My dad works for the NFL and oversees the security for the San Diego Chargers stadium during regular football season and for the Superbowl travels to wherever the game is being played and assists with the logistics of the security at that stadium. It is a pretty awesome semi-retirement job! While living in Hawaii he always hooked us up with ProBowl game and tailgating tickets and now that we are back on the mainland he gave us his two tickets to the Superbowl this year! The game was played in New Orleans which is a 6 hour car ride from Houston so after some logistical planning figuring out how we were going to do this with a 2 year old and a 6 week old we had a plan and were ready to go. My mom flew in the Friday before the game and we began the drive Saturday morning. Ella was an awesome traveller-basically slept the entire time and woke up once to eat. Joseph did excellent, too. He is quite the chatterbox so kept us thoroughly entertained for the ride. About 10 minutes into the ride he said, "We made it!" which we all laughed about but were thankful he didn't keep repeating it for the rest of the trip. He talked about everything but didn't have any tantrums or whining and he did end up taking a 90 minute nap after lunch both there and back which was a nice break for all of us!
When we arrived Saturday late afternoon Poppa showed us around and then we all headed out to dinner. My dad was in the "NFL" hotel right across from the stadium and we all bunked up in one room-yes, my parents are saints! The hotel was decorated for the Superbowl and Joseph loved the football paraphernalia everywhere!
Sunday morning we were up bright and early (thanks to Daddy who took Joseph on a Starbucks run and trip around the hotel so the rest of us could get a little more sleep) but by 8 am we were all up and ready to go! My dad recommended to head over to Jackson square which was where the CBS and ESPN broadcast booths were set up so we thought that would be a great idea to get out of the hotel and to hopefully to tire Joseph out. We made the mile walk (and Joseph walked most of the way) exploring the city and it was a great way to spend the morning. Jackson square was definitely happening and it was so fun to be in the middle of it all.
After the final playoff game when we found out it was going to be the Ravens vs. the 49ers in the Superbowl we decided to choose a team and get apparel for the team. We figured if we were going to go we should pretend that we were die hard fans and get really excited about the team. We went with the Ravens because who doesn't love Michael Oher (the player whose story influenced the movie, "The Blindside") and I just thought purple would be more fun than red.
People commented all day about Joseph in his Oher jersey. He ran down the streets saying "hut hut", "touchdown" and "Go Ravens, beat Niners."
Entering Jackson Square
We watched this street performer who was extremely entertaining and talented. He did a flip over 5 people and had everyone laughing and cheering.
Cafe du Monde is famous for the beignets and coffee so we had to make a stop there. The lines were outrageous but thankfully I started talking to a waiter on his break and he offered to run to the back and pick up our order. We tipped him well and enjoyed our mid-morning snack.
Joseph was a fan!
We took a break to eat our beignets right in front of the CBS broadcast booth. We saw one news anchor but we are all NBC morning show/news viewers so didn't recognize him.
After our beignet break we made our way back to the hotel via Bourbon Street. I have been to New Orleans two other times and every time I go it seems to be just as crazy. There was nothing like bringing your 2 year old and 6 week old right down Bourbon Street as beads were being thrown and hurricanes were being drunk. Joseph lucked out by catching a plastic football and some beads!
Thankfully this little peanut stayed snuggled up in the ring sling sound asleep amidst the chaos! And, even she sported some Ravens apparel!
Here we are in the middle of it all!
Joseph started getting really tired on the walk back and at one point his eyes were closing as Rich was carrying him and Rich put him down and made him walk-poor kid was basically sleep walking but we didn't want him to sleep on the walk back because we wanted him to nap in the hotel room while we were gone at the tailgating party. Luckily our plan (or Rich's plan I should say) worked and Joseph got a second wind for another hour and then passed out in the room just as we were heading out for the party and game. We met my Aunt Doob for a bit who was also going to the game thanks to my dad and it was so nice to catch up with her (unfortunately I didn't get any pictures) and once both kids were asleep we were on our way.
Walking into the stadium was one of the neatest parts-it took about 15 minutes to get through security and people were just so excited (and somewhat intoxicated) so everyone was yelling and chanting. We were surrounded by Ravens fans (thank goodness we chose this team!) so everyone was chanting "Let's Go Ravens!" John Travolta walked right by us with an entourage-he was just a arms length away-and his "people" were yelling "John coming through, make way" and amazingly enough people moved out of the way to let him skip the lines. My dad told us later that they are not supposed to do this but with a few big guys surrounding someone, you pretty much get away with anything.
My dad got us tickets to the VIP tailgating party which was great. It took place in the parking garage but you would have had no idea you were in a garage because the decorations were so elaborate-really felt like you were in the South experiencing the culture. We had free food and drinks and enjoyed the time being able to eat and drink without having to chase after a toddler or soothe a newborn! Bonus was that we saw Alyssa Milano at the party.
The energy once we got to our seats was intense. Our seats were in the Ravens end zone (so again it was perfect that we chose them to cheer for!) and we were surrounded by Ravens fans.
The choir from Sandyhook Elementary school performed "America the Beautiful" with Jennifer Hudson. I hadn't heard that they were doing this (I guess having a 6 week old has caused me to live under a rock since everyone else knew it was taking place) but needless to say I was an emotional wreck. Seriously, I started crying and the tears just wouldn't stop. It was a beautiful way to honor and to remember the 27 innocent lives that were taken that awful day in December.
The halftime show! I am a fan of Beyonce so thought the show was pretty amazing-I think this picture is from when Destiny's child popped up from the stage!
The power went out in the stadium in the 3rd quarter and I got a little freaked out...ok, well a lot freaked out. Probably due to a lack of sleep, my mind was just going crazy so we left our seats and walked around to get closer to the exit if needed. We ended up staying for a bit longer but didn't stay for the entire game which ended up being a good decision considering we got back to the hotel just in time for Ella's "witching" hour (or hours!) Ella, baby girl, when you are old enough to read this, we love you but you definitely have witching hours between 8 and 10 and we are hoping you outgrow this real soon! So we got back to the room and Joseph was still up and excited to tell us that he saw Beyonce sing and lots of football players on the tv. Rich put him to sleep and I roamed the halls with Ella to get her to sleep. My mom, Rich and I finished watching the game together and then my mom and dad snuck out for an after party in the hotel (party animals!)
Rich and I did sneak up to the top of the hotel to get this picture that night-pretty spectacular!
On Monday before we began our trip back home Poppa took Joseph out to the stadium to check out some more footballs. Joseph was in heaven!!
Joseph with his football that he caught on Bourbon street.
Thanks to my amazing parents for making this experience happen! A month later Joseph is still wearing his Mardi Gras beads and dancing like Poppa when he puts them on and he love his football credentials with his picture on them! We will always remember this trip and feel so grateful that we were able to attend Superbowl XLVII.
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