Sad Day...

I know I have a ton (and I'm not exaggerating) of catching up to do here on the blog, but I figured if I didn't put this one up today, it wouldn't make too much sense later. I'm sad today because our beloved team, the Bears, lost the NFC championship game to their longest rivals, the Green Bay Packers. All week, going into this game we knew that this was bigger than the Super Bowl, and so therefore we treated it like it was the Super Bowl. The boys have watched all the games with us, and have been just as excited as we have been (more so in some cases!) when the Bears would win. And last week was no exception when they beat Seattle to advance to the NFC Championship game.

The sign posted says "Next week is for all the Cheese" with the "C" shaped like the Chicago C. We already knew we'd be playing against the Cheese Headed Packers.

I painted my toes to show my pride, and have worn Bears attire all week long, including switching over to my Bears watch.

Devin had begged me all week to do his toes too. As tempted as I was to fulfill his eager wish, I hesitated because I didn't know how Micah would really feel about it. He acted fairly indifferent over the phone (he was away most of the week for Fellowship interviews) but I didn't want him to be angry when he got home. Even though I had many many supporters of the idea (as well as some who were against it) his opinion was the only one that really counted. Before Micah got on the plane to come home yesterday, he texted me on his own to say that he really didn't care if I did, and if Devin wanted it, to go ahead. Unfortunately for Devin, I got that text a little too late, and was already too preoccupied planning our party for the game the next day.
However, the boys still got to show their pride all week by wearing their own gear and helping me hang the Bears flag we got the last time they won the NFC Championship back in 2006.

(I took these pics with my cell phone)

With the anticipation all week, we were really looking forward to having some friends over to watch the game with us. We were planning on having a simple brunch for food since the game was going to start soon after we would get out of church. But I started getting ideas, and I have a very hard time holding back when I get ideas in my head. I probably bit off more than I could chew since I wouldn't have much time after church and before people started to show up, but I tried to do as much as I could the night before. Unfortunately I had to leave some details out, but the overall outcome was cute nonetheless.
We prayed at church, and then again before the game...Our father who Art in Chicago, Football be thy game. Let Forte run, 1 Super Bowl won , on earth as it is in Soldier Field. Give us Sunday a playoff victory, and forgive of our penalties , as we defeat those Packers who play against us, lead us not in elimination, but deliver us to Dallas! In the name of the fans, the City of Chicago and the good Bears name, Amen....Go BEARS!
Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards for us this year. Again. But we remain faithful fans, and will stick by our team no matter the outcome. I'm just sad because I now know that if only I had went with my gut and painted Devin's toes like he begged me to almost every day, I'm sure it would have made the difference and we'd be celebrating a victory today rather than hanging our heads in defeat. There's always next year...

Yes, that would be a flying blimp (summer sausage shaped like a football) above the stadium of food :)

This is a homemade giant cookie frosted with Teddy Grahams as players. Their helmets are made from fondant. I was going to roll some small pretzel rods in the fondant and try to cement them together with icing to form goal posts for the end zones, but I just didn't have the time.

And I was going to use carrot sticks for goal posts here as well with black olives in "x's and o's" for the players, but again ran out of time. Boneless Buffalo wings, mini egg rolls, and mini corn dogs built the parameter of the stadium (stuck together with tooth picks).

Marrissa brought over the most delicious fruit that I forgot to put on the table for the picture. I still made my cinnamon rolls and mimosas from the original brunch idea. It was an enjoyable afternoon with our friends, and this was our Super Bowl-just wish we would have won :(

Go Bears!
and now...Go Steelers! haha