Holiday Halftime Show!

The last home game of 2011 the Colts played the Texans and the halftime show was brought to you by the Colts Cheerleaders.

Jr. Cheerleaders performed alongside of the Cheerleaders during this show. And we paid tribute to the best album that came out just in time for Christmas this year, thanks to Justin Bieber. Yes, you read that correctly; the Colts Cheerleaders got Bieber Fever this holiday season!!

Even Santa Claus and his elves joined us for this spectacular performance.
Watch the performance by clicking here!

Putting together a show like this always requires an addition Saturday (or two) at the office! Yours truly even found herself performing on the field during this show. Never in a million years did I think I would perform in front of thousands of people at Lucas Oil Stadium. But this very day, it most definitely happened!

For the first two songs, I was solely in charge of Jr. Cheerleaders' formations (just making sure they got to the right place at the right time!). The third and final song (Santa Claus is coming to town) I ran down to the 10 yard line and danced in front of the Jr. Cheerleaders so they had someone they could follow. If you look closely in the video, you may see me!

Considering this was our Christmas Game, we got festive! While all of the Cheerleaders were out at their morning practice, Heather and I hung stockings with care! In these stockings was a make-up bag, some festive candies, and DVDs of previous performances. Doesn't our locker room look lovely?

Since this was a Thursday night game, NFL Network aired the game live. A group of the Cheerleaders were asked to be a part of the show. I am always intrigued (and genuinely amazed) at what all takes to get a show on air. Here's a look at the pre-game filming that we did:

Christmas Caroling at Riley

It definitely was a once in a lifetime opportunity: On December 19, four cheerleaders, six football players, Mr. Irsay and a variety of other Colts employees, went caroling through the halls of Riley Hospital for Children.

My task this day: walk alongside of the guitar player, holding his music. But more importantly I was the one who chose the songs which we would grace these children with. And the award for the most popular song that day goes to: Jingle Bells. It was a safe choice considering its simple tune and the fact that it could be shortened to a single verse, or even better, just the chorus. Furthermore the less the players had to sing the better my ears were :) I only say this in good spirit! It truly was amazing to see guys like Justin Snow and Anthony Castanzo walking the halls on their day off, singing to these children. The smiles that formed in the faces of these children will forever be plastered in my memory.

How beautiful each and every one of these kids were. Forever I will be inspired by their strength.

Fall Frenzy!

It seems that too easily life can take over, and personal blogging can no longer remain routine. Yet, my love for photography and capturing life through images remains. So what better place to share them, than in this post, which I have titled Fall Frenzy!

It's a true blessing to be able to relive moments through images, some of my favorite fall memories from 2011 are as follows:

A trip to Brown County with Mom, Dad, Grandma White, and Clayton. They say no place is more beautiful than Brown County in the fall--I can attest to that fact.

Back in Goshen, Clayton and I decided to spend a Saturday afternoon carving pumpkins. First step: go the the pumpkin patch at Kercher's Orchard to pick out the prize winning gourds!

The finished products: a spooky ghost due and a chicken (guess whose is whose--It's not very hard when the chicken guy is one of the carvers)!

October 31 can always be celebrated by those who are young at heart (and technically speaking are still young)! We thoroughly enjoyed getting Halloween costumes around this year: a ladybug and lumberjack. We celebrated with a few friends in Goshen.

As the weather gets a bit chillier, nothing is more rejuvenating than a warm cup of coffee with a friend at The Brew (Goshen's local coffee shop). I have been quite blessed that most weekends when I return to Goshen, Bethany and I are able to catch up over a warm beverage.

On November 13, the Colts honored all of those who have served or still serve in the military (a NFL wide event). In light of this occasion, the Cheer Department was placed in charge of putting together a halftime show! With the help of 18 local dance teams, 100 Jr. Cheerleaders, the 42 Colts Cheerleaders, and almost 150 service men and women, we pulled it off. This photo shows how we ended.

This game Dad was also a part of the group accepting a check for IU Simon Cancer Center from the Colts.

And we surprised Mom, with a "Happy Birthday" game-day greeting (see the message board below the big screen)!

I truly enjoy baking and with more free time in the evenings, I find myself testing out new recipes. Just in time for Thanksgiving I found a Rice Krispy Treat recipe, which made these fun turkeys!

As November comes to a close, we see football season winding down as well--sadly because Sundays are never the same without football. Yet, I will never forget the days at the stadium when we are able to open the roof for brisk, fall day game!

Oh the simple joys of fall.

Saying Good-Bye to Grandpa

When an individuals earthly life ends, those who remain must find ways to cope.

It was November 25, when I had to say good-bye to Grandpa (the first of my grandparents to pass).

