First let us just state, we have nothing against Alabama. Second, we’d like to congratulate Alabama and Notre Dame for making it to the BCS Championship game 2013. Third, rah, rah for Notre Dame!

We grew up in a household of Notre Dame fans. It started with our grandpa, and it worked its way down to us. As we grew older, we had come to know about and love the Catholic school, its traditions…and their football team.

Why you ask? Because…

• Still to this day, every time we watch Rudy, we weep with tears of joy. Something about that movie makes ND a place of such hope and dreams.
• My parents took us on a trip to South Bend for a Notre Dame football game…there is nothing like it. It’s pure magic and an unbelievable feeling of family and pride.
• On a college visit to Saint Mary’s College, located across the street from Notre Dame University, I also toured ND. It’s such a beautiful campus and a place of special traditions.
• I attended the Fiesta Bowl in 2006 with my mom and grandparents when Notre Dame played for the Tostitos crown. Not only will I always remember a fun trip with my mom/grandparents, but at that point in my life, I admit, I really loved ND because I was in love with Brady Quinn.
• ND reminds us of our grandpa {who will be watching every minute of the BCS game}.

 So, on Monday night, you know we will be cheering the Notre Dame Victory March…

Rally sons of Notre Dame:
Sing her glory and sound her fame,
Raise her Gold and Blue
And cheer with voices true:
Rah, rah, for Notre Dame
We will fight in ev-ry game,
Strong of heart and true to her name
We will ne’er forget her
And will cheer her ever
Loyal to Notre Dame

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send a volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to victory. 

Whatever the outcome, we hope it’s a good game, we hope you watch it…and of course, we hope you ‘PARTY LIKE A CHAMPION.’ Here’s some ideas to get your started…

1st Quarter – Drinks
A variety of wine and beer, including Guinness, and Jameson too!

For a fun football touch {and favor}, make your friends a ND turf koozie. Tutorial for an Astroturf Koozie can be found at Little House in the Big D.

2nd Quarter – Apps
Guacamole and Chips
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip, recipe by Paula Deen here
Chicken Nachos {lite}, With Style and Grace recipe here

3rd Quarter – Dinner
Tailgate Club Sandwich Bar, designed by Courtney from Pizzazzerie at Forrent.com

Chili Bar, Chris from Celebrations at Home

4th Quarter – Dessert
Football Pennant Cookies, tutorial at Forrent.com via Courtney of Pizzazzerie

Football-shaped desserts, such as football-shaped brownies and football chocolate covered strawberries, that we featured in a previous post here.

And, when the fighting Irish win, cheers with a Luck of the Irish Whiskey Cocktail from the Cooking Channel

 Don’t forget about decor…here’s our gold and blue {ok, mainly gold} inspiration board.
 

Tell us, who are you rooting for?

{images via Cooking Channel, Forrent.com, Little House in the Big D,  Celebrations at Home, beer printable: Bird’s Party, diy confetti art: Mint Love Social Club, gold pom pom: Plum Party, play like a champion today sign: ESPN,  metallic hot cocoa bar with free printables: Hostess with the Mostess, gold-dipped wine glasses: Babble, sparkly ‘midnight’ NYE party: Hostess with the Mostess, metallic gold mason jars: Lovely Little Details}