BYU vs. OLE MISS

We spent Labor Day weekend in Alabama and Mississippi so we could cheer on the Cougars as they faced Ole Miss.  We had such a great time!  We never dreamed we would ever have a reason to be in Mississippi, but I guess you never know where life will take you. 

Friday, Mike and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary with a little pre-road trip lunch while the kids were still at school.  (It's really fun to be married to your best friend.) That night we drove to Birmingham, Alabama and stayed at an Embassy Suites--we have outgrown the 2 queen bed hotel rooms.  Sydney did not like the idea that the older girls got to sleep in the "comfy" bed while she and Jackson had to share the sofa pull-out.  It was a pretty uncomfortable bed, springs and all, but that's life when you are 6.  She protested that "life is not fair",  and didn't want to hear about how I remembered my parents rolling out the sleeping bags every time we traveled. Jackson decided the bed literally was horrible enough that he slept under the pull out on the floor and Sydney got the bed to herself which allayed her feelings of unjust treatment a bit.
The next morning we headed to Oxford, Mississippi for the BYU game.  We bought tickets to the tailgate party and got there about 3 hours prior to game time.  We ate, the kids got their faces painted, we watched the cheerleaders perform, and got hyped up for the game.  I think if we were to do it again we would not show up so early.  It was a little long for the kids.
As we walked over to the stadium we witnessed what a real tailgating party is.  Ole Miss is known for their party in the grove.  It was huge and filled with tents, beer, TV's and people everywhere.  They dress up in formal attire as part of the tradition of the school.  We got a feel for SEC football.  They take it very serious here in the South.
We were glad to be sitting in the BYU section and even ran into Mr. Ward (that guy turns up everywhere), and our neigbors, the Domans,  from Missouri.  There were fans there from 23 states, so it was pretty fun to feel a part of the group.   When BYU  recovered the fumble, scored, and took the lead, everyone around us went crazy and we did too. Our kids loved the game. The three oldest understand the rules of the game now, so it is more fun to watch, and Sydney was content with my iphone and cotton candy.  
The next day we went to church and then went to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham.  I love to learn about the civil rights movement, so that museum was right up my ally.  Unfortunately they wouldn't let us take any pictures, but the 16th Baptist Church across the street is where the church bombing happened that killed the four little black girls and we did get a picture of that. That night we hit the Cheesecake Factory and splurged!
Monday we shopped and swam and then made the drive back for home.  We must have still been on a euphoric high, because when we got home we watched the game all over again and enjoyed seeing our tiny little selves on the screen!