A Win in Our Book

First thing is first.  Tuff had his exit meeting today and was told they are not making any decisions yet as to sign him back or not.   Most teams are doing the same as they are not sure what will happen March third, when the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires.  There is still no way of knowing if a lockout is going to happen or not.  So in the meantime we will wait it out in Pittsburgh and Tuff will continue to rehab his shoulder. 

Well we made it back to Pittsburgh safely from the whole Super Bowl experience and what a time it was!
It started in Pittsburgh Friday with a pep rally at Heinz Field. 

Tuff left with the team on Monday and got the full experience.  The next five pictures are from the Steelers website from the week prior to the big game.

Signing footballs.

Tuff at his locker with Daniel and Tyler.

Tuff at his locker getting the little camera ready.

Team picture...look for #31.

Daniel and Tuff watching practice.

Tuff brought our little camera to take some photos.  Below he is dressed in his Super Bowl uniform, standing in front of the white screen they used for individual photos.

He gathered some teammates for a photo.

Troy and Tuff pose for a picture after the team photo.

Check out all the ice in the parking lot.

Tuesday was media day and Tuff became somewhat of a celebrity.  Check out minute 3:41 and on for a Tuff Harris special:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHWLnVFiroM

Also from media day:  After clicking the link below, scroll down and click play to listen to the interview.
http://werlv.com/Super-Bowl-XLV-interview--Steelers--Tuff-Harris-loves-his-former-coach-Bobby-Hau/9047734?pid=36286
 
Friday I arrived on a family charter flight.  It was a pretty cool experience not having to go through the airport.  Below is a picture from the bus taking us from the airport to the hotel.

All the family (Tuff's mom and dad/uncle and my mom and dad) made it to town by Friday evening and we enjoyed some real Texas roadhouse food.

Saturday morning all the families and friends were bussed to Texas Christian University, where the Steelers practiced.

After practice we took some photos with some Steelers.

We could not help but try on these Texas sized hats at the merchandise sale at the hotel.

Later Saturday afternoon we visited the Fort Worth Stock Yards.

Tuff made me ride a mechanical bull.

The result.

We had some fun shopping, including the cowboy hat in the picture below for Tuff.  I am not sure, is he wrestling a steer?

Texas longhorn ring...loved it.

The man in the photo below trained a dog, cat, and mouse to do this.  Amazing.

The big attraction at the Stock Yards is the twice daily cattle drive.  Thousands of people lined the streets for the main event.  Little did we know there were only about 15 head of cattle involved.  Still pretty fun.

Sunday morning we were treated to a big brunch then headed to the game about 3.5 hours prior to kickoff.  From the Omni Hotel, 38 buses left.

Made it to the stadium!

Mud was everywhere from the snow melting.  Yuck.

Everything was going so great until we hit the entrance.  Thousands of people were waiting and confused as to where to go.

We got in just over two hours later.  Melody and I sat together.  My mom and dad sat together and Tuff's dad and uncle sat together.  Kind of weird that our tickets were not together.  This happened to a lot of
Tuff's teammates too.  At least we got two tickets together so we could sit by someone we knew.

Tuff watching warm ups.

Our view of the big screen.

I found my dad and mom WAAAAAAAAAY across the stadium.  Can you see them?

National Anthem.

Coin toss.

Half time aid from the crowd.  Under every seat were glow sticks for some of the special effects in the half time show.

It was a fantastic live performance.

Just before the second half Tuff and Tyler walked around the stadium looking for family to waive at.

Most of you know, the game ended in a loss for the Steelers but there still was an after party with excellent food and entertainment.  Sean Kingston was part of the entertainment and Slash made it to the party.  Actually my dad mistook Slash for Troy from behind because of the hair!

First thing Monday morning the charter flight left for Pittsburgh.  This time I got to fly with Tuff.

Downtown Fort Worth in the distance.

All in all it was both wonderful and exhausting.

Tuff and Mary are Going to the Super Bowl

Our friend Mike flew in from Nashville Saturday and we enjoyed a birthday meal for Tuff at one of Tuff's favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh, Emiliano's.  And Sunday, well Sunday was just awesome.  We started the day out at church and heard an excellent sermon, then headed off to the Strip for some Steelers gear shopping, then pregame nap and on to the game.  The rest is history and we are headed to Dallas, Texas for the Super Bowl!

Me and Mike pregame.

Tuff on the sidelines.

Martina McBride sang the national anthem.

Tuff and Daniel, standing on a bench watching defense dominate in the first half.

Tuff warms his buns.

Steelers force a fumble.

Pittsburgh is going to the Super Bowl.

We do not know any details yet as far as Super Bowl itinerary goes or whether Tuff gets a ring or how many tickets we get or anything.  Hopefully we will know soon so we can get to planning.  So fun.  Last but not least Happy Birthday to Tuff yesterday.  He turned 28!  

Here are some pics that my brother took from watching the game at home and freezing the screen.  The Harris Boys.

Tuff and Tomlin.

Our Christmas and New Years

Hello everyone. It seems like Christmas was a long time ago but it was only two weeks back. Tuff and I traveled to Minnesota. The first day we got to spend the evening and next day with my brother and his wife and kids. They are doing a wonderful job raising their three young boys; Soren 2, Lukas and Bjorn, 9 months.




For Christmas Eve, we, and about 35 others, went to my Grandma Rach's house. Sticking with tradition, we sang Christmas carols and enjoyed catching up with everyone.

Some of the craziness.


Some of the cousins.


Little Bo practicing cousin Bridgette's trick, "levitation."


On Chritmas Day we stayed at my parents house for the Hasselberg family Christmas. This year we all wore Christmas sweaters, so Tuff and I got plenty of use from ours this year.


Straight face photo, with the exception of the front row, who could not hold a straight face.


Goofy group photo.


Sledding at the end of the day.


We also spent some time with my Grandpa and Georgia at the Care Center. This is where we got hooked on puzzles.

The next day we swung by my sisters house and checked out thier man made hockey rink.

Finn and Duff


Against the boards is the rink master, my dad. He makes sure the ice is ready for optimal skating.


Our trip to Minnesota was short but I did get a chance to see all my family, my friends the Rachels as well as Krista.

For the new year we traveled to Wheeling, West Virginia to meet up with our friends from Nashville, Mike and Leslie. We spent the night at Mike's dad's home. Below is the new years group photo.


On new years day we celebrated with a Polish tradition, sourkraut and pork. We also stayed in our pajamas the entire day and put together a 750 piece puzzle. Good times.


Puzzles will make you crazy!


On our drive back home we drove up to Mt. Washington to snap a picture of the Winter Classic hockey game going on. By this time it was raining pretty good.


Last night at high school ministry, Blitz, Tuff gave the message. He spoke on being a light to others in all areas of your life. "What happens in Blitz does not stay in Blitz."

Other news includes the Steelers will be playing the Ravens this Saturday for the second round of the playoffs. Go Steelers!