IU Football

A few weeks ago my in-laws asked if I wanted to go to a football with the big boys, not only would they watch our little boys but they would also buy my ticket.  This is a no brainer.   In the 7 years since I've been up to IU football game, Scott has perfected the art of tailgating.  They didn't do this my last trip up there.  I had visions of kicking my feet up and hanging by the tent all day.  When I found out the game was going to be at noon we had to get creative.  The first act of creativity was to leave the house around 6:30.  We made it up to Bloomington shortly after 8 and in no time at all we were set up ready to go.  Scott has the packing and setting up and taking down to a science.

 

 Although it warmed up to near 70 today but this morning was freezing.  Lucky for me I bought a super cute ear warming headband up at the outlets last week.  It's cute on, hair not so cute once you take it off.

 Instead of the usual hot dogs and hamburgers, our next act of creativity was pancakes, eggs, and sausage.  Scott is the man!!!  He cooked us all up a delicious breakfast.

 We had about 3 hours to spare from the time we arrived until it was time to make our way into the game, those three hours flew by.  In between pancakes rounds we walked up to the stadium to watch "The Walk".  The football players and coaches all walk from buses (they all stay together in a hotel before game day) to the stadium while the band plays.  There isn't a whole lot of people around when they do this, it's really just a tradition Scott & Steve like to watch when they go up there.

 It also gave us some time to get a picture of us, like this one with Steve's drunk face.

 Or this one with Steve's mid sentence face.

 

Or this one with our not impressed face.  This look will come in handy much later in the day.

 

A few years ago Scott bought some bricks through a fund raiser of some sort, I think this was the first time I got to see them in person.

 We found a pretty tree, that's all.

 I'm not sure how long they have had their season tickets, it's been at least since Steve was in high school, maybe longer.  After almost 20 years you eventually get good seats.  This was our view, without a zoom.  Not too shabby.

When they players run out on the field, they all touch Hep's Rock, named after late coach Terry Hoeppner.  He passed away during the 2007 season.  They went on to beat Purdue in the final seconds to become bowl eligible that season. 

 I have visions of this being Cooper one day. 

 There is a reason I'm not talking about the game yet, more on that in a minute.  Probably the highlight was some members of the armed forces doing Gangham Style with some IU dancers.

 

Remember out not impressed faces?  IU got hammered! It ended up being 62-14 or something like that.  We left at the beginning of the 4th quarter and they rarely leave early.  It was just bad.  IU hasn't been to a bowl game since 2007 and that was the first in a long time.  If they win their next two games there is still a chance they may go again this year.   Ohio State and Penn State are not eligible for post-season play this year.  Ohio State probably cheated and I'm sure I don't need to go into details about Penn State.  So even though Indiana isn't all that great, had they won today there is chance they could have played for the Big 10 championship.  The winner of the Big 10 gets to go to the Rose Bowl.  In Pasadena.  You know, like the Rose Parade on New Years Day.  For IU this was a once in our lifetime opportunity.  There were lots of ifs going into this and today was the first one.  It didn't pan out and in a big way. 

 

Despite the loss it was a great day for me.  Steve & I both get days to ourselves separately, but never with each other.  We talked tonight and I think this may have been our first since before Cameron was born.  Much, much needed day together.  It wouldn't have been possible without my in-laws so a huge thank you to them and for Scott and his friend Jere for putting up with me all day.  Love you guys!!!