Rammer Jammer...!!

Roll Tide Roll!!

So it has been a long time coming..I am sure my memory is fuzzy, but I am going to attempt a post on my long weekend in New Orleans when the Alabama Crimson Tide beat those LSU Tigers. Daniel was so sweet to offer to let me go without him and he would 'take one for the team' and keep the kids home. SCORE!! Lucky for him his mom came to rescue him and help out..he even got to head to Bushwoods (our favorite local neighborhood bar) to cheer on the Tide too!
He dropped me off on Saturday afternoon at the airport and told me where to find the coldest beer. I said I wouldn't be drinking anything that early (it was gonna be a looonnnggg night and weekend), but lo and behold I perservered through the airport security and found myself belly-up at his suggested spot.

And he was right, it was ice cold beer!!
It didn't slow down from there, but isn't that what 'vacations' are for?!
I made friends on the connection flight and got some free drinks on the plane and we heard lots of 'Tiger Bait' taunts. It was all fun and games!

I arrived just in the nick of time to miss the Saints football traffic and hop in the car headed straight for Bourbon Street. We had a fun little suite around the corner and a seat at the Bourbon Cowboy! The atmosphere was great as the Saints played and the night was a blast with dancing and lots of good drinks.
We ended the night in a BIG way..Harrah's casino was calling our names so we treked over and took out some cash. My history at this particular casino leaves much to be desired and usually leave me broke so I was skeptimystical (HA, that's what my dad says) but once again I perservered and played roulette and I am happy to report I made some decent cash!

Now compared to Rachel's winnings it was small but I'll take $450 anyday of the week!!
We ended up back at the suite at some awful hour and I may have run into the wall and busted my nose open. There may have been blood. It may have been really sore the next morning but luckily no bruising. But that whole scenario sounds ridiculous..let's pretend it was a dream!
The next morning we had brunch reservations at Antoine's with endless mimosas, shrimp and grits and other N'awlins specialties. We celebrated my mom's birthday with a "Party in a Box" including fun trinkets, cupcakes, and a pretty charm necklace.

{I sewed these bottle holders for the game!}
My Aunt Jennie came up to meet us and we ended up drinking Hurricanes and Vodka tonics at noon on Sunday on Bourbon.

The weather was amazing for January and we spent all day outside enjoying it!

The other bar we frequented was the Beach..(the same bar we got kicked out of when HB was 2 months old). It was fun and they had a crazy DJ that did contests and such. That evening we attended a Bama Peprally at the Rusty Nail and then headed to an event for Bama fans. We thought the big event was where we would meet Mark Ingram and other former players but it was a kid-friendly milk and cookies event..Bummer!
The next day we woke up early, got a good breakfast and ready for the game. Made our way back to the Bourbon Cowboy and the Beach for some pre-game fun! I can't even really remember what we did all afternoon