Happy Birthday John!

It's John's Birthday today! 

He is turning 25, which makes me really old! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!

WE LOVE YOU!

National Championship Trip - Sunday Morning and the Pep Rally

Sunday morning started off slow. We were exhausted from traveling to day before. Clay got up and went to get our rental car.  Once we were all ready to go, we went to John's hotel and let him get ready.

We drove around for a bit and looked at the scenery, then headed to Old Town Scottsdale to explore and got to the Auburn pep rally.

When we got there, we met up with Rebecca. She and her family sit in front of us at Jordan-Hare and we have become close over the last couple of years.  Her whole family was there so we sat around and chatted for a long time.

Soon it was time for the pep rally.  John and Richard were able to get us a spot right next to the stage.

Of course, Aubie, the cheerleaders, and the band were at the pep rally.

AU President Jay Gogue and AU Athletic Director Jay Jacobs were both their and spoke to the crowd.

It was so packed.  They estimated that there were 50,000 fans there.  There were even people in the parking deck across the street!

After the pep rally ended, we headed into Old Town Scottsdale and walked around a bit and then grabbed a late lunch/early dinner at Frank and Lupe's Mexican Restaurant. 

It was so crowded everywhere we went!  I don't think that Phoenix expected the crowd.  It was really amazing. Everyone kept called it Auburn, Arizona and I think that was so true!

National Championship Trip - Saturday

Saturday was the first day of our trip.  We got up early that morning to take John and Richard to their flight.  They had to be at the airport around 6 AM and Clay and I wanted to see how checking in would go since we were traveling with a travel agency.

On the way to the airport John and Richard took some Airbourne and they did not like it all.

We spent the rest of the morning finishing packing and then Mom, Dad, & Will took me and Clay to the airport around 2:30.  I was a nervous wreck.  This was my first time to leave Will for more than one night, and he started crying when we got out of the car and it broke my heart.

This was also my first time to fly and I was completely freaked out.  As you know because you are reading this, I survived the flight.  It wasn't that bad, I just didn't know what to expect.  The flight back was so much better.

About to land.

Gray, Kate, and Celia sitting across from us.

We landed in Phoenix around 9:30 P.M. We deplaned right by the runway and got on our buses to head to the hotel.  

We got to our hotel and checked in.  We headed to one of the hotels restaurants because we were starving.  Soon the day was over and it was time for bed!

Christmas from Richard and Julie

Clay and I got to spend the weekend with Richard at the National Championship Game and Richard got to spend some time with Will on Friday before we left.  We haven't seen Julie in a while because her job keeps her busy on the weekends.  Before Julie started at her job, we spent so many weekends together and we miss that! 

Since Richard was in town to catch the plane with us, he brought Will a Christmas gift. 

Let's just say that Will was SUPER EXCITED!!!

Will got some Auburn plates, Thomas t-shirt, Thomas PJs, and a police officer set.  Will loved everything he got.

These glasses were in the police set and they cracked me up!!!

Julie also sent me an Auburn ornament and bracelet. I wore the bracelet to the game Monday. 

Julie-Thanks for the gifts and we miss you!!!

The Swing Set

Will got a swing set for Christmas from his Pawpaw and Bom-bom.  He couldn't play on it that day because it was snowing so it was a couple of days later before he got to slide and swing.

He was so excited about getting out there and playing. He had a really fun time and loves the swing set!

Eating Pizza with a Spoon

I was so happy to see Will when we got home from Arizona.  Because of the snow/sleet that the area received while Clay and I were out of town, school was cancelled on Wednesday so we got to spend the day with Will. 

He was so good and Clay and I both agreed that he was talking much more clearly than he had been when we left.

He even told me he wanted pizza for lunch, so that is what he got.

After I cooked the pizza and got his plate ready, he got in his highchair.  He didn't start eating right away and insisted he needed a "poon" (spoon) to eat his pizza. 

He then ate his pizza with a spoon.  He is such a silly boy!



Today is the day...

Auburn is headed to play in the National Championship Game today.  I can't believe this day is finally here and that I am here to witness the game in person.

It has been a great trip so far and I hope that continues today.

We will head to the dome in a couple of hours to cheer on our Tigers.  WE ARE ALL IN!!!

(photos from pep rally yesterday were it was estimated that 50,000 Auburn fans were in attendance)

War...Eagle, fly down the field, Ever to conquer, never to yield.

War...Eagle fearless and true. Fight on, you orange and blue.

Go! Go! Go!

On to vic'try, strike up the band,

Give 'em hell, give 'em hell.

Stand up and yell, Hey! War...Eagle, win for Auburn,

Power of Dixie Land!