Lucky Penny

The Seminoles were invited to play in the Champs Bowl in Orlando, not too far from home.  We arrived the afternoon before the game to enjoy the festivities and catch up with friends.

When we arrived, we were told we had been given a suite.  But we didn't know it would be a sweet suite!

View from room.

 We made plans to go to BB King where there was a pep rally event of sorts.  But, by the time the rest of the crew arrived, we heard it was totally packed and parking was difficult.  So, we had an impromptu gathering in the suite!

Our motorhome compadres Bonnie and Ronnie.

Beautiful sunset!

Mattie and Mary-Alice provide entertainment.  :)

Taylor and Sheila

The Joneses and Lotts hanging out.

As we were headed to dinner, the players came walking through the lobby with their pillows!  

(Maybe it was a slumber party.)  :o)

Arrangements for a big van were made (since we had 13 going to dinner).

Fun hanging in the 'way back' with the Lotts!

Great sports posing for the group picture!

Yep, the Christmas tree is upside down!

There was a table behind us that had people celebrating a birthday and having lots of fun.  As they were leaving, somehow one of the ladies said she was a player parent.  Well it was Clint Trickett's mom!  (Not only is she the mom of a player, she is also a coach's wife. Talk about double stressful on game day!)

For nearly the whole season, the kids that sit behind us got the notion that I was Ms Trickett.  And so the fan club was formed.  Needless to say, I had to have a picture with her.  She was so gracious, down to earth and she got the biggest kick out of the story.

Tara T and me.  :o)

We got to celebrate a birthday at our table too! 

Thursday morning, we decided it might be a good idea to do a little recon trip to the stadium to find the lot where we would park for the game.  Some other motorhome friends from Cairo, came down for the game and we found them right next to the stadium.

Catching up with Robert and Betty.

After finding the parking lot and stop at the grocery store, we were ready to rally the troops!  There was football game we needed to get to!

The Lotts.

The Glazers

The Joneses and Moore

Our caravan - three vehicles, 13 people.

For absolutely no planning and coordination, we ended up with a nice tailgate!  

Bonnie's prepared for cold weather!  (Pompom gloves and Snuggie)

Bonnie, me and Ronnie being silly

Ronnie got awesome seats (and we were all on the same row!)

The Marching Chiefs

The Notre Dame band (with the kilted fellows in the lead).

Beautiful, clear skies for the parajumpers.

Flyover.  :o)

The Lotts with obnoxious ND fan behind them.

But the scoreboard says it all!

Winners of the Champs Bowl!

So why did I title this post "lucky penny"?  As we were leaving the grocery store, I found a penny and you know the saying:  "Find a penny, pick it up and all day you'll have good luck."  

This will be the last post until next year!  

We wish you good health and much happiness in 2010!