Michigan Wolverines at Illinois Fighting Illini (Memorial Stadium)
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (Soldier Field)
Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers (United Center)

This was definitely the weekend of changing schedules. The Michigan/Illinois game should have been at 12noon, but wasn't. The Lions/Bears game was originally set for 12noon and then changed to a 3:15pm start. We ended up only seeing the 3rd period of the Blackhawks/Oilers game, but I did get greeted with a "Detroit Sucks" chant by our section. Also, I got to see the Jordan statue!

Pics and video after the jump...

Media from the weekend:

Sat, Nov 12, 2011 - Michigan at Illinois
Pictures (on Picasa)
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Sun, Nov, 13 2011 - Michigan vs Purdue
Pictures (on Picasa)
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

I drove up early Friday morning with my dad. We made it to Michigan in good time and drove all around Monroe to see different places we lived and visited. We were able to see the houses I remember the most (on Goutz Rd and on Dixie Hwy), in addition to a house I have heard many things about (Steffas Rd). The house on Steffas was the one my mom and dad lived at when I was born. It was where I spent my first couple years in this world. The nostalgia continued as we ate lunch at Detroit Beach Pizzeria. You know it's a good day when you can get some mostaccioli casserole and pizza.

Our weekend had just begun... there were games to attend! Details after the jump.

After eating, we checked into the hotel in Belleville for a quick nap and then headed to Ann Arbor. We made it to Yost just in time for the start of the game. It was fun to finally get to see Michigan hockey live and the crowd was surprisingly into it for what I considered to be a lesser opponent. Michigan won 4-0 and did seem to overmatch Ferris State, but there were a few shots off the pipes that could have made it a little closer.

Saturday morning, we ate at Denny's since they no longer exist in Tennessee. We made it to Ann Arbor a couple hours early and took that opportunity for me to buy some Michigan apparel. I also took dad to see the new Michigan bball player development center (impressive btw). The game was awesome of course. We were in a section that people actually stood up and cheered, so that was nice. There was a father/son to our left and right and in front of us were two long time Michigan fans from Canada attending their first game. It started to rain right at the end, but nothing my trusty Michigan poncho couldn't combat.

After the game, we headed over to visit with Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Jerry and little Anastasia. We had a nice dinner and got a chance to catch up. Jennifer hooked it up big time by getting some fresh apple cider and "cider doughnuts" (cinnamon sugar cake doughnuts... mmmmmm)! Probably the highlight, though, was watching Anastasia and Jennifer playing a dance game on the Wii. I may or may not have a video on my BlackBerry to prove it We finished the day at the hotel and watching some of the late college football games.

On a side note, I am proud I was able to spend $0 in the state of Ohio on this trip. I was a little concerned I'd have to stop for gas, but was able to time things just right.

Media from the weekend:

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 - Michigan vs Ferris St.
Pictures (on Picasa)
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 - Michigan vs Purdue
Pictures (on Picasa)
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Saturday, November 12 (TBA) - Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines (Memorial Stadium)
Sunday, November 13 (12pm) - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions (Soldier Field)
Sunday, November 13 (6pm) - Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers (United Center)

The only lingering question is what time we leave for Champaign. If the game is at 11am, we may just drive up Friday night and get a crappy hotel somewhere close (it's a 5 hour drive). We may also decide to be mountain men and drive up morning of (not a fan of this idea). If the game is at 2:30pm, we most definitely are driving up Saturday morning. After the game, we will return our rental car in Chicago and check in our hotel. Sunday will be packed with two games before we fly back to BNA early on Monday morning. I love 1.5 hour flights! Check out our seat locations after the jump.

Section 205, Row 38, Seats 5-6

Section 308, Row 17, Seats 1-2

Section 334, Row 13, Seats 19-20

Here is a link to their first video in the series and the other two are after the jump: