The last few days of 2010 were spent with family and friends, having fun and enjoying FSU's Chick-fil-A Bowl festivities.
We opted to make the trip to Atlanta by car. And good thing we did because we were able to meet up with Frank's brother, Richard, who was returning to Florida from Atlanta. Rich's timing was perfect and called us when we were both within a few miles of each other. :o)
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| Richard and Frank |
Frank and Ray made arrangements to stay at the Team hotel, Marriott Marquis which has something like 50+ floors. Sitting in the atrium and looking up offered a pretty cool sight. (Looks like something you'd see in an action movie.)
After getting situated, we wanted to see what was going on at the hotel. What better way to start a football/New Years Eve weekend with a cocktail in the atrium with Bonnie and Ray.
Several family members live in the Atlanta area and were willing to make the trek into downtown for lunch at
Flip Burger.
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Jackie (Rich's daughter), Nick (Jackie's nephew), Ray, Bonnie,
Leann, Frank, Stephanie (Frank's niece) and Jermaine (Stephanie's husband) |
Oh my goodness! The food was delicious! Burgers of all varieties and just the right size.
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| A Krispy Kreme donut milkshake! |
Thursday afternoon, more friends and family arrived! The Astors from NC and the Hoffman's (Ray & Bonnie's daughter and son-in-law) from DC.
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| Ray, Joanne, Rick, Rachel (from the FSU Boosters), Frank, Leann, Lindsay, Dan and Bonnie |
We were so excited because the Blackwells from Tallahassee were coming to the game!
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| Frank, Leann, Janie, Duey, Ray, Dan, Lindsay and Bonnie |
A few weeks ago, arrangements were made for dinner at
Chops. We were considering this our New Year's Eve celebration dinner (since we would be at the game, sitting in different locations.) And all of us were decked out in our most festive NYE-FSU attire!
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| Rick, Duey, Ray, Janie, Leann, Joanne, Frank, Lindsay, Dan and Bonnie |
Frank's "new best friend" (the concierge) hooked us up with transportation to and from Chops. That way we could all enjoy our time together!
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| Piling into the short bus. |
We had a wonderful dinner, toasting in the new year and the Noles, many times.
Friday was game day and there were lots of festivities and activities within walking distance. The morning/afternoon started with brunch at the
Highland Bakery. Well, seems like all of Atlanta had the same idea. We waited nearly an hour for a table but the food was great!
The
Atlanta Seminole Club was hosting pre-and-post-game events at
Stats. So we decided to make a visit there and met up with the Holley's!
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| Ray, Christopher, Chris, Leann and Frank |
Dinner plans for prior to the game had been made at
Legal Seafoods. Another great way to catchup with friends and ring in the new year before the game. (The majority of the people had the last name Jones! Which made for a bit of confusion for our server.)
Things were quite busy at the restaurant and we had a bit of a walk to get to the Georgia Dome so we didn't get to our seats until right before kickoff.
Since this was the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, their cows were everywhere! Even parachuting in from the top of the dome!
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| Game on with the South Carolina Cockadoodle-doos. |
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| Jimbo, right after his powerade bath! |
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| The score says it all: FSU 26 - USC 17! |
What a great game for the Florida State Seminoles and Jimbo Fisher! So exciting to end the season and ring in the New Year with a w-i-n!
Chinese calendar say:
Year of the Nole.
Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!
