Game 1, Cards vs Panthers

Wow, what a great time we had on Sunday! The game started at 1:10pm so we got to the stadium at 10:00 a.m. Yes, 10:00 a.m. Our plan was to tailgate (EAT) then as soon as we could get into the stadium, we would pack up and go in, generally about 1 hour prior to kick-off.

So here we are in our parking spot. It was a nice breezy day, but boy out in the Arizona sun it gets hot really quick! We are planning on buying a Cardinals tent for our next home game on October 1st.

We had a nice little set up, we got a great spot and just enjoyed people watching as we sat and ate and drank -- Sweetheart had beer, I had Dr. Pepper:



I made some Italian Hoagies and a 7 layer dip:

At about 11:45 we entered the stadium and waited for the teams to come out to practice. We are a strange pair -- we both LOVE going to a game an hour before to watch the warm up and we stay until the very end (regardless of the outcome) and watch the stadium clear out. It's all part of the experience!

Here come the ARIZONA CARDINALS! I love when the players come out of the tunnel!

And just as important as the players is BIG RED and the Flag dudes!

Just after they introduced the players, there was a memorial in remembrance of 9/11/01. It was the standard memorial that was shown throughout the NFL yesterday. It was extremely touching. After the memorial, there was a moment of silence, that was truly amazing because the roar of the stadium became silent without anyone really giving a queue to quiet down. As this beautiful, giant flag made it's way across the field, the noise stopped and every one just stood there, silent and vowing to never forget that dreadful day:

Mini flags were handed to everyone upon entering the stadium and as Jordan Sparks sang the Star Spangled Banner, the flags were waving, the crowd was cheering and there was a wonderful sense of unity in the house. It was absolutely amazing:

My thoughts and prayers were with the families of those who perished in the 9/11 attacks.

I will always be thankful to the men and women who serve our country.

***I will always remember 9/11/01 ***

I will always BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

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Once the game started, it was dig deep time. We were up against the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton. Refer to the sign below, my sentiments exactly:

And there's BIG RED, doing what he does best. Getting the crowd on their feet:
This was the end of the game. I forget to get pictures during the game. It's just too exciting! My Sweetheart has to remind me to get pictures for my scrapbook! The end of the game, we stopped them in the end zone. We took over at the 4 yard line...or something like that....just past the 2 minute warning. By that time the crowd was on it's feet, everyone was yelling and screaming and pounding! The Cards stopped Cam. The Cards were victorious!!!


Honestly, I was prepared for a loss. I talked myself into being a good sport. Whew, it was a close one! Here's me and my Sweetheart, fooling around:


Next home game is against the Giants. Let's go Cards, we can take those Giants!!!