Over the weekend, we packed up the van and went with the kids cousins and Aunt Sharon, Aunt Linda and Uncle Shaun down to Champaign to take in the Fighting Illini football game against the Michigan State Spartans.
We've been down there for football before. Here's a post from 2013 when we all went down to enjoy the game. Here's the time in 2012 when we drove down for the Spring game. And even took Eloise to Homecoming back in 2010 before she turned one.
But, this was the first time for Frankie. And that made this trip special and a lot of fun. Above at the top, you'll see Frank dressed in his best orange and blue jumper meeting Red Grange. The University has a student dressed up in an old-timey football outfit standing in the "Grange Grove" to pose for photos. Kinda neat! Frankie liked him, but was shy.
After getting into the stadium, we went to a little pre-game party in what they call the "Legacy Lounge". From there, we ate and drank and had a really great view of all the pregame festivities. Here's SD taking in the Marching Illini on my shoulders.
In the Legacy Lounge, they have photos of all the past Fighting Illini Football teams. It was fun to find me in the team photos from the late 1990's. Here's me showing Ellie and taking a photo of the photo. (How very meta, right?)
And here's one of the team photos. You can see me up at the top row of players wearing #44 along with the other specialists (kickers, punters, long snappers).
Nat and Aunt Sharon and Linda loved the pre-game. Especially the Bloody Marys.
As the game started, we made our way to our seats. The girls were able to spend some time with their 'big girl' cousins who were there to take in all the sights of campus. They're Juniors in High School now, so College selection is coming soon. Hopefully, with Moms as alums, they were already pre-disposed to U of I. But, hopefully this little trip made a good impression on them, too!
Here's me and my boy. Taking in *my* team. Which, I hope will one day, be *his* team!
Me and my Ellie at one of my happiest of places on earth. Love this.
I - L - L... I - N - I!
After the game, we went to my fraternity house for a visit, a bathroom break and a little bit of reminiscing. The place has gone down hill since I left, but I still love it!
And what trip to Champaign would be complete without a stop at the Alma Mater? Here all seven kids, including the Big Beef in his stroller, climbed up on her and posed for a picture of a lifetime!
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