National Championship Game - Phoenix, AZ

After almost getting Halle back to a regular schedule once we returned from Oregon, Halle and I left to go to the National Championship football game in Phoenix, Arizona this past Friday. Halle was a SUPER traveler and made it very easy for me to travel by myself. Even though the Ducks lost, we had a great time at the game and a great weekend spending time with family. It also felt really good to be in warm weather and not have to wear coats...I was just happy walking around outside with flip flops!!

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to go to the game. The indoor University of Phoenix stadium was huge and it was so much fun to be there. The atmosphere walking into the game was amazing and it was great to be in an Oregon section (3/4 of the stadium were Auburn fans) to be able to celebrate with Duck fans around us when we scored. Thanks to my parents for an awesome experience! And, thanks to Jen, Andrew and Carter (who happen to be in Phoenix for 6 weeks for a med school rotation) for watching Halle so that I could enjoy the game!

We got back last night after our already late flight got delayed and though Halle is super easy to travel with (she slept from take off to the baggage claim area in MSP!) I was worried about getting to the shuttle lot and driving home at 1am. Luckily, I have the best husband in the world and he took the shuttle from Rochester at 7pm and then waited at the airport to surprise us so we wouldn't have to drive home by ourselves. I was so thankful for that. We got back at 2am and he had to wake up at 5am...bless his heart!!

Enjoying the weather on a walk to Fashion Square Mall while waiting for family to arriveWith Papa at a Fiesta Bowl event - she loved being outside in the warm weather outside of her car seat!!She loves being with Nana and Papa!Starting her early to be a Duck fan!The weather was gorgeous - it was hard to come back to the freezing cold weatherValerie (a wife of one of the ortho residents) is doing a pediatric rotation in Phoenix so she met us for dinner one night - it was fun to see her!She loves Auntie Nay Nay!All dressed up for the pep rally in the tutu I made for her!Even though we had ear protectors for her, the pep rally was way too loud and crowded so Halle and I listened from afarThe fam (besides Kyle who stayed home for school) after the pep rally - Renee is on the phone with Jeff!Happy to be back at the hotel after all the noise from the pep rally!At breakfast the morning of the game!In her "lucky" Oregon outfit which failed us this time...oh well, she still looks cute!Kicking up her foot while eating lunch outside before the game at Paradise Bakery - we ate there several times...they have the best cookies!Spending as much time with her as possible before leaving her with Jen...

Go Ducks! It was hard to say good-bye to this face...but she was in great hands!

Outside the stadium

Dad and Mom

Proof that I was actually there!

The stadium was indoors and it was huge!We were 3 rows from the top but it was still fun to be there!In a sea of Oregon fans!

Sisters!
A picture Jen sent me from her phone of her and Andrew feeding Halle some food which she loves - Carter is so cute in the background!

After picking up Halle close to midnight (which is why we both look tired!) we stopped at In-N-Out where we waited in line close to 45 minutes - I don't think they expected so many fans!