</a> | Orchard Green Restaurant](<a href=“http://www.orchardgreenrestaurant.com%5DHome”>http://www.orchardgreenrestaurant.com)</p>
<p>We enjoyed Mondo’s on College St. Sort of a “nouvelle” twist on Mexican in a dive bar setting (hey, it’s a college town). They were serving outdoors when we were there for orientation, which was nice as it’s a pedestrian street. Good beer selection and lots of drink and appetizer specials. Most items under $12. I’d say it’s a solid choice but don’t pass 3 places that look good to you trying to get here.</p>
<p>Great to hear from everyone. Sorry - haven’t been on CC for the past couple of days. Our whole family’s coming. Haven’t seen our D for several weeks. Our oldest S is road tripping down from Madison so we’ll have the whole family together. Son’s talking smack since UW beat #1 OSU last weekend. Decidely mixed family loyalties. Daughter loves the Hawks. Son loves the Badgers. Wife, youngest son and I will just have fun at the game. Only conflict is that our youngest son’s HS soccer team is playing in section finals late Friday afternoon, 10/22, for HS boys soccer here in MN. We’ll get down to Iowa City late Friday night. I guess we’ll just have to catch up.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the restaurant suggestions.</p>
<p>Just a quick update on the weekend – we had a very nice time. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express by the mall – super convenient for a quick shopping mall trip for a winter jacket, eating, Hawkeye Express (which we took the game). Game was great aside from the outcome (except for those among us with Badger leanings). Dining was uneventful (we wound up doing the Olive Garden and Buffalo Wild Wings, optimized around what was easy at the time). Our Hawk seems to be having a lot of fun, but was a little worn out.</p>