I'm going to go ahead and warn you these posts will be long and full of pictures :)
We flew out on Monday morning (Stephen's birthday) and we were so lucky that both our flights this trip took off on time and landed early, going and coming home...I'm pretty sure it's some kind of miracle! Jake is a super traveler and both flights were really easy thanks to our trusty friends the portable dvd player and ipad, shout out!
We arrived at DFW with plenty of time to grab some drinks and snacks for the flight. Jake loved watching the planes out the windows. He was really excited to fly on "the big airplane."
Some fun pics before take off
Jake's new favorite, silly face pictures
We landed at O'Hare and made our way to the parking lot. Jake loved the mobile sidewalks.
Jake and Grammy
My first stop after the airport is ALWAYS Portillo's: Italian beef sandwich, cheese fries, and a root beer. It's seriously unhealthy, but seriously delicious! My very most favorite restaurant!
Mamaw put Jake to work right away; getting her mail and watering her flowers
Since it was Stephen's birthday, he got to pick what he wanted for dinner and he chose Chicago style pizza, so we were off to Girodano's, yum!
Almost a for real smile from Mamaw
Heavenly, Mom and I got plain ol' cheese
Stephen got a 'man' pizza: there were 6 kinds of meat on it and he added peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. He said it was awesome.
Jake and Mamaw shared a plain old thin crust pepperoni...he doesn't know what he is missing!
On Tuesday morning, we woke up and drove 2 hours to South Bend, Indiana...home of Notre Dame and Stephen's sister, Dawn, and her fiance, Nick. They both work for Notre Dame: Dawn is the assistant women's soccer coach and Nick works with the hockey team on their video staff. Their work schedules are crazy and we only get to see them once a year, so we always try to make a trip over to see them when we are in Chicago. We were extra lucky because they had time to give us some of the 'behind the scenes' tour of Notre Dame. It was Jake's first trip to the campus and he was very excited to see all things "Go Irish."
Dawn, Stephen, and Jake inside the ice arena.
We have been watching a lot of hockey at our house lately (Go Blackhawks!) so Jake was very interested in everything.
One of the coaches was doing a private skills lesson. Jake loved watching the 'hockey players.'
Next, Nick took us into the team area to show us all the cool stuff.
First stop: the team lounge. Foosball table, ping pong table, TVs, etc.
Jake's favorite was the custom Notre Dame bubble hockey game. Uncle Nick turned it on and I didn't think we would ever get Jake out of there! He beat Uncle Nick 2-1.
All the hallways in the team area have player murals, game murals, etc...very cool!
They have a NHL wall. All Notre Dame players who go pro have their name on the respective NHL team plaque.
Uncle Nick showed us the game day prep area where the players tape up their sticks, etc
Then, he got Jake a kid's sized stick and told Stephen to grab a stick...
The boys got to do "batting practice" (I don't know what the hockey word is) They got to use the players machine to practice goal shots. There is a machine that fires out pucks and you get to slap it into the goal. Jake was so excited.
Then Uncle Nick had an extra special surprise for Jake and Stephen, 2 Notre Dame official game pucks.
Next, we got to go out the players' door to the ice.
Jake wanted nothing do with sitting on the bench and posing for a picture, the stinker! I tried to get him to step onto the ice too, nope, wouldn't do it.
Next was Stephen's favorite part, the training area.
Seriously...like Disneyworld for my hubby. He took a ton of pictures of all the quotes and different machines. I have to admit, it was really nice.
Jake wanted to check out the cool machines too.
Then, we got to go into the game day locker room, it was so cool! I couldn't take pictures of the actual locker room, but I took these 2 of Jake. Notre Dame has alumni come back to use the facilities for practice in the NHL off season. He got to wear an official NHL game helmet (NY Islanders) and the gold Notre Dame game helmet. We also go to meet the head hockey coach while we were in the locker room, very neat!
Uncle Nick had to go back to work, so we moved on to the rest of the sights.
Stephen and Jake outside the ice arena.
The football stadium was just across the parking lot. Jake was excited to see where the 'Go Irish' played football.
The current stadium is actually built around the old brick stadium "The House that Rockne built."
Jake and Stephen by Knute Rockne's statue.
Last time we were on campus, Dawn was able to take us inside the stadium, onto the field, and in the locker room, but unfortunately, the University was giving scheduled tours this day and she couldn't get us in :( Jake could see the field from the gate though. He wanted so badly to go in!
I tried to zoom in on the field, but it didn't turn out very well.
Touchdown Jesus! I really wanted Jake to pose for me, but he was not in the mood!
We stopped by Dawn's office and said hello to the head soccer coach, Randy. He was also Dawn's coach in college, at Baylor, so Stephen has known him for a while now. Then, we moved on to the indoor sports facility. This is where some of the really cool stuff is.
The 1988 NCAA Championship Trophy
Aunt Dawn was showing him a picture of the famous "Play like a Champion Today" sign in the locker room...maybe next time we can get Jake's picture with the real one!
Heisman Trophies of all the Notre Dame players...again, I wanted Jake to strike a pose for me...not so much mom!
He really liked this trophy though, because it was gold. I'm not sure what award it was for.
There were football players in their workout room, so we couldn't go in. BUT as Stephen and Jake were peeking in the window, a man came out and greeted them. He is one of the assistant football coaches and asked when he would be recruiting Jake. I took this picture of them talking, and then realized after that you couldn't see the man, but he is there, I promise!
Another part of the facility, there was a lacrosse camp going on and Jake wanted to check it out.
He saw a sled of dummies and started "tackling" them...such a proud Daddy moment for Stephen :)
Aunt Dawn also needed to get back to work (they are some SUPER busy people) so we said good-bye and drove back to Chicago. Thankfully, Jake napped on the way and he was all ready to play when we got back to Mamaw's house.
Racing Daddy down the driveway. This car was one of his favorites last year, but not so much this year. He has gotten almost too big for it and it was hard for him to push the pedals.
So, he moved on to the wagon. He pulled this thing up and down the block for almost an hour!
After diner, we went out for ice cream. Lombard has one of the old, walk up, Dairy Queen's so we drove over for a yummy treat!
I have always loved this old church in downtown Lombard.
Ice cream face!
Those were our first two days in Chicago, but we had lots more fun things ahead!
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