It's been a banner start for Luke & Clare in the sporting world. They already have been around for a triple crown winner (just like their dads in '77 and '78 who experienced a triple crown in their first opportunity), and now their first Stanley Cup!!
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| Many thanks to Aunt Ro, Aunt Amy, and Aunt Amy's Aunt Jane for helping make this happen!! |
Who knew back in mid-April when the twins took this picture,
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| About 16 more games to go at this point! |
that the Blackhawks season would end with a 3rd cup for the Hawks in 6 seasons?!? The twins faithfully sported their Hawks gear throughout the playoffs to show their support.
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| Luke loved his jersey...it's still big enough to wear for a 4th Cup try next year! |
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| Clare even found a way to accessorize her Hawks attire! |
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| Aunt Ro kept things alive while dads were on vacation and things looked grim against Anaheim |
All of this support, I am sure, was the difference in the successful Hawks playoff run. So, what better way for the twins to celebrate their first Stanley Cup than to attend the Hawks rally at Soldier Field?? What seemed like an impossible idea became a reality when Aunt Ro scored us tickets. So, we all trekked down to Soldier Field (not sure we will be heading here for any successful Bears event in the near future),
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| Aunt Ro was assigned to carry Clare... |
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| and Daddy transported Luke |
and found our seats.
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| They were more excited than they looked! |
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| Not too far from the stage, sitting/standing in section 101 |
We waited for the Hawks caravan to arrive, watching some of the parade on the jumbotrons and soaking up the atmosphere of Soldier Field.
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| Watching the guys hold the Stanley Cup never gets old! |
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| Clare chilling out at Soldier Field with Aunt Ro and Aunt Amy |
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| Luke and Dad likin' the view |
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| The twins participated in their first crowd wave |
It wasn't long before we saw some familiar Blackhawk personalities begin to appear,
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Blackhawks owner and chairman Rocky Wirtz came out to sign some autographs...later he spoke and
got the crowd 'rocky-ing' when he said there sure was a lot of rain on Monday night, but no LIGHTNING!! |
and the always outstanding Jim Cornelison who got the crowd going nuts with the Star Spangled Banner,
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| If you've never been a part of this, you need to some day |
including his iconic 'signature move'!!
The rally officially started with an appearance by Patrick Kane,
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| #88 introduced 'his friend' Jonathan Toews who 'has something to show you' |
followed by the Stanley Cup!!
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| The Captain presents the Cup! |
After Blackhawks announcer Pat Foley gave credit to the many member of the Hawks supporting cast, future Hall of Fame Coach Quenneville took the podium.
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| He was 'Qeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed' on his way up to the mic, of course! |
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| '2010 was about Kane's puck magic, 2013 was about 17 seconds, and 2015 was all about TEAM'! |
Then, one by one, the players that brought the Stanley Cup back to Chicago once again thrilled the crowd.
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| Duncan Keith came out with his dunCONN SMYTHE playoff MVP trophy...well deserved |
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Patrick Sharp said how awesome it was to win it all in Chicago...we will
likely have to learn how to enjoy the Hawks without him next year :( |
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I'm not sure exactly what star goalie (first Hawks goalie to win
2 Cups!) Corey Crawford said but I think it involved the word f*&%! |
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'Party animal' Patrick Kane hoisted the Cup and reminded
us to 'watch out' for him in the upcoming weeks |
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Captain Toews, an obvious victim of a late night,
'struggled' his way through thanking the fans! |
Throughout the excitement of seeing all of the Hawks players lift the Cup and give speeches, the twins hung in there just fine!
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| Clare switched holders to Aunt Amy and even took a little cat nap |
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| No Knapp'n for Luke...despite the droopy eyes, he toughed the entire rally out |
Then things got really crazy. The confetti canons started up and 'Chelsea Dagger' blared through the speakers (if you listen reaaaaaaal carefully, you'll hear the cries of a tired little boy in the background...guess who?!?),
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| Every player held the Cup up in triumph |
followed by (the song that makes you feel on top of the world) 'We are the Champions'.
It was an awesome couple of hours. While the twins had a great time, they sure were pooped.
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| One tired little boy slept the entire trip back north up Lake Shore Drive |
Who knows, with the twins sporting luck so far, maybe a 12th world series in 2015 is in the Cards?!?
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| I'm sure a box of Brewers stuff will be on its way to our home soon now!! |
