Keith managed to get a pair of tickets, but weren't sure how we could actually go the game together. We didn't have a babysitter at the time and kick-off wasn't until 6:00pm on a Sunday night. With the game fast approaching, Keith started to try and figure out who he could ask to go with him to the game. I was disappointed but definitely wasn't going to have him miss the game.
Then one of my old high-school friends--who just happens to live in London with her British hubby and was also headed to the game--came to the rescue. (Thanks again, Cara!) Her sister-in-law's goddaughter was willing to come and watch the girls at a hotel for us. (And thanks to Jess!) I was comfortable because the sitter was at least connected to someone I knew, and Hannah & Maggie were willing to cooperate. . so it was GAME ON!
23rd October 2011. . .it was a beautiful day. . we were so excited to be on the road to London. We stopped at services (like O'Hare Oasis/rest stop, etc) for lunch; the place was filled with fans headed to the game in American football jerseys!! It was very cool (and a little bizarre) to see so many different US teams represented. And it was like that the whole day. . at the rest stop, at the hotel, on the train, at the pub, at the game. . .everywhere we went we saw NFL fans--both British and American. Packers, Jets, Bears, Saints, Colts. . you name a team, we saw a jersey!
After getting the girls settled in at the hotel, we took the Tube to meet Cara and Jill (another high school friend) at a pub to have a beer before the game. The pub was filled with football fans. . .it was fabulous to drink and chat and relax!!
Cara, Jill, & I
These girls were actually British. . kind of put my fan dedication to shame!!
The "Buccaneer" we talked to on the train up to the game. AARGH!
So we were enjoying Marks & Spencer Cosmos in a can on the train. . .
. . .Keith was not. :)
A little bit of Tennessee in the train station.
Our first view of Wembley. . very nice stadium!
Jill & I. . .had on the nearly the same shirt! :)
We didn't make it there in time to tailgate; one of the guys working said they had to shut it down early anyway because they ran out of food/drink, etc. Ribs, BBQ, and other American-style food was being served. . . Oh, well. .maybe next year!
Our tickets had us entering via Club Wembley. . we felt very posh!!
The Goo-Goo Dolls performed pre-game.
There was a man and his grandson from Chicago sitting behind us; we ended up finding out that he knew Brummels from growing up in Naperville. Just in front and to the left of us was a man who owned a restaurant in Ottawa, about 30 minutes from where I grew up. It's a small world!
Keith did actually watch a few minutes of the game, too!
Lovie Smith
VICTORY!!
Brian Urlacher
These guys made the news here!
The gigantic queues to get out of the stadium were oh so very orderly. . .I love that about England!
We had such great time. . I am so glad that we were both able to go to the game! It was a late night getting back to the hotel and a early morning for the London Zoo the next day. .but it was worth it! It's the Rams v Patriots in 2012. . I guess I'll have to see how the Superbowl goes to know who to root for! :)
