Closing Ceremony

Closing Ceremony were similar to the Opening Ceremony in that they didn't really make since to me.  I wondered what everything meant and why they had all the odd vehicles and characters.

I also wondered why they had the athletes come in and start the program and then stop for about 20 minutes.

Athletes entering the stadium.

It was pretty cool when they brought the flags of the countries in.  The Fire heart was very impressive.

Parade of Flags.

However, they were losing me, that is until Cold Play came on stage!!!  Really enjoyed the concert and found some of the light show, and performers to be fun and interesting.

Cold Play with the crazy vehicles by the stage.

Cold Play

Rihanna with Cold Play

Lowering of the Paralympic Flag

 It is always sad to see the lowering and removing of the Paralympic Flag.   As well as the extinguishing of the flame.  I get a bit sad and teary eyed as I know this is the end for another 4 years.

Removing of the Paralympic Flag.

The Flame

Extinguishing the Flame

It was a great time.  London did a really great job organizing and running the games.  The volunteers were excellent, helpful and very friendly.  Hats off to the Britts!!

David came away with a Silver and Gold, he did his country proud.  I know that all his fans in London are very impressed and proud of all he has done.  He is an inspiration to us all.  Now it is time to think ahead.......Rio in 4 years!!!!

Silver Singles, Gold Doubles!!!

Tennis has concluded and David takes home a Silver and a Gold!!!  We are very proud of him and how he represented the USA!!!  Of course we were hoping for the Gold in singles as he has worked so very hard to be in top form this year!  I guess it wasn't meant to be.

It was a long day waiting as he was second on after noon, which means it all depends on how long the first match goes.  That first match really seemed to go forever.....well, three sets in the heat!!!  The wait was killing us, I can't imagine how hard that is as a player.  You want to get on the court and play and the longer it takes the more the nerves kick in!!

It has been a great experience and the people have been wonderful here.  David now has new fans and we had a few of the volunteers who actually looked for and took care of us.  One of them, Joanne, would always help us get "our seats" together.

Joanne, our favorite volunteer!!  She was wonderful!!

After David's match we celebrated with pictures and then we all, 13 went to dinner!!  We ended up at a Brazilian restaurant......Rio here we come!

Nick getting his Bronze!

David on the medal stand.

Silver and Bronze for the USA!!

David with Kim and Shane

Tracey, David and I

The whole group!!!

Dinner w/ David and both medals!

Gold and Silver, Nice Job!!

David getting pictures with new fans!

To finish our day we took the tube to see the Tower Bridge with the lights on.  What a beautiful bridge!  The only disappointment was the Paralympic sign was up so the bridge could go up to let a boat through.  We waited for it to go down with the lift, but it didn't.  After 20 minutes we decided to head back.....it was a very long day and we were so ready for bed!!  Tonight closing ceremony and then up early for our flight home to the good ole USA!!

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge with the bridge up

Tower of London

Nick wins Bronze!

David's doubles partner took on Israel today in the bronze medal match.  He played smart and very determined, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.  It is Nick's first individual medal and he was really excited, as we were, with the win.

Nick after his win!!

The bracket!

 This means we, the USA, will have 2 on the podium on Saturday.  Hopefully, it will be Gold and Bronze!!  It will be a very intense, and nerve racking match.  I hope David takes the Gold, he has worked so very hard the last few years and is so very deserving.

We also were entertained, during the first match, by the Welsh Guard.  They were impressive and I bet very HOT in their uniforms.

Please everyone, think great thoughts for David and if you feel the need to cheer he goes on the court sometime in the afternoon.....as they say 2nd on after 12.  So, it won't be before 1.
                                                              Go WAGS, GO!!!!!

Gold Baby!!!!

A great end to the day.......GOLD in Doubles Wheel Chair Tennis!!!!  David and Nick worked hard against the Brits and their 3000 fans.  We had about 20 people in the stands and we held our own on the noise level.  Our U S A, U S A, chants have gotten quite loud.  They had nothing on us and the FAT HEADS!!!  In fact we have quite the following by the volunteers.  They love the Fat Heads!!

Wags serving

Nick serving

Chatting after a point

Wags serving with help from above!?!

GOLD!!!

They did it with team work and confidence in one another!

On the Gold Medal Stand

Yeh, Gold Baby!!

With fans!!

David with Fans and Family.

It was a very intense match going 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.  We were on the edge of our seats, but they stayed composed and believed in one another and it was GOLD for all their perseverance.
                                                         Way to go Wags and Nick!!!

A sunny day and another win!!

We have created our routine......get up, shower, eat, walk to the tube and head to the tennis center in the Paralympic park.  Once there we find, a USA coach or David and get our "players family passes" so we can all sit together.  Once we have those in hand we must get our David fat heads and settle in for the upcoming match.

Today, we all arrived and were ready, even Kaili was ready for Uncle David to play.

It was a good match and David played really well, winning 6-3, 6-0.  It was wonderful to watch.  We even got several of the ball kids to participate in cheering with the fat heads.

David after a great shot hitting the end line.

Yes, the match is mine!!

Tomorrow is the doubles finals......going for the gold against Great Britain.   We are all resting our voices so we can be as loud or louder than the Brits!!!  We have all of our tattoos, face paint and red white and blue ready to go!!  Kristin and Randy, we could use your voices tomorrow, wish you were here to help cheer!!!

Doubles win!!!!

David and Nick won their doubles match today against Israel, 6-3, 6-7 with a tie breaker in the 2nd set.  It was an awesome match with a lot of rallies and great shots by both teams.  It was stressful to watch and yet a really fun match.  We all were on the edge of our seats or trying not to watch.  So, HAPPY they pulled it out.

The David "fat heads" ready to roll!!

Nick getting ready to serve.

David serving.

Conference time.

Happy after the match.

Before the match, we took time out to go see 7 a side soccer.  It was the US and Brazil.  Unfortunately we lost,  when we left it was 7-0, but it was fun to see it.  So far we have seen more than we had a chance to see in China.  I am hoping we might be able to get into rugby and goal ball before we leave.

It was a long day, but a great one!!  We are all quite tired and I am sure we will all sleep well.  Good night all!!