Abe's Football Adventure

 The entire Miller/Carlson clan was ready to make their way to New York to visit with the Shafer Family and attend a Syracuse University football game.

Abe was all settled in and excited to watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood on his little dvd player.

 Joe and I rented a brand new mini-van for the journey and are SO glad we did!  We needed a bigger space to accomodate the Abester.

Scott and Brooke decided they really couldn't miss the first Friday of their teaching year, so started their journey right after school and arrived in New York later Friday evening.

At my sister's house...

 Missy brought out some of Wolf's childhood toys for Abe to play with and he was in train/car heaven!

So was Joe...

 Noah and Amy were thrilled to have some down time.  They both work in urban education and deal with intense issues on a daily basis.

Saturday morning, before the game, Missy organized a photo session...

 Oma and her VERY beloved Abe...

Abe and his buddy, Grandpa Joe.

 

My handsome husband and me...

 The Carlson Family...

 Auntie Brooke and her cherished nephew...

 Brooke and Scott...

 Missy...my youngest sister...

 Missy and her amazing daughter, Elsa...

 The younger generation of women...and Abe.

 The girls and Abe...

 The boys...I LOVE this picture!

On Syracuse University's campus before the game...

 Listening to the marching band...

 Scott and Brooke touching Ernie Davis' foot, as do all football players before a game!  Davis was the first African-American athlete awarded the Heisman Trophy.

 Love that Elsa!

On the football field at the Carrier Dome...

 Scott is a HUGE football fan and was like a kid in a candy store!

 Former Syracuse football Hall of Famer, Floyd Little, and his new friend, Abe.

 Some sideline fun...

 We all got to sit in the Athletic Director's Box and look what was waiting for us!

 We also had a fantastic waitress who took care of us the entire game.

NICE!!!

 Marching bands always remind me of Mom...

Abe watched the game and cheered as loud as anyone.

We were all surprised by his attentiveness the ENTIRE game!

Abe is special in so many ways...

 

Brooke was especially thrilled to meet the legendary Syracuse basketball coach, Jim Boeheim!  Scott was too, although he is a loyal Duke fan...

After the spectacular 30-17 win over Wake Forest...

 Our family attended Scott's press conference and then Scott introduced himself to Abe, who immediately fell in love with Pappy!

At the Shafer house after the win...

 Scott, Wolf, Missy, and Elsa...a very happy family indeed!

 Wolf and his housemates from Ithaca College also watched the game and after dinner traveled to Buffalo for a Bill's game on Sunday.

The boys were just wonderful!

 The Shafer and Miller/Carlson Family in full force...

~Sacred Time~

Sunday at the Ensley Athletic Center...

 This center is home to the football staff's offices and a complete training facility for the players...as well as a "museum" of sorts.

Abe assuming the football pose along with Grandpa Joe...

 

A little punching bag time...

And then...

 It was time for the Ohio Family to head home.  This picture captures our weekend...It was all about football and family!

A huge heartfelt thank you to the entire Shafer Family, but especially to Missy, my very loved sister.

~It was the BEST of weekends~