Last weekend we were able to fulfill one of Brandon's childhood dreams: visiting the ND campus and going to a football game in the Irish stadium. It was an amazing experience to say the least. We flew into Chicago on Friday morning with Charlotte, Justin picked us up, and we headed to South Bend. What a cute town and beautiful campus! Tricia and Justin did a great job giving us the Irish experience from touring the campus on Friday to attending all of the pre-game events on Saturday, to visiting their church on Sunday. We also were able to eat at some great restaurants like the legendary pizza place "Rocco's" and walked around downtown South Bend where the College Football Hall of Fame is located. It was simply a wonderful weekend.
Justin and Tricia have the cutest house too. I kept telling Brandon that he was pretty much looking at how I would decorate our first house! Sure am glad he liked it. And of course he made himself at home because every morning we would wake up to music coming from the kitchen and the smell of Brandon making coffee and breakfast! I think the cool weather and close proximity to Notre Dame put some serious spring in his step. And to top it all off, the Irish were victorious over Michigan State 33-30! Go Irish! And all credit goes to Charlotte who gave high fives to all the players as they walked to the stadium. She did really well on the trip and pretty much made it seem like we were not traveling with a child. Such a sweet little lady. We are missing ND already and wishing we lived closer to the Duntons because they pretty much rock!
First stop on our campus tour was the stadium of course
The view from the tunnel
Two very happy men
Charlotte's first visit to ND
Back through the tunnel
A little bit of history
Touchdown Jesus
The Golden Dome
Game day, walking through the tailgating scene
Charlotte cruised around in the stroller soaking it all up
Gearing up for kickoff
The game day buzz was in full swing.
I wanted Brandon to wear one of these wigs, but oh well, at least someone did!
Waiting for the players to walk from the pre-game Mass to the stadium
Where is Charlotte? Somewhere under that hat?
There she is and she loves Tricia!
Of course we need a little bagpipe and kilt action
Charlotte had her arm out ready for the players to walk by
Here they come...
No one skipped Charlotte!
Heading over to hear the band play and grab a burger
Brandon introducing Charlotte to the Irish fight song!
At the "Concert on the Steps" where the band
plays their half-time field show before the game.
The girls getting ready to hand Charlotte off to her babysitter
while the guys followed the band into the stadium.
The Irish Guard who "protect the band" were pretty intense. They are all about 6'3" and very serious.
The national anthem and raising of the flag.
Everything was steeped in tradition.
The band forms an N and a D that the players run through as the enter the field
Here come the Irish!
The view from our seats was really good. Tricia and I sat together which was really fun and I think we were yelling just as loud as anyone!
Touchdown!
Pumping people in the students' section after the TD
rushing the field after the Irish victory!
Can you find Brandon and Justin in the students section?
The playing of the Alma Mader
Victory is Sweet!
post game pic...we are so happy the Irish won!
Especially because our husbands are in a great mood!
They survived the Students' section!
Knute and the College Football Hall of Fame
Note Brandon's Le Peep cup...delish!
The boys checking out some football history
Brandon and Charlotte chillin' in the Dunton's living room.
Hmmm...
Goodbye Notre Dame!
It was a wonderful trip and since Jackson didn't come along this time, Tricia and I have already decided that Justin and Brandon will have to make a pilgrimage back to ND for a game with their sons someday!
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