My favorite restaurant

Ever.
And I am writing from a table inside that red door.
Pure. Bliss.

Another hint...

Here's another hint as to where I have been this week:

From an undisclosed location

But, here's a hint...

(and yes, it is totally obscure).

Ballpark nights

I married into a baseball family. My brother in law is the head JV baseball coach, and is also the Varsity assistant coach. In the fall our family is all about football and danceline, the spring is devoted to many nights at the ball field watching Wildcat Baseball. I absolutely love it, and I love being able to support Drew in his first year of teaching am coaching.


I sit with my sister in law, (but really she's like a real sister to me) her two girls, the varsity coach's wife (who was just a year ahead of me in school and always a friend), and her little boy. We have a great time snacking (the concession stand sells everything from ring pops to pinto beans with cornbread), talking, laughing, playing with babies, and watching baseball.

This week, I went to several games with Amber and the girls. We had so much fun! Here are a few pictures from the week, as you can see we love to cut up and be silly:

Catching up on Aunt Anna time

Addisyn LOVES her Aunt Anna. It's mutual.

The Techie Tots. Yes, both watching "moobies" on YouTube.

 

Crying toddler? Just hand her a phone and let her watch "Strawberry Shortcake"



We make fun of you if you post a picture like this.
Yes, we really do.
There may also be some judgement being passed.



One sweet moment with Annslie and Uncle BB

On a fun note, Happy Spring Break!! I'm going somewhere very fun... post to come when I get back!

Ellie Mae Clampett in the house!!

Dialogue from a few days ago. To set the scene, it was raining. I was home alone.

Two men come to my front door and ring the bell. My dogs are going berserk. I notice that these two men are carrying spray bottles and rags to wash windows. I ran to the closet and grabbed my shotgun. The following dialogue then took place:

*dingdong*
(door opens five inches, storm door stays locked shut)
Me: Can I help you?
Them: Uh yeah, uh, we can wash yo' windows?
Me: No. Have a nice day.
Them: *irritating lip smack* Man, we jus' tryna make some money.
Me: *irritating lip smack and simultaneous eye roll* (while opening door three more inches) Man, I'm just tryna clean my shotgun.
Them: (exit driveway, stage left, running)

I then called my husband, who was meeting with police, and he sent them out to tour the neighborhood. Other neighbors had already called. :) Then, I called my parents and they came over.

When I told my mother-in-law about it, she said "I bet they thought you looked like Ellie Mae Clampett!!"

She was probably right. I mean, short, blond girl opens the door with this, and all you can do is run!

AU Homecoming aka: The Day of A Thousand Questions

As you may recall, I spent a glorious five years at Auburn University (I came out with a degree, so the extra year was my Victory Lap). Two and a half of those years, I lived at worked for the Athletic Department (under the Office of Student Recruiting) as a Tigerette. Joining Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts was definitely one of the best decisions I made in college. I met some wonderful people and got to know many of them very well. I made memories and friendships that will last my whole life. 

I knew about two months before the game that Dad was going to bring my sweet cousin, Grant, with him and that it was his very first Auburn football game. Well, this is one big cousin that just had to make sure Grant got the royal treatment to his first game. So, because of those great connections, I was able to snag a few passes into Jordan-Hare Stadium the morning of Auburn's Homecoming football game. 

If we look sleepy, that would be because it was 7:30 AM.

So first, we walk into the stadium at Gate 10, and look around the reception area. Not too much to report there, so I took Grant to the very special, hidden room inside Jordan-Hare Stadium: The Heisman Room. Auburn has three Heisman Trophy winners: Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson, and Cam Newton. We have a room in the stadium dedicated to these great athletes. Grant was impressed.

With Uncle Kenneth and the Pat Sullivan jersey.

 I love the Heisman room. Orange, overstuffed Italian leather couches, persian Tiger-patterned rug, and a flat screen TV... Hello? Can we say HEAVENLY?? Well, Grant was ready to move on to the next attraction. To the Locker Room!

Walking in...

