Chargers vs Redskins

We've had tickets to this game since before the season started.  Little did we know that the game itself wouldn't mean much to the San Diego Chargers, since they already clinched the AFC West title two games ago, and a bye in the playoffs last week when they beat the Tennessee Titans on Christmas.

Nevertheless, we always go to my friend Lee's famous tailgate party, because we just love his secret recipe chicken wings!  Todd made some Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (which I LOVE) to bring to the tailgate.

This might sound a little sexist, but I think this is the most beautiful sight ever!  My man making cookies from scratch...


Mmm... cookies


We left home around 10:20am and was shocked to find that the freeway to Qualcomm Stadium wasn't packed at all.  It was actually pretty easy to get into the parking lot.  The worst thing about going to the game is the parking.  They have plenty of spaces in the lot, but it costs $25.  When we first moved here it was $10!  Supply and demand I guess.

Us with Lee's famous chicken wings. He won't divulge the recipe to anyone!


I wore my long-sleeve Charger shirt and it was too warm!  I should have worn a short-sleeve.  When I got home I looked up the high temp in San Diego today and it was 85 degrees!  No wonder!

Lee and Scott in front of the big grill.




Todd walked to the other side of the stadium parking lot and found his friend Nicky, whom he used to work with.

Nicki trained her cat to use the toilet, and also to walk on a leash. Isn't that cool?

A shot of Qualcomm Stadium before we went into the game.


We've never sat this close before, with the end-zone vantage point. So cool!


The players being introduced before the game.


Guess who was excited to eat stadium popcorn?


I caught a cool photo of Nate Kaeding making a field goal. Look at the ball in the air!


The view was definitely awesome.


The Charger Girls.

Did I ever tell you that I went to the Charger Girls pre-tryouts in 2004? I had been dancing in an adult jazz class (I used to dance jazz/modern) and thought it would be fun to try out. I was there for two hours while they taught us a routine to a Britney Spears song. The moves weren't super-hard, but I couldn't pick up the choreography under the time contraints. I guess that's the mark of a real dancer, to pick up choreography really fast. I dropped out because I couldn't keep up. I did end up dancing in a recital that summer and it was fun. But my Charger Girl dreams were over, LOL!

The Redskins going back to their locker room at halftime.

Being this close to the field made me realize something today: NFL players are really HUGE! They don't look so big on TV. But in real life they're just huge!

Lee, who sat in front of us, took a photo of us.


The bummer for this game was that the Charger starting players only played for one quarter, then they put in the second string players. This game doesn't mean anything to them in terms of playoff implications, so they rested the key players. In doing so, the Chargers were losing until there was less than a minute left in the game. They scored a last minute touchdown! This is Nate Kaeding kicking the point-after conversion to make the final score 23-20.


Chargers win!


We went back out to the parking lot for the after-game tailgate. Lee put more meat on the grill and there was another feast. I'm stuffed.

I've had a great three days so far this year. Tomorrow is back to work and my life will be dull again, LOL.