Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
As if coming up in July to move Jayden and her belongings didn't
make it official enough, today it became officially official -
Jayden was moving into her dorm on the campus of Michigan State
University. Jay would be rooming with her friend from Riverview High
School, Avery, in Phillips Hall. The move-in process was well
organized, but a bit chaotic for those of us who haven't really done
this step before. We move all of her belongings up in carts, to her
second floor dorm room. We didn't know it at the time, but it turns
out Jay and Avery got one of the larger rooms in the dorm, as it is
beside the RA's room, and sticks out from the main building an extra
couple of feet, giving them a fair bit of extra space on the inside.
We helped the girls get their stuff set up with the assistance of
Avery's parents.
Once the room was set up to the girls liking (at least for the
time being), we headed down to the dining hall downstairs to enjoy a
meal. We were all impressed with the selection of options available
to them, though we would later find out from Jay that the meals are
extremely repetitive. Bummer.
Once we finished eating, we walked a bit of the campus, which you
can read about below... |
|
Michigan State University Move-In Day - Phillips
Hall
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Drew playing around with Tara on Jayden and Avery's futon.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay working on setting up her side of the room.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay standing near her girlfriend Hanna, as well as her roommate
Avery and her parents.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay was a feeling a tad overwhelmed at the amount of people in
her room as Avery does some organization.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jayden and Avery posing for a photo...
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
...and a close-up of the new roommates.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay and Avery, looking at Avery's side of the room...
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
...and looking at Jay's side.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
A close-up of Jay.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Tara, Jayden, and Rodney posing for a photo.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
A closer look at Tara, Jay, and Rod.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay giving a wry smile to the camera...
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
...before becoming a tad more serious.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay hoisting Avery in the air...
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
...to celebrate the start of their year together!
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jay giving the Peters Family salute!
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Drew joining Jay in giving the Peters Family salute!
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Jayden snuck in the salute to what was supposed to be the "nice"
picture with Drew.
|
|
|
After eating we walked around campus, heading to the bookstore
to check out the available Michigan State merchandise. We briefly
returned to the dorms, where we said our goodbyes and went our
separate ways. Jayden and Avery headed off to their freshman
orientation center held in the Breslin Center (home of the Spartans
basketball team) while Tara, Drew, and I headed over to Munn Ice
Arena (home of the Spartans hockey team) to check out one of the
activities there. We though Drew would like to add this sheet of ice
to his checklist, adding another famous rink to a list that includes
Joe Louis and Little Caesars Arenas (homes of the Detroit Red
Wings), Amalie Arena (home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Yost
Arena (home of the Michigan Wolverines hockey team), but alas, he
was uninterested. Once we wandered around the arena concourse, we
headed back to the car to make the drive home, minus one child. They
are definitely growing up, and I am definitely getting old! Good
luck Jayden. I love and miss you kiddo! |
|
Michigan State University Move-In Day - Campus
Walk
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Avery, Jayden, and Hanna walking across campus...
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
...otherwise known as Large, Medium, and Small!
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
Tara entering Munn Ice Arena for one of the activities that took
place during the move-in days (and the only one we attended).
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
A look across the skating surface of Munn Ice Arena.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
A hockey stick bench dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos, whose
team was involved in a tragic bus crash in 2018.
|
|
|
_small.jpg) |
The Military Honor Chair, a nice touch - saving a seat for those
who have gone missing during military duty.
|
|
|
|