the kirby life: The Game

This is a continuation from the previous post...

The Carolina/Valpo game was on Saturday at 1:00. That morning we got up and walked up and down Michigan Avenue to do some shopping on the famous magnificent mile. We knew that the Tarheels were staying at the Omni because Chris is on a message board and someone on there knew all the info. While we were in the Nike store (right across the street from the Omni) we saw 3 of the players. I forget who all we saw (Chris knows) but I do know that one of them was Ty Lawson. Chris talked to him for a minute and wished him luck in the game. There were some other Carolina fans in the store and one of them said he asked Ty why in the world he was over there before the game and he said he just needed some new shoes. It was pretty funny if you ask me because all of the fans who just happened to be in there were so excited. This turned us into instant stalkers of the team. We were wondering if more of the guys were out and about. At around 11, we were heading back to our hotel to get the jeep and head to the game and a big bus was parked in front of the Omni. A few other fans were standing outside waiting on the team, so we decided that we could too. And, we did! Then, we got to see the players up close as the were getting on the bus. Here is Marcus Ginyard in his crazy hat.

Tyler Hansbrough came out with his big head phones on and wearing some Carolina blue tennis shoes with his suit. He was already in the zone for the game and refused autographs to some little kids. But, oh well.......what do you expect? He was just trying to stay focused.

It's always amazing to me to see how tall these guys are in person. Here is Ty Zellar, our Indiana boy on the team!

Now for the highlight of the pregame festivities........Chris got to talk with Coach Roy Williams and have his picture made with him. Coach was so nice and friendly. Just before he stopped to talk to Chris some guy was trying to get him to sign a basketball and Roy would just sign one of them. He turned to Chris and said all that guy is going to do is try to sell that ball on the internet. I'm not signing that. Ha! Then, they talked Western NC for a little bit since that's where they are both from. Chris likes to say that he is giving Coach game advice in this picture, but in reality Chris is mad at himself that he didn't stop talking long enough to smile.

This was definitely a huge highlight of our weekend. I couldn't have planned it better to make this a memorable birthday for Chris! We had a great time at the United Center (where the Chicago Bulls play).