Tuscaloosa Gameday

I had tickets to the Alabama game Saturday in Tuscaloosa, it was a late game so I didn't really want to take Barrett.  I knew Brittany and I would have a blast.  We had so much fun the two years we were at Alabama together and I was ready to relive the glory days. 

We got there, got parked and headed over to my cousin's house to hang out.  We visited for a while and then headed out to see the sights.  We walked by the stadium and it was almost time for the team to arrive so we waited around to see that.  Then we walked all through sorority row to see the new houses.  (They are huge!)

We made a pit stop in front of Tut to make our picture before they tear it down.  I've made so many memories in that building.  From cheerleading camp to my freshmen year.  I'm sad they're tearing it down. 

We walked back up in front of the quad on our way back to the stadium.  I love Denny Chimes.   There was a big crowd for it to be a cupcake game. 

I was so excited about how good our outfits looked together.  Also this is my accountability partner and she looks amazing.  I'm so proud of how far we've come.  It's been many years since we sat in that stadium together and I'm so thankful that we're still friends.

And I know I include a picture of Matthew every year but I just can't get over how old he is.  He came to my house to tailgate before his first Alabama game when he was just 2 or 3 years old.  Now he's 14 and taller than me. 

We had the best time and I've decided that this is the perfect friend day because you're trapped in the car for at least and hour each way so you get lots of time to catch up.  And then the game is just so much fun anyway.  I'm hoping to get back down for another game this season but I don't know if it'll happen. 

And we won!

Roll Tide!

Thanksgiving, Kickball, Girl's Night and the Iron Bowl

I hate lumping the whole weekend in one post but I'm afraid i'll never get it all posted if I don't! :)

We had a crazy busy, exhaustingly fun long weekend.  

Barrett spent a little time on the ipad before we got the day started.  He looks so big.

For Thanksgiving lunch we went to my Grandmother's house.  They boys worked on building a new deck.  Porter was prepared with his took box and safety glasses.

This is the only picture I took of Barrett all day.  After lunch we picked up Patrick and went to the Horton's for dinner.  As usual I took zero pictures.

On Friday my big brother planned a family kickball game.  It did not disappoint.  Mom and Dad were team captains.  Mom chose both of my brothers and my sister and my dad chose me.  Dad's team dominated the first game.  

I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  It was so much fun!  My little brother set up his GoPro camera and we loved watching the footage.

During the second game I had a couple of memory lapses and made a fool of myself but I survived.

I just love that the whole family played (except my Patrick, he had to work.).  My parents played and ever Barrett toddled around the outfield and kicked the ball a few times.  It was so much fun.  I hope we get to do it again while everyone is around for Christmas.

Friday night Brittany and I hosted a little girls night paint party.  I invited all my "boy mom" friends.  All of our boys are right around the same age.  We painted doorhangers and I thought they turned out so cute.

We had a fun night laughing and painting.
Saturday was the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.  I was so excited.  Jennifer and I planned on watching the game and my cousin's house but I ended up getting a ticket and we found Jennifer one too so we both got to go.  I loved the night games when i was in school.  Now that I have to travel to the games I don't enjoy them as much.  It makes for such a late night. We ventured to the quad to see what was going on. Meanwhile back home Patrick was trying to corrupt my son.  I can't get over how big he looks here. Last week at Lowe's BB bought him this flashlight.  He's been using it as a headlight on this push toy.  He cracks me up. Ms. Linda picked up this book and I love it.  It is so cute and so sweet
I got to sit with my sister.  The other girl was an Auburn fan we made friends with.  She reminded up so much of our sister-in-law Hope that we had to take her picture.
Then I went to find my other friends.  I'm pretty sure Matt wonders why he's friends with me.  I like to think it's because I'm fun, I think it's because he feels sorry for me. It was a long night.  I was crawling in the bed as Patrick's alarm clock was going off.  I've never felt as old as I did Sunday. Monday I finally got the ornaments on the tree and our halls are officially decked! 'Tis the season!

2014 Homecoming at the Capstone

Saturday was Homecoming in Tuscaloosa.  It was really late this year.  I really wanted to go and take Barrett.  Patrick was supposed to go with us but he ended up having to work.  We left Gardendale around 9:00am and traffic was at a stand still in Fultondale.  Luckily my mom noticed it before we got on the the on ramp.  After our little detour we made it just in time to walk to the end of my cousin's street to watch the parade.

Barrett was a little scared at first but he eventually warmed up and started waving at all the pretty sorority pledges. 

He did not like when the big trucks blew their horns.  I loved getting to do this with him.   

He did great all day.  It was very surreal to see Barrett and Matthew playing.  Matthew came to his first Alabama game when I was in school.  He was just a little older than Barrett.  Now he's as tall as I am.  The kids were so sweet to let Barrett play with them. 

Before long it was time to head to the stadium.  We had to get our picture in front of the sign.

Barrett didn't get take a nap and he started to get fussy during the game.  Luckily the sweet lady behind us shared her popcorn with him and he was happy.

Ava sat with us too.  It wasn't that long ago that I took her to her first Bama game.

He was very interested in the dancers.  He liked the football too.  He cheered and clapped.  

I just loved getting to take him to the game.  I took him to homecoming last year and I'm hoping we can make it a tradition.  I was so proud I didn't cry at all.  I did get a little teary eyed while we were watching the parade and again when we first got to the stadium.  I just love being a mom and I love getting to share things that I love with my son.  He may or may not like football or Alabama and that's okay but until he decides I'm going to enjoy days like this.  I hope I never take for granted how blessed we are to get to do these things with our baby.  

Week-in-Review

We've had a fun week.  

Last Tuesday my friend Brittany invited me to attend a dinner and live auction to support Just Keep Smiling.  It was so much fun.  We didn't win anything but I loved the auction.  It was very exciting.  They also played "Minute to Win It" type games and our table was called to send up a person.  I volunteered to go and I had to stack ding-dong snack cakes on my forehead.  I didn't win but it was still fun. I thought this was a pretty picture of Brittany and me before we went in. We finally got Barrett a new carseat for Patrick's truck.  He was very excited about his box.  Patrick cut a door and a window in it. They played in it all night.
Saturday I headed to Tuscaloosa.  For an unexpectedly big game.  It was a cold one and we won! So that always makes for a fun day! This is a terrible picture of me but Jennifer and I had so much fun together. I didn't take any pictures because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen.  Luckily it still works but Patrick's got to replace the screen.  After the game we went to the Houndstooth.  It was fun.  Every time I go there I feel older and older.   Sunday, Barrett and I braved the yucky weather to go to church.  After church we went to John and Hope's house so Patrick could help John run all the wires for the TV through the wall.  Barrett was trying to do whatever the boys did.  It was cute.  We enjoyed getting to visit with them.   Now it's about 30 degrees and we're just trying to stay warm.  I'm not usually a Christmas music before Thanksgiving kind of person but this weather has me in the spirit.  Maybe I'll put the trees up this week... Maybe not.

Later Gators

Saturday was the SEC opener for the Tide.  We loaded up Saturday morning to head to Tuscaloosa.  Traffic was a nightmare.  We had to make one stop at John's exit to give him something.  We ended up having to stop at a rest stop because someone couldn't hold it until we got there.  Which if you know my dad is huge because growing up he would only stop one time on the way to the beach, a five hour drive.  We finally made it.  I think it took us close to two hours.  Not fun.  I was a little nervous because this was the first time in 10 years that we weren't hosting the tailgate.  Luckily my cousin and his wife invited us to tailgate at their house and it worked out perfectly.  they live almost the exact distance from the stadium as John's apartment.  It was different being at a house that wasn't occupied by college kids but it was fun!  I was also nervous that i was going to be the only "kid" there.  Not that my parents aren't great but part of the fun of past tailgates have been all the people.  Turns out I was all worried for nothing.  

My sister and her husband came.  She was so happy to see me.

Before we knew it, it was time to head to the stadium.  I sat with my dad.  He has fun seats.  It was a beautiful, hot day.  Like really hot.  I was so happy we were in the shade for the last half.
We had a god time. After the game we headed back to my cousin's house to hang out.  My cousin Mark made an appearance. 
Some of the "M" cousins.  Mark, Mary Margaret and Me.  (Mary Margaret is actually a second cousin.  Her dad is my first cousin, we were at their house.)
We missed everyone that wasn't there.  I didn't take very many pictures.  I was too busy visiting.  I'm not sure I'll get to go to any more games this season but I hope to make at least one more.  I'd like for Barrett and Patrick to go.  As far as the actual game goes, holy moly did they grease the ball?  We couldn't hold on to it for anything, for a while there I was nervous.  Thankfully we got our act together pulled out a big win.  Looking forward to the week off.

Tailgate Time: LSU Edition

I love our tailgate family.

Saturday we gathered for our last "official" tailgate of the season. (There's still one more home game but not everyone was going to be there so we decided this would "officially" be the last of 2013.  There's several people missing but this was the best we could do.  

We had cajun themed food and we decided it was the most delicious tailgate we've had.  Ten years and three locations later we're still friends.  I still can't believe it's been that long since I hosted the first tailgate.  I was so excited to have everyone join us on gameday.  That was back during the Shula years and we all know that we weren't exactly winning but we never let that get us down.  

We were at that house for 3 years and  it was a great house for tailgating.  I loved it.  Then we moved to the house where my sister and I shared a room for a semester.  We stayed at that house for 5 seasons and two National Championships.  We loved that house too.  We had a lot of room there.  (This is the post where we moved out of that house.)

The last two seasons we've been at the apartment.   Our little group has migrated the few blocks every few seasons and we're so glad.  I wish we had a record of all the folks that have joined us over the years.  

I love this funny group shot.  

Sister and I before we headed out to the game.

Matt felt left out. 

The Million Dollar Band made an elephant to welcome the team to the field.
Big Bama spell out.
We ventured to the quad since we had so much time before kickoff.  Love this picture of my sister, mom and me.
It was snowing on the strip.
I hated leaving this little guy for the day but it was just to late of a night for him.  He looked so cute in his new shirt.
We had a great day tailgating and enjoying the food.  A dog wondered up to us outside so we walked for blocks trying to find it's owners and gave up.  Then someone showed up looking for her.  I was so happy her owners found her.  She was such a sweet dog and well taken care of we knew she had a home.   Finally the sun went down and it was time to head to the stadium.  My sister sat with me again.  As we were walking to our seats we ran into Sarah Patterson the gymnastics coach.  We were so giddy to see her.  We love gymnastics.  The game started kinda slow and we weren't playing like I thought we should but we turned that around in the second half and we had a blast.  At one point during the 4th quarter I think they were playing Dixieland Delight and the entire stadium was singing and swaying and the upper deck was moving.  It was awesome and creepy.  I loved being there and seeing Nick Saban, the man who shows no emotion, run and leap into QB AJ McCarron's arms after the win.  We went back to the apartment and ate again.  I feel like that's all I did all day.  I was such a fun day but those late games are hard.  I crawled in bed around 3:00am and Barrett was up at 7:00.  It was so worth it but I'm definitely not as young as I used to be.