A Sacred Tradition

A highlight of our recent trip to Oxford was going to see the Rebels & tailgating in 'The Grove'. We've been to at least one Ole Miss game a year since Mike & I have known each other, but this was the first time we tailgated. I think Ole Miss is better known for the tailgating in 'The Grove' than they are for football! (Sorry Mike:) We were even more excited to take Palmer. Gogo & Gramps graciously offered to babysit Palmer & Avery during the game & we took them up on the offer. So we all headed to campus for some fun with much anticipation of a win over Vandy... the win never happened, but we still had a great time. It was the longest that I had been away from my little man, but he was in great hands & loved playing with his Gramps- oh how I wish I had some pictures of them playing!

Before we left, Palmer decided to have a little pre-game snack on Avery's hand.

This is just a small (very, very small) sampling of the tent & food set-up in the grove. It really is pretty impressive. Some people go ALL OUT- hang chandeliers, beautiful fresh floral arrangements, amazing spreads of food, red and blue decorations galore, & Hotty Toddy plastered everywhere. I don't want to mislead you either- this wasn't our tent... ours was a little more modest:) But, the food was oh, so yummy!

When we first arrived, Mike wanted to take Palmer on a stroll around campus & this is how they returned to the tent... saked out!

Before the kiddos headed off with Gramps & Gogo, we took some family pictures. There was so much to look at, so Palmer didn't have time to look at the camera.

I'm not really sure what he was looking at, but he thought it was pretty funny.

We hoped Avery was predicting many Rebel touchdowns... but we were sadly mistaken.

This is on my list of favorite pictures- I just LOVE her expression!

We asked Avery to kiss Palmer & this is what we got- she went for it all. I'm not naming names, but she had to learn this from someone... I wonder how Mommy & Daddy kiss?!? ;)

Mike & I usually have a traditional self-portrait in the stadium- not this year. I was scared to ask because of the poor Rebel performance. So this is all I have from the stadium- at least the flag guy did his job well that day.

We returned home to very happy kiddos & I think a very happy Gramps & Gogo. Thanks again for allowing us some kid-free time! While Palmer was taking a nap, Avery & Gramps were playing outside and I snapped a few pictures. Again, I just love them & her expressions- pure delight & playfullness!