NFL trip with the boys....

Yes, it's true when your kids get married they begin a new family.

That family becomes number one.

But it doesn't mean you stop being a part of

your original family, with parents and siblings.

SOOOOOO....

we do a couple of traditions that keep the bonds tight, fun and

ever so memorable.

******

We do an NFL trip,

going to see a different sons favorite team.

The only rule:

no game on Sunday.

We have enjoyed Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and now

we can add

The Oakland Raiders

and

Denver Broncos.

Come along and follow us and our sons on our

2011

Denver trip.

16th street was a pedestrian mall that had fun shopping.

We enjoyed the statues and pianos.

You could pick up a free bus anywhere along the street you wanted,

if you got tired of walking.

We held up four fingers to remind us that number 5 brother was

missing. (he came the last day for the game)

We couldn't believe how many pianos were at this pedestrian mall

to play on. Each one was different, and colorful.

Of course we all had to pose by the statue that spoke to

our personality...

Justin loves baseball.

Swinnnngggg battter!!!

 Jake loves to goof off with the kids

 Josef and his boys are pirates

at heart.
(Colin this ones for you)

Mark is going round in circles..Which is the story of

his life.

  Ethan loves to golf. He can't wait for the Doctor

to say he's healthy enough to play again.

3 weeks since his first stint. (he now has 4)  We had to be careful

with our bud. He was a real trooper.

Hugging away.

The city was getting ready to

remember 9/11

My grand son Beau calls fire trucks a bad-day truck.
So we had to get our picture taken in front of a bad day truck with a very nice firemen.

I love firemen♥ especially ones that volunteer to

take your family picture and stand in the photo carrying a flag..

They were setting up for the Beach boy concert to

commemorate 9/11

They had on display pieces of the twin towers with a flag

draped over. Guards stood all around it.

tons of policemen everywhere we went

lots to think about and be grateful for.

I loved this shot I got of the flag above the venue

I like this picture because it shows even the cops were taking photos

of this special somber occasion.

The security guards told us not to take a picture of the twin towers.

But Mark had already snapped one. They said it was for

security reasons.

They did say we could take a picture of the world trade center sign.

This picture is of the Colorado pioneers. You mean we aren't the only
ones to have pioneer statues? calm down...I'm kidding.

We saw Coors field---which is the home for the Major league
Base Ball Colorado Rockies

The sports authority was where the Broncos play

6 flags

We are nothin but sports fans through and through..

found a store that had tons of NFL stuff that was tempting...

called the "SPORTS FAN"

Jake almost bought this ever so flattering Raiders hat.

As we checked out we noticed the banners up by the ceilings.

All my boys favorites in a row.

Broncos, Raiders, Steelers, Cowboys, and the Chicago Bears.

What are the chances? I'm just saying.

Of course what's a trip without all the good food?

Here we are at a mexican restaurant.

Delish!! 

Not sure who's arm that is in the white. Definitely

not mine. I have thin attractive arms!! Not chubbo, turbo arms.

On 9/11 The cowboys were playing against New York on TV,

 So we had a little party in the hotel.....



The cowboys lost, which made Ethan sad...But because it was

on 9/11 and playing in New York, we were happy that New York Won

We went shopping the next day at the outlet mall

and bought souveniers for all the families.

After shopping we went to see the WARRIOR movie..
 Its about 2 brothers who end up fighting each other
 for the prize $5,000,000.00.

Are you ready for some Football?

The day has come.

Broncos versus the Raiders

Jake is a Raiders fan and Brandon is a Broncos fan..

Who did we cheer for??????

Orange---Broncos

Black----Raiders

Really boys? We are in Bronco Territory and your all

dressing for the Raiders.. 

Before the game we stopped for some sushi, steaks

salads and Cream of mushroom soup....

Probably our favorite restaurant.

In front of the Stadium...

The tickets are sold out for years in advance.. So we had to

pay $150.00 for $42.00 seats in the nose bleed section.

Oh well!!! 

Finally Brandon showed up the last day. This was his team.

All 7 of us...Brandon, mom, Dad, Jake, Ethan

Justin and Josef

Bronco Cheerleaders 

Jake even got his picture taken with some.

They were really nice, because Jake was wearing Raiders shirt.

They had sky divers with the flag..

so cool.

  favorite part was when the service men came out on the field with the flag.

 Half Time was very patriotic

We had lightning and yes...finally rain.

We got drenched 2 different times.

Jake is dripping wet!!!

Fireworks show was awesome.

It was a fun game.

Broncos lost and

Raiders won

Before catching our flight we had time to go to the Denver Temple

and have our picture taken.

 Then off to the mall again. All the boys and Mark had a massage.

Heavenly!!!!!

******

A few lines I would like to remember…

“How was your customer service today (at Enterprise)?” Jake response – “Overwhelming”

“Did you eat pretzels on the plane?” Joe to mom after our 60 minute flight

“I’m trying Tommy” – From the Warrior (in the voice of Nick Nolte)

“Turn that ship around” – From the Warrior (also in the voice of Nick Nolte)

“Bacon, again? You were doing so well!” – From Ethan to Joe after ordering Bacon again.

Moments to remember…

The 9/11 celebration downtown (Beach Boys invited)

The MRE eggs at Comfort Inn

The really bad salad at Johnny Rockets

Jake, and his acid reflux at the Hotel at 2:00 am

Jake, and his hot dogs being dipped in nacho cheese, after the spring rolls, and before the french onion soup, all leading up to said reflux

Ethan’s comment about sleeping with Jake…”It’s like lying next to Lord Vader at night”

The Shire in Hobbiton – making reference to the 6 ½ foot beds at Comfort Inn and small bathrooms

Running down 16th Street (returning after only 2 miles, and then riding 4 more miles on the bike in the fitness room)

Walking down 16th Street with Justin on Sunday, while the rest took naps

The workout group & runners on 16th street while we were riding

Checking Fantasy Football scores the whole time

Dallas losing a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter, losing to the Jets

The Conquest Ipad App – Simulating the Risk Game (8 Moves – the board was cleared)

Wearing Raider Nation for the 1st Half, Wearing a $110 Bronco Sweatshirt during the 2nd Half

Mom’s GPS phone App, hey it worked

*****************************************

OUR

NFL Trip to Denver was so much fun.

It's so not about the game..

but the laughs and the memories of being together.

Next year is already too far away.

Pittsburgh Steelers here we come!!!

(shout out to my DIL's who support their husbands in

this fun tradition)
and last but not least, I want to say to my sons: