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

Saturday, Barrett and I along with my parents, niece and nephew, loaded up and headed to Tuscaloosa to the SEC home opener vs Ole Miss.  It was Barrett's first tailgate outside the womb and I think he enjoyed it.  It was a later game so we didn't get down there till around 2:00.  John set up the tent and tv outside so we had the apartment and some space outside too.  It worked out really well.

Barrett was waving bye as we were leaving to go to the game.  He stayed at the apartment with my mom and all the people who didn't go to the game.  I hear they all had a fun time.

He loved the shakers. If you look closely you can see his two bottom teeth.

Love that sweet grin!

Barrett with my cousin Adam.  He graduated from Alabama and his wife graduated from Ole Miss.

Barrett and Nana

Liz and Clay were in town.  She and Barrett got lots of snuggle time in.  

I'm sure this is what most college kids do after football games, play Nintendo 64.  Barrett fell asleep while we were at the game and then woke up when we got home and stayed awake until we left around midnight.  He also woke up when we got home and didn't want to go back to sleep.
Sister went to the game and sat with me.  I was so excited to get to spend so much time with her all to myself.   It was kinda surreal being down there with a baby.  I felt like I was having an identity crisis all day.  I loved having Barrett there with me but I also had a blast at the game, with other adults.  I don't think we'll be making anymore night games though.  It was just to late for both of us.

It's Football Season

It's my favorite time of year.  I love football season.  I love our tailgate "family".  I love getting to visit my baby brother in college.  I love The University of Alabama.  I loved my time there and I love going back to visit.  I also love football.  I love pee wee football, high school football and college football (I'll watch the NFL but I wouldn't say that I love it). 

This year we had a new spot.  My parents sold the house we'd been at for the previous 5 years and moved John into an apartment.  We've never been in an apartment so we were a bit anxious at how it'd all work out.  John's place isn't big by any means but I think we had enough room.

We drove through a monsoon and I just knew it was going to be raining the whole time but it didn't rain a drop once we got there.  It cooled off a bit and actually turned out to be a nice day.  Hope sat by me and John came over from the student section to join us.  I am so thankful for my tickets but that climb to the top of the upper deck proved to be a bit more of a challenge than it has in previous seasons.  I'm thinking its the extra 15lbs I'm carrying but it's so worth it. 

All in all I think our first tailgate at the apartment was a success.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.



The resident manager moved his big screen out into the breezeway so people that didn't have tickets could watch out there.  It was a pretty nice little set up. This was the only picture I took at the game.  I didn't even take my big camera to Tuscaloosa.  I am a slacker.  Don't worry it'll be the first thing packed for our road trip this weekend to Arkansas. 

Weekend of the Century: Part 2

(You can catch up on Part 1 here) We got up bright and early on gameday to watch Gameday.  I had to go to the store for a few things so I headed out.  I went to the Publix on campus, not that this is important, I basically went in my pjs thinking I wouldn't see anyone.  I don't know why I thought that.  There were people everywhere.  I pretended like I wasn't wearing my pjs and started gathering my goods.  I got to the check-out and realized I didn't have my id or card.  So I left my buggy and ran home.  I'm not going to lie the thought crossed my mind that this wasn't a good sign for the day to come.Slowly but surely we all got up and got ready for the day.  After the events the day before we were all a little spent emotionally so it took us a little longer than usual to get into our tailgate groove.  It wasn't too much longer till everyone started filing in. A little later we ventured to the quad.  There were more people in Tuscaloosa for this game than I've ever seen there.  It was unreal

When we got home from the quad Ally was pooped.  It's tough to be carried all that way.  We rested and refueled for the big game.  I was nervous.

Before we left the house.

Amy and I saw this beautiful sunset on the way to our seats.

In our seats.  We managed to spill two drinks before the game even started. The man in front of us (that we spilled a drink on at the UT game) turned to us when he got to his seat and winked.  It was a little creepy but made us laugh.  Apparently he didn't hate us.  The game was frustrating to say the least.  It should have never come down to our kickers or overtime. 

When we went into overtime I went to the bathroom.  I couldn't watch.  I came out of the portal to watch the 2nd overtime and met these two super sweet people.  They weren't even really Bama fans but they consoled me anyway.  They ended up coming back to the house for dinner and drinks.  I enjoyed them.   