Grandpa had been living in a nursing home for four years at the time he suffered a mild stroke. Shortly thereafter his health took a turn for the worse. Never before have I sat alongside of an individual as they die. A powerfully draining week.

Yet, through the tough times, it provided a unique opportunity for The White Family to come together. We spent many late nights beside Grandpa's bed, both laughing and crying where some of the greatest memories surfaced.


Here's my absolute favorite photo, which was taken just a few days before his passing:

Dear Grandpa,
I love you! Forever I will cherish the summers I got to spend with you and grandma--our adventures at Lemon Lake and our many attempts at catching squirrels in your backyard. Because of who you were and all that you did, I embrace my love for the Game Show Network, afternoon naps, corduroy recliners, and most of all ice cream (or just my love for sweats in general). You will forever be a part of my life--I am me because of you! I can't wait to see you again soon!
Love Always,
Alicia

May you Rest In Peace, PJ. Until we meet again!

Veterans Day Game

November 13, 2011: a Sunday that was long and highly anticipated.

Every year, during the month of November, the NFL the honors veterans and active duty members of the military. The Colts' home game on the 13th against the Jaguars was the selected military appreciation game.

All games begin with a skit by our very own mascot, BLUE. But this games' skit was unique...we were all peeking out from the tunnel, trying watching it, and admittedly shed a few tears.

Photo Credit: Matt Bowen
Watch Blue's Big Surprise

BLUE rocks! Welcome Home, Army Specialist John Pezan!

After the skit, a pre-game full-field American flag presentation occurred (this happens at every home game during the playing of the National Anthem). Members of the military are invited to hold the edges of the flag, along with players, coaches and staff from both teams. When the words, "O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave," are sung, all those holding the flag begin to wave their arms, and the audience erupts in cheer.

Next in the program, was the Cheer Department's task for the game: a halftime show that paid tribute to the service men and women.

Not a seemingly huge deal, right? Wrong. We decided to invite a dozen local dance studios, over 100 members of the military (with all branches represented), our 100 Jr. Cheerleaders, and 42 Cheerleaders to be involved with the program. Our glorious show had 300+ people on the field for just under 6 minutes. Needless to say we had long Tuesday/Thursday night practices, and additional Saturday practices added in.

Needless to say, we decided to go for the 'WOW' factor"!

Take a look at our Halftime Performance

What made it worth it: upon conclusion of the performance we had almost everyone in the stadium on their feet, clapping and wiping tears from their eyes.

Of course none of this would have been possible without our remarkable choreographer, Michelle Allison.

"A Crucial Catch"

Throughout the month of October all aspects of the NFL turned pink. In support of the fight against breast cancer, the NFL ran the campaign: A Crucial Catch.

The Colts greeted the month of October with arms wide open at Pink Monday. On October 3, the canal was taken over with live music, limited edition pink posters, and simply by making all things pink at the Ohio Street basin on the Downtown Canal. This even includes pinking the canal...and I mean literally making the water of Indianapolis' Downtown Canal pink!


Unfortunately the Colts only had one home game during the month of October on the 9th. But we still had a lot of fun with it! The girls got pink jerseys, pink poms, pink earrings; quite honestly everything was pink that Sunday (even Blue)!



The most meaningful part of this day, was that Sue (Clayton's mom), who is a breast cancer survivor, was able to stand on the field during the pre-game show with 100s of other women fighting and beating this same disease. They held large pink ribbons and stars, celebrating their own lives and raising awareness for this important campaign.

What a beautiful way to help make a difference in breast cancer prevention.

Playground Build

This project is a true example of what it means to say that the Community Relations Department is "The Heart Behind the Horseshoe"! And in fact, it exemplifies that all those who work in the Colts Marketing Department believe in the power of giving back to the surrounding community.

On Tuesday, September 27, the Colts held their 4th Annual Playground Build! In 5 hours, 175 volunteers from the Colts, Lucas Oil Products, National Starch, Stonegate Mortgage, and the Northeast Indianapolis Community helped to build a playground at Joyce Kilmer School #69.

Prior to the day, there was very little on this 3,000 square foot plot of land:

All of the 175 volunteers did their part to help the build go smoothly. Heather and I assisted with Check-In and keeping organization within the food tent (breakfast was provided by Meijer and lunch from Pen Station!)

A majority of those who volunteered their time were involved with mulching, building the playground, painting, landscaping, and/or aiding to make any and all improvements that could be made to the school and at a nearby home.


Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:15 p.m. the day was a success! It honestly would not have been possible without each and every individual who was in attendance!

And of course, the final product (because it was hidden by all the volunteers in previous picture):Take a look at our day through video by clicking here!