All Star Hockey Weekend

All Star Hockey weekend.  It was something on Ryan's bucket list to attend and this year it was in Nashville.  As soon as we found out dates mom booked a room at the Omni Hotel.  Go big or go home right?  Room was booked, tickets were accounted for and dinner reservations were planned!  Friday night we started at Jimmy Kelly's.  Hello, Barker party of 16!!!  It started out as just 4, then 6, then 10, by Friday there were 16 total!!!  That poor girl making the reservations!  I'm sure she was tired of Ryan calling and changing it!  We were excited because it was our first weekend away from all the boys.  We missed them but this was much needed!! 

The special that night was a bone-in filet! Do What?!?! Yes please!  Then Ryan got the big idea that he wanted his Oscar style.  Filet, topped with lobster or crab with a creamy sauce on top, make that two please!  It was to die for!  And those scalloped potatoes!  Heaven!  Lots of exclamation points!!!!!

We spent a lot of our time at the bar inside Omni called, Barlines.  Cool atmosphere, yummy drinks, the best grilled pimento cheese and awesome music at night! 

Saturday started the Skills competition which was my favorite.  All the guys get out there and do what they do best.  If you didn't watch it on TV then you missed out!  There were some pretty funny moments.  

One of the buildings was set up for what was called Fan Fair.  It consisted of a bunch of vendors giving away free stuff and offering different things from food, drinks, hockey simulation, trying on real hockey gear and photo ops like this one with the real Stanley Cup.  We probably waited in line 30-45 to have this picture taken.  Some people made reservations then everyone else was after those who had reservations.  We figured it was a once in a life time thing and we better take advantage.  

Since its Nashville and Nashville is full of country music they had lots of little mini concerts.  We watched Kelsea Ballerini and Dierks Bentley preform before the All Star game on Saturday.  Dierks was also a celebrity coach on one of the teams.  He also plays in a hockey league when he isn't touring.  His team is called the IceHoles.  Too funny!!! 

Sunday was the All star game.  We got up that morning and took a Lyft (similar to Uber) to 417 Union for breakfast.  Our bell hop at the Omni recommended it for its bacon bloody mary.  The breakfast was AMAZING!

I highly recommend it!

Mom pre-gaming and sporting her All-Star gear!

2016 All Star game!

Final Score 

Atlantic 4 – Metropolitan 3
Pacific 9 – Central 6
Pacific 1 – Atlantic 0

We had a blast!  There is something about Nashville hockey and their fans!  Liam is getting close to the age where he can start taking lessons to see if he likes it!  I know his daddy and grandy are excited for that day!