A Ducky Weekend.

Let me start with this:  I went to my first Duck game last year with my friend Jenni. I had never experienced anything like it before in my life - from the atmosphere to adrenaline to the noise. There is nothing like it - nothing like 50,000+ people screaming "O" at the same time. (Autzen is said to be one of the loudest college stadiums in the country) And, I knew from that moment - I was going to take my oldest nephew Gage. I had to - no questions about it.  I wanted to be there when he experienced all that. I think its safe to say - he was amazed and enjoyed every moment.  It did not disappoint.

Well, a couple weekends ago I  finally took Gage to his first University of Oregon Football Game to cheer on the Ducks.

Let's rewind to August 4th: This boy was no longer a boy - he was now a full-fledged teenager! He turned the big 1-3 (um, he can totally stop growing up now!).  We have always been ducks fans - he comes over for just about every game and we watch it together. It's just our thing.  Well, I knew I was going to surprise him for his birthday and get him football tickets. I eagerly awaited for the day that the tickets went on sale, I purchased them within hours and was so excited!  I was so happy I got them and everything went smoothly. 

Needless to say, he absolutely loved it and he had no idea at all!!!
His exact words were:
"DUCKS TICKETS!!!! No Freakin Way!"

 

Disclaimer: A couple weeks after his birthday, he broke his foot in two places training for Karate - we found out he would be on crutches for 6 weeks but, we weren't going to let that stop us!  (He is doing good, still on crutches and goes back in for a check up in a couple weeks)

The day finally came - Sat. Sept. 8 - It was GAME DAY!

We woke up early, got our yellow duck gear on and drove
 167 miles north to Eugene.

Gage & I in the car ready for our little road trip!

 

When we arrived in Eugene, we got stuck in traffic - no shocker there - and Gage got to see all the excited fans with their vehicles, buses, and motor homes all "ducked" out.  He was getting excited already!!

Before the game, we headed into "The Mo Center".  Gage was able to see all the players and cheerleaders make their way into the stadium 2 hours before kick-off.  Sadly, I don't have any pictures of this because I was recording it, but he thought that was pretty darn cool! Gage also got to meet the Oregon Duck Mascot, Puddles.

Gage & Puddles 

Oh, so True. 

There was tons to do in "The Mo" Center.  They had live music, free games for the kids, AT&T also had a both where fans were able to build their own sunglasses. 

Game faces w/ our cool new shades.

We couldn't look serious for too long - we were having tons of fun!!!

 

After a couple hours in The Mo Center, we headed back over to the stadium to get our seats!

 

Gage in front of Autzen.

 

Autzen Stadium.

Me in front of Autzen.

 

We headed into Autzen to get all settled in and get ready for the ducks to win another game...

We were a tad early so the picture taking continued....

 

The game was about to start and all the eager fans started to pile in! There were only 55,755 people in attendance! No biggie. (uh, yeah right!)

 

 

This face kinda says it all: 

 

 

Enjoy the pictures from the game:

 

 

Here is the teenager after the game:

 

Final Score: Oregon VS. Fresno State: 42-25

 

Beautiful Sunset after the game:

 

 

I hope this is a weekend he will never forget, because I know I won't.  I am so happy I was able to be there and share his excitement with him.  We had a blast - and we will do it again.  Fo Sho.  I was told so many times that weekend that, "This is the best weekend of my life" & "You are the best ever" - so I think it is okay to assume that he had a fun time. :-)

 

The fun didn't end there though, after a good night sleep at the hotel, we checked out, and had a Delicious breakfast at IHOP - seriously best pancakes ever! 

 

After our breakfast we headed to 'The Duck Store' - we bought some goodies, then decided to drive around Eugene and check out The University of Oregon, Matthew Knight Arena and Hayward Field.

I will admit we didn't did get a little lost, but thank goodness for my handy GPS - we were at the university in no time!  Gage loved the campus (it really is beautiful) and I think it is safe to assume he will be a Duck in about 5 years! :-)

 

My favorite picture of Gage at Hayward Field:

(the Olympic trials were held here earlier this summer)

 

After an awesome weekend, we fueled ourselves up with Dutch Bros (decaf for Gage) and set out for a 2 and half hour drive back home to Medford...

 

at least this was our view:

Last night we were watching this video:

 

While we were watching it, I said, "Gage, YOU have been there - in that stadium.  How cool is that?!"  He smiled his heart warming smile, and said, "I know.".  It made my heart happy.  I can't wait until we can go again.