Three In A Row For USC

To round out what might have been the busiest weekend of 2011 we tailgated and went to the USC/Clemson game. Almost all of our usual tailgating friends were there and many of Glenn's lifelong friends and their wives as well. The sights of this game were almost as entertaining as the game itself.

It was a LONG but fun day with another great Gamecock WIN against the Tigers!!!

Senior Night at Byrnes

Last night was Senior Night at the Byrnes football game. This was also Clay's last night marching in high school and he had asked us to come for the parent/senior recognition. It was the coldest I have been in a long time as we sat through the first half of the game. At half time, the band performed part of their show and then each senior and his/her parents (we were lined up along the home side of the field) were introduced. Clay was all smiles during this and we were super proud of him.

Wounded Warrior Game -- USC vs. Auburn

It was a disappointing game. We lost. But, we had a great time anyway!

The girls: Sherrie, Victoria, me and Tammy

GAME....

Wounded Warrior Day Pre Show

Beat the Bulldogs!!!!

On Friday afternoon Glenn and I loaded up the Yukon and headed to Athens for the weekend. We've planned for months to go to the game and meet up with our friends, Rich and Andrea. And, it was great to see and spend time with them.

Dinner at DePalma's on Friday night was fabulous. I had a delicious meal of polenta and seafood pasta. But, the best part was spending time with Rich and Andrea, their friends Leigh and Jack, and our friends, Amy and Bryan. We had such a great time at our divided table ---4 UGA fans and 4 USC fans!

I woke up on Saturday running a fever and feeling terrible. So, instead of meeting Rich, Andrea, Leigh and Jack to tailgate we stayed in our room and watched ESPN so I could rest and try to feel better. Luckily after lunchtime the fever was gone and I felt like eating finally. By late afternoon we walked to the Holiday Inn where they were all tailgating as well as my in law's friends, Phil and Nina and their family and friends. We spent about an hour with everyone before trekking to the stadium for the game.

I hope you watched the game, because I really can't describe it. A UGA guy described his take after the game: "We were up, we were down, we were up, we were down, we were up, we were down....we lost." Change that for us to "WE WON!!!!" It was the most nervewracking, fingernail chewing game I have ever been to. I am so thankful I started feeling better and was able to go! Now, with this being 9/11's 10 year weekend, they did a beautiful remembrance. It started with a flyover before the game, recognitions of soldiers, emergency responders, etc. during time outs and the bands from both schools joined together for a patriotic tribute at half time, including a stirring version of "Amazing Grace", during which the first (and last) breeze blew through the stadium.

Afterwards we walked back to the Holiday Inn to post-tailgate with both sets of friends and get some food from the HI restaraunt (food was good, but that was an ordeal!).

It was the most fun away game Glenn and I have ever attended and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amy and me
my yum yum meal

Amy, me and Andrea

us and the Bordens

going in to Sanford Stadium

GAME.....COCKS!!

9/11 Flyover

both bands at halftime

WE WON!! WE BEAT THE DAWGS !!!!!

Almost Like Christmas!!

The first day of the Gamecock season is one of our favorites. We always look forward to wearing our Gamecock gear, tailgating and cheering on the team. This year's first game was on Saturday against ECU at Panther Stadium in Charlotte. After a not so good start to the morning (a rock hit and cracked the windshield to start!) we arrived, stopped at a great restaraunt, Vivace, for a quick lunch and then got a little lost. But it worked out beautifully because as we sat at a Dilworth stop light we saw my mother in law, Gwen and another friend of their's waiting to cross the street! Talk about timing!

Once we got in the right direction, we headed to a warehouse lot on Mint Street to tailgate with one of Glenn's vendors. It was a LOT of fun! One of his pest control buddies from Aiken, Scott (aka...DJ Sizzle) played tunes all afternoon and Mark, from Forshaw grilled up chicken, brats and more. The only downside is that the RV was supposed to be there and the guy in charge of it lost the keys! (He found them in the trash on Sunday morning!)

At the stadium, we waited for kick off and sat with friends, Judah and Connie. The first half was not so good....we were pretty sure ECU was going to win. I guess its proof that if we leave things turn around. Our friends were hungry and wanted to leave during half time so we did and went to Epicenter to watch the rest of the game and eat sushi. I'm glad we did....the Cocks staged quite a comeback and won!

my mother in law, Vickie, Gwen and us
first tailgate of the year!

the grill is fired up and check out the spread!

first "2001' of the 2011 season!

New Year's Eve at the Chick Fil A Bowl

New Year's Eve was spend leading up to the Chick Fil A Bowl. We started our day with lunch (and watching the Clemson game) at Dantanna's. Then we stopped at this place across from our hotel called The Dump. It is far from being a dump, though. Great furniture (especially the massaging recliners) and greater prices.

After a short rest we took MARTA to the Georgia Dome where we walked around watching the people and hoopla. We headed into our seats early. Mine was in the 140 section and the boys were up in the Mezzanine. I had a great view of the field, but about midway through the first quarter I went up to an empty seat with the guys.

Unfortunately, the Gamecocks lost, but it was a good time anyway.

Riding MARTA to the game and then I got to hold a live Gamecock!

Chick Fil A Bowl 2010...Ben's first bowl game

each person got one of the cows

he dropped even more cows

Having a great time even though the Gamecocks lost!

a touchdown...FINALLY

Our "First Honeymoon"

We were back from Las Vegas for 4 1/2 days when we packed up and headed off to the ATL for the SEC Championship. Although we lost to Auburn, we had a great time on our "first" honeymoon!

We left on Friday afternoon and arrived in time to attend a "President's Pigskin Preview" party at the Piedmont Driving Club hosted by President Pastides. The PDC was beautiful and although we didn't stay long (we wanted to go to Bluefin for dinner) I'm glad we stopped by.

And, We Lost.....

As we are winding down this year's football season, one more disappointing game was last night as we lost to Arkansas. Again I opted to stay out in the parking lot with Ben, Jan's daughter Leah and some other friends. This game we had Jan's whole family including her daughter Mallory and Kevin, Mallory's boyfriend, their friend, Steve and his daugther Jacie, Ruben, Hiram, Peggy and Tammy. Of course our friends from other spots and the Myrtle Beach crowd were all there. Ben loved meeting some other kids that tailgate in Carolina Walk Park and playing football with them! It was also a COLD day and night for a game...I made taco soup to warm everyone up!