I think this photo best describes everyones feelings at the end of the day.  We were all pooped both physically and emotionally.  I was sitting at the table trying to decide if I wanted to drive home or not and I just started crying.  I looked like an idiot.  (It also made the season complete, I some how managed to cry about something every single home game.  It's a gift, or a curse I'm not sure yet.)  I just got to thinking about that being the last tailgate I'd probably go to at that house.  We've had some amazing times there and I was sad thinking about not seeing all these people every Saturday in the Fall.  John will still be down there next year so hopefully we'll have a place to hangout. 

All in all it's been a great season.  The loss hurt, only because we had every opportunity to win and we blew it.  We're on track to get our rematch in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans.  I would give my right arm to be there.  (Which I may have too!) 

Roll Tide Roll!

Gameday Fashion

With kick off less than 40 days away, it's time to start shopping for some gameday outfits.  Now i'd be lying if I said I didn't shop for football season 365 days a year, but in June and July I really start focusing on football.

In true Southern style, we "dress up" for the ball games.  Sundresses are a must for the heat in Alabama.

It's hard to find dresses that are truely Crimson so I mostly settle for red.

link

the Blue Door Boutique

I got this one a couple of weeks ago and I love it.

Forever 21

I've ordered this one, I'm waiting on it to arrive!  I hope it's cute!

**Updated it arrived.  It's not cute.  Totally going back! :(**

Etsy

I love this dainty little ring by Michelle Chang.

 It's subtle and sweet!  With a $98 price tag, it'll have to wait.

link

Another Blue Door Boutique find

I really want this one but I can't justify spending $78 on a gameday dress!

Adabelles

I thought this was cute too with same style as the red one only $40 cheaper.  Not sure I could pull off the stripes! 

Some other cute sites...

Dress for the Game

Tru Colors

Natalie Kim

A-Day

Saturday bright and early, I met up with some tailgaters and we headed to Tuscaloosa.  It was going to be a beautiful day and I was excited.

Coach Saban's statue at the Walk of Champions.  I'm just going to give my honest opinion here.  The statue is atrocious. His head is to big or something and it looks weird. 

My little brother and sister.

We then headed to Denny Chimes to see the 2010 Co-Captains hand prints.

After that we finally made it to the stadium. I love Bryant-Denny Stadium. Something about that place makes me smile every single time I walk in there.

After the game we headed back to the house and has hot dogs.

All in all it was a great day!

Teaching the Bulldawgs to Behave

Also known as Porter's first Bama game.

We had a great day of family, friends, food and football.  I also got to share my love for Alabama with Ava and Porter. Ava has been to a couple of games but Porter had never been.  He wasn't supposed to get to go Saturday but when he got his own shaker and insisted he was going to the ballgame we knew there was no denying him.  We started our walk to the stadium (mom went with us just in case we could find him a ticket) he was so excited when he saw the stadium.  We found him a ticket fairly quickly so he was going to the game.  I didn't get to sit with him at first.  Kristen, Ava, and I sat in our normal seats in the upper deck.  Half way through the first quarter we got a text saying there were some seats by my dad so we headed down there. Porter kept saying he saw a bear...it was actually the bulldog mascot.  I guess we need to work on his animals!  He quickly learned when to shake his shaker.  It was so sweet.  I know my dad was so excited to share this experience with him.  He finally fell asleep in the 4th quarter.  We had to take turns carrying him back to the house because he is so heavy. 

Here he is climbing the tree out front.

That smile melts my heart!

Me and Amy watching Georgia and Auburn.  (Georgia was winning at this point)

My sweet Ava.  She was so excited to go to the game and that Porter got to go!

He was not excited for me to be holding him, kissing him and having his picture made.

My bestest friends.  I love this picture of us!

My dad decided to take some random candids.  I love this one. 

Porter and his ticket. 

Ava was scared because we were up so high.

I asked a really sweet lady behind us to take their picture with the field behind them.  Porter was so shy he wouldn't show his face. 

Such a fun time.

He was out.  Dad was yelling and cheering and he never moved!

Ava, Benjamin, and Matthew.  Matthew is the oldest, Ava is 3 months younger than him and Benjamin is 3 months younger than Ava. 

It was such a nice night for football.  The team looked better than they have. One of my favorite parts of the game was when they showed the troops overseas watching the game live.  I couldn't help but get emotional every time they showed them.  We are so blessed to have men and women that risk their lives everyday for our freedom.  

 All in all the weekend was a success! 

Roll Tide Roll

Alabama 30 -  Mississippi State 10