Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers - 11-23-08

We owe thanks to Gil & Kerry for calling us when they had extra tickets!!! THANK YOU!!! You made my husband's week!! I joked to Gil (a work colleague of mine) that John had just brought home 6 dozen roses for me on Thursday. When Gil called me on Friday with the opportunity to take these tickets, I told him this would be my version of 12 dozen roses for John!! Needless to say John was thrilled and another Cowboy roadtrip was on tap for the weekend!!

As some of you may know - others may not - John has a very SET way to enjoy his Cowboy games. I may make light of it at times, but I love him and this is just something he really, really (really) enjoys!! It's the same thing each and every time like clockwork. I think perhaps the only thing that has changed is I refuse to stay at the seedy motel and have at least upgraded us to the Holiday Inn Express (which is pretty nice and reasonably priced). :-) Other than that, the rest of the planning and activities have remained true to his traditions - crazy as they may be.

First - hit the grocery and determine what the menu is for tailgating food and beverages of choice. Since the game started early this Sunday (noon), we opted for breakfast tacos made with egg, potatoes, onion, peppers, chorizo & bacon on fresh flour tortillas! All ingredients bought and in the cooler - CHECK!

Second, clothing planned. Check out this picture!! John doesn't know I snapped this picture but I couldn't resist!! No - there's no OCD tendencies here ... nah. LOL. This was at the hotel the night before. He has all his gear he will be wearing at the game for the next day layed out on the sofa ready to go!! A couple of shirts (one over the other), a couple of pants (one over the other), a couple of pairs of socks (yes, one over the other), various wrist bands, his Cowboy satchel (not sure what's in there), shoes and of course, his Cowboy hat. This represents John's GameDay Cowboy Outfit .... each and every gameday!! Gotta love him!

Third, be at the entrance to the parking lot a couple of hours prior to the gate even opening to let you in to the parking lot!! This has been his motto in the past. This time we slept a little longer and didn't get to the gate until (GASP) 7:30 am!! I laughed quite a bit because we were actually closer to the gate then we've ever been and they started opening it just a few minutes after we got there!! It was perfect and we didn't need to be there before sunrise!! Now.... I just don't think I'll be that lucky next time.

Fourth, park in the same place every single time! John has a specific parking place he likes to park in and the only way to ensure getting it is to ....... yes, get there before everyone else! The advantage of this spot is over the years you make friends with the folks who do the same thing he does. The picture to the left is with two guys (Cody & Keith) who John sees probably 1 - 2 times a year at the game in the parking lot. They greet each other like long lost friends each time! It's really very cool.

Fifth - unpack, cook, and hang out. Hanging out part is pretty long..... luckily, this week we had a noon game, so the hanging out part wasn't tooooo long. We'll see how well we keep the kiddos entertained on Thanksgiving!! John cooks.... I get to sit, wander around, take pictures, make friends, or read a book. Yeah... that's about it. I have learned... don't drink too much or you'll be making regular treks to the porta-potties....

Sixth - head to the stadium about 1.5 hours before the game. It's a LONG WALK to the stadium from where we park. I'm really not sure how far it is but it takes probably 20 - 30 minutes walking like cattle with everyone else. The fun thing is there are tailgaters lined up along the right side of this walk and everyone is hooping and hollering.... that's pretty funny to watch.

Seventh, enjoy the game!! Which we did in some fantastic ... and I mean FANTASTIC seats in the lower section (29) on the 25 yard line, row 20.... they were nice. I would call this the "binoculars not needed section"!!

Romo was playing this week and my little ole camera takes pretty good pictures from where I was today.

We head up there tomorrow to visit Laila & Justin and to go to the Thanksgiving game against the Seattle Seahawks. This will be Rachel and Stephen's first experience with going to a Dallas Cowboy game and tailgating in general. Perry is coming too which will be lots of fun for her to have this experience!!! The weather is calling for a chance of rain so we're praying it'll hold off until after the game. One thing I am happy about is it doesn't look like there will be snow like last year!! What's a little rain.....

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Go Cowboys!!

Go Longhorns!!!