We left on Thursday after Drew was done with school with the plans to drive to Chicago and spend the night there and then Friday morning we would drive the remaining 2 hours to Notre Dame. This would give us most of Friday to enjoy on campus and take in some more of the game weekend festivities.
We were even lucky enough to have Tyler join us on this trip. Jake had really wanted Tyler to come to ND so he could show him his school and show him what all a football weekend is about. Tyler agreed and his only request was a stop at Gene & Jude's, our favorite hot dog place in Chicago.
We were packed to the brim not knowing exactly what the weather was going to be and knowing that we would be outside for most of the weekend….And Jake had wanted us to bring his goalie hockey bag too. :)
We arrived at Notre Dame around noon on Friday
and met up with Jake.
We walked around campus so Jake could give Jake the tour.
We have never been here this early on a game weekend so we took advantage of some events going on around campus. We walked over to the stadium and did the Tunnel Tour which is open to the public on Friday's of game weekends.
It was pretty cool to be right down on the field level.
Walking out of the tunnel you see 'Touchdown Jesus' in the background.
The student entrance that Jake goes into the stadium on game days.
We walked to the other side of St. Mary's Lake to see a great view of campus.
We stopped at the grotto.
The fountain that the students celebrate in after a big football game win, which apparently happened last weekend. :)
We went over to the Main Building to see 'Trumpets Under the Dome' where the ND trumpet section plays Notre Dame Our Mother and the Notre Dame Victory March under the golden dome.
We regrouped back at Jake's dorm for a bit before heading out to dinner
at Main Street Grille in Mishawaka, where we enjoyed a great dinner!
Saturday morning we were up and back at campus for a day of football festivities.
We started with some tailgating at some of our friends 'cabin' and then met back up with Jake to tailgate with him.
Jake and friends.
Such a great group with so much humor and positive energy!
It was a perfect fall day for a football game.
Notre Dame with the win! Undefeated so far this season!
'Touchdown Jesus' lit up green for mental health awareness week.
We parted ways with Jake after the game and headed back to the 'cabin' for a bit and then over to Parisi's for dinner- because it seems a trip to South Bend isn't complete without a stop here. :)
Sunday morning was a quick breakfast at Perkins and a good-bye to Jake.
Notre Dame football weekend are always a blast but this one was special because the whole family was there!
