Victory in Death Valley

Yes, we finally beat LSU in Death Valley for the first time since my freshman year in 2002. More pics from our trip to Baton Rouge to come...

Go VOTE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svhq4C9HhUg

Knoxville

One sweet free parking spot minutes from Neyland Stadium...


Four free 20-yard-line tickets (with the cushie seats!)....


One undefeated Alabama team...


Watching Bama beat the Vols in Knoxville (and being back in Birmingham before 3 a.m.) ...PRICELESS!

So, if you've stayed with me through the cheesy Mastercardesque commercial you are a true friend...and probably not a Vols fan. Elizabeth Taylor's dad is now officially my favorite person. He hooked us up with some great tickets absolutely free, so we made the trip up to Knoxville with Elizabeth and my brother Kyle for our biennial third-Saturday-in-October pilgrimage to Neyland Stadium. It was a quick trip but a very good one since Bama showed up to play.

We sat a row behind a very inebriated, middle-aged Tennessee fan who provided tons of humor for four quarters (well, make that three; he and his buddy headed out a little early once things started going downhill for their team). Ironically, he looked nearly identical to my pediatrician from years ago, Dr. Bearman, which was mildly disturbing.

The man had an authentic binocular flask...

I'm telling you, he was hard core, and completely random. At one time he whipped out his cell phone to show us a picture (on the cell phone) he took of a bear at the Memphis zoo. Really? Then, after Robert yelled for our running back (Roy Upchurch) with something like, "Go Upchurch!" Mr. Volunteer turns around and asks my brother if we go to church, which resulted in a lively conversation. He was hilarious.


Kyle with his newly grown facial hair (still trying to get use to that)

Yes, we were in Tennessee season-ticket holder seats under the awning with the cushions attached.

Thank you, Mr. Taylor!

Nothing Beats a Saturday in Tuscaloosa

This past weekend Robert's mom and dad came down to visit from South Carolina to go to the Bama/Ole Miss game with us. We had such a great time with them, and luckily Bama pulled out the W even though the second half was not so pretty. I haven't been that nervous of a loss in a game all year. It's driving me crazy that we're not a second half team.

His parents also came laden with gifts: apples from North Carolina, shrimp from the gulf, newly sewn pillows and a bench cushion for our living room (my mother-in-law is quite the talented and generous-with-her-time seamstress!), so we felt pampered all weekend!

Here are some pics from out time in Tuscaloosa.





We dropped by a tailgate where David and Shelby were set up with their friends. I'm loving have my brother down at Alabama.

Jake came up from Dothan for the game.

Ashley and her fam hosted a super fun tailgate where we met up with Amy and Matt and some of the gang. Apparently I missed the memo that it was jersey day!

It was so good to see our family and friends! Next stop: Knoxville.

When you work at a University...

...this is what greats you when you walk off the elevator the Monday of Homecoming week. It's not that I forgot it was Homecoming (ok, maybe it did slip my mind) it's more that I forgot how much my office decorates. I love how sad the poor little bison looks (UAB played Marshall) at getting beat up by the most gentle Blaze I've ever seen.


The decorations our amazing Events Team did for the President's floor were even better! Since Marshall is the thundering herd (in case you didn't pick up on that with the bison comment earlier or can't remember from the movie), they embraced a "Rounding up the Herd" stagecoach theme.

I love the way Neil Calloway is drivng the stagecoach! Hilarious!
My sweet friends from the office, Cappy and Victoria

After watching the Homecoming skits in front of our building on 20th Street. Let's just way it wasn't a typical Friday.

Cousins...and more cousins

As my little cousin Victoria proudly displayed on her t-shirt, she is no longer an only child! I thought this was such a creative way for Kristi and Clay to announce to the family last weekend at our Saturday get together that they are expecting! Victoria ran into the room in her new outfit right before the prayer before lunch, and I think Big Mama was probably the most excited at the news. I'm going to claim the second most excitement not only because of another cousin but because now Big Mama won't be asking Robert and I when we're going to go ahead and just have a baby! (Good thing my grandmother doesn't read blogs, right!) Kristi is due April 30th.

Robert and Ryan excited that Ole Miss is beating Florida

Maddie, who had a great game in her soccer match earlier that morning.

Victoria and Hannah

Christian and Andrew

With Kyle...can you tell by our wardrobe it's a Saturday in September?

Our "official" reason for getting together (which is now debatable in light of the baby announcement made by the host and hostess) was to celebrate our October birthdays.

Clay serenading Kyle with his version of "Happy Birthday"

Victoria and Ryan. At one point Robert, Ryan, and I took over watching kids duty in the backyard. After about half an hour of swinging and throwing the football and playing baseball and catching frogs and playing tag and riding and pushing the bug and tons of other physical activity I was completely exhausted and out of energy. My age is showing when surrounded by three- to 10-year-olds with boundless energy. Ryan did teach me how to improve my football pass.

Joseph giving big sister Hannah a ride in the bug.

Victoria joins in. Apparently yellow is the popular color.



Christian about to smack one out of the park.

Maddie, Christian, and Hannah showing off the frog they caught.

The frog.

Hannah, Joseph, and Andrew on the swings

Andrew and the bug

Even Trixi (hope I got the right dog) was wearing her Crimson!

Season Premier

It's finally here....the season premier of The Office airs tonight. We're celebrating with a full-out Office Party with friends who are as completely addicted as we are. Let's just say it's been a dry summer of withdrawls and we're finally ready to indulge in one of the best shows on TV.

Will Jim attempt to propose to Pam again?

Has baby-crazed Michael given up on the new HR girl?

Is Kevin really retarded and we just never realized it?

Sooooo many questions. At least the first four episodes are an hour long. Here we go all over again....