Tales of the Tailgate

It was a beautiful and windy day on Saturday for the game at Purdue. With just one more home game this season, we really couldn't have asked for better weather on game days. It has been a beautiful fall for football. Weather-wise, at least. :(

Darci brought beautiful cookies, and they taste as good as they look.

We had lots of people join us, and it was so much fun to have folks stop by to visit and join in the tailgating fun.

Haleigh and I made a trip to the fan shop and ran into this guy. Always good to spend time with Drew Brees.

Ella and her daddy enjoyed the day, too.

Three little Boiler fans.

The kids had fun playing double elimination with the helmets to predict the final standings of the Big Ten. I think we all know where Purdue will finish.

We are always happy to have some Breakfast Clubbers join us. Shylah's brother Joe was in costume for the festivities.

Courtney and her friends were all dressed up as Peter Pan characters. Adam wasn't in costume, but was happy to pose with the main character.

Captain Hook, Wendy, and, on the end, Billy Madison (who wasn't part of the Pan group).

Shylah and Kyle join the group for a photo.

There was LOTS of corn hole played.

Cute smiles, too.

We were happy to have Matt, Shelly, Abbi, and Makenna here from Louisville for the game. It's always good to see them!

The girls and Matthew decided they would help out by serving drinks. Before long, someone suggested that they might receive tips...

and they quickly had a little business going.

Smart kids!

We were fortunate to get a good spot in the lot where our crowd could spill over beyond just our vehicle. We had a big group. As David said, "We're bringing a herd." That's what makes it a party. :)

Boomie and his friend Dick stopped by to have a burger.

We are always glad to have Dr. Dave come to say hello and share a burger and a beverage.

And the Millers were there! We love them, despite their misdirected allegiance. Yes, they are cheering for the wrong team. Or was is the right team? Oh well, at least the boys were smart enough to get their education at Purdue. It was great to have them with us.

Darci and two of her sisters.

Andrew, Darci, Matthew, Haleigh, and Ella.

Adam, Kylee, Jen, and Kyle.
Kyle's wife Kristin was working (as she does most Saturdays). They live near the stadium and are kind enough to open their home to 'the herd' on game day weekends. Bless their hearts!

And yes, I did eventually go into the game. The team paid tribute to our veterans by wearing special helmets for the game.

The band put on another impressive show, making us proud of all the men and women in each branch of the armed forces, who have sacrificed for our freedom.

God bless America!

But the game? It was all Hawkeyes.

Back in the tailgate lot, we had some more visitors. Margaret and I shared the special #15 cookie.

And she posed with her daddy and mommy. (And 'Student Pete', her new souvenir.)

We were among the last in the lot. Still playing corn hole,

as the sun set on another game day at Ross-Ade.

All that tailgating makes a guy tired!