We {LOVE} Our Ducks!

In November, Chad and I made the drive across the state to watch the Mighty Ducks play at dear old Autzen Stadium. It was Chad's first game at Autzen since 2007 and only his third ever! We went to the unfortunate Oregon v. USC game and witnessed the devastating loss to the Trojans, however - we had a great time!
We left Friday afternoon and made it over Santiam Pass with no problems - though there was plenty of snow along the way. Since we got into town pretty late, we decided to hit the hay so we would be in tip-top shape for our Saturday tailgating activities.

Saturday we started the day by going to the Duck Store to do a little Christmas shopping and to add to my vast Oregon gear collection. I took Chad to breakfast at Taylor's Bar - which is across the street from campus and from the Duck Store. It's a little different in there when you aren't a student :) but the food and drinks were good and the early football games were on - always a plus!

Beth (KKG advisor) snagged us two tickets and a parking pass for the game - which was awesome so we met up at the Sheehan/Walton household to hang out, taste-test the "adult hot chocolate" debuting at their tailgate later that day, and simply catch up! It was so good to see Beth, Chris, and the whole family - I have missed them and after we left I reminisced with Chad about how their home was very much like a "home away from home" while I was at college - a getaway from the college life. You see, I was one of the Kappa babysitters for their son Rory and my, he has grown since I saw him last (it has been well over three years)! We both think the world of their family and hope to see them sometime soon on our side of the state - hint hint!

We finally made our way into the tailgating parking lot and met up with McKenzie (KKG Big Sis) and her husband Brian to get our party on! They are definitely some of my favorite people and we love catching up with them anytime we can. They are the other couple in the photo collage with a camo'd man and "O" eye-black'd woman! Great minds think alike :)

Half-time was spent at the Sheehan/Walton tailgater drinking the last of the "adult hot chocolate" and snacking on the (seriously) gourmet tailgate food comprised of a yummy cheese tray, smoked salmon, lasagna, and other goodies!

The game was exciting, cold, and a bit sad at the end - but as Chad reminded me, " we won the party". After the game, we met up with McKenzie and Brian to drown our sorrows at McMenamins and to snack on some of my favorite tater tots (honestly they are the best around).

The next morning, we hit the road and managed to have clear blue skies and clear roads most of the way - don't worry, we did stop at Sno Cap for a milkshake - a must if you are in Sisters!

Until next year! We love our Ducks and we're hoping for a big Rose Bowl win against the Wisconsin Badgers!

*P.S. That hat? It's a one-of-a-kind Oregon Duck hat courtesy of Grandma Barbara!