 I can't fully explain the "Wow Moment" Grant had when he first walked in the locker room. I hadn't been in it in a year, and it felt so good to go back. But I just loved being able to tell him about how everything is laid out, why velvet ropes are in place around the interlocking AU, and other various trivia. He asked about a zillion questions, and he got to meet a bunch of current Tigerettes, who all think he is just precious. They're right.

"Where's Mike Dyer's locker? Are they really going to wear everything hanging up?"

Me and Grant in front of Clint Moseley's locker. He was my recruit!!

(Yes, he is every bit as nice as you think.)

Grant and Dad in front of Philip Lutzenkirchen's locker. Dad calls him Philip "Lunch-in-the-Kitchen," which, Grant agrees, is easier to say.

Leaving the locker room the way the players do.

Bam! On the field, ready to ask more questions explore!

Taking a tour of the sidelines with Uncle Kenneth

Here, he's standing on the sidelines where the players stand. He wasn't too sure about walking on it at first, but I reassured him that it was just fine. I think this was when he was asking what was in the containers with Gatorade logos on them... 

One of the athletic trainers, my friend Jenna, explaining to Grant what her job is and why it's important.

(Thanks girl!!)

I can't begin to tell you how much my dad loved having this time with Grant. It was really sweet watching them walking around together.

Now, Grant wanted to see the Locker Room again... so back we went!

Looking around...

The Cam Newton Trophy Case

"Hey, that jersey is just like mine!"

Coach Chizik's locker!!

The OFFICIAL Trooper Towel

Wasn't too sure about holding it, but I told him Trooper wouldn't mind.

In the media room for his Pre-Game conference.

Dad's pre-game conference. A reporter asked him a tough question.

But we're Number One, Baby!!

On the way out of the locker room. This one makes me smile.

But before we left, I just HAD to take his picture with The Crystal Ball!

We had leave Tiger's Den so that they could open the gates to the visiting recruits. If you know my family, the next move is obvious.

STARBUCKS!!

Grant and I got hot chocolate, and he kept saying "This is best hot chocolate EVER!" I turned and said, "Of course. It's Auburn Hot Chocolate." He agreed, and the man waiting on his coffee laughed. I have no idea why. From there, it was time to go shopping! Grant had money to spend, and dang it, he was determined to leave it all in Auburn.

Off to the AU Bookstore in Haley Center.

Very, VERY carefully making his hat selection. This took 20 minutes. I went to the youth section and picked up two hat options. I was glad he picked my favorite. 

Dad and I agree that no kid's first trip to Auburn is complete without a jersey. It had to be white, and it HAD to be number five: Michael Dyer. Doesn't he look good? He also is sporting an Auburn arm band, a gameday button that says "Take a Hike, Spike," his new hat, and his nametag from our visit to the Tiger's Den.

Brotherly love. My favorite part about this picture is the Starbucks cup still in his had. We are SO related.

I had to get in a picture with these two precious boys.

This is so typical. To say it best, "Mac and Grant standing there, Grace is like, WTF? and Mags is like, OOOOhhh! In ya face," to quote April. 

At this point, my pictures with sweet babies stops as Brent and I had to walk back to the car for our tickets and a tailgate stop.

Inside Jordan-Hare Stadium!! Ready for gametime!

Moments before kickoff...

He's forcing himself to smile and act happy.

Such a sweet surprise! Kinsley and her mom and dad were sitting a few rows down from us. I loved getting to love on this sweet girl!

Well, the game ended and we fought the crowd at Toomer's Corner. After about 30 minutes, we decided it was time to walk back to the car. We got back to the stadium, and Brent said "Why is there a crowd outside Tiger's Den?" I explained to him that the players leave the stadium from that gate, and there were probably some still signing autographs. I spotted a familiar face, and had to steal a hug.

(Yes I skipped the entire line/crowd)

So proud of you, Clint!!!

Gameday with Grant

Just a little teaser before I can get home, but today I got to show off my cousin Grant at my alma mater.

I think he likes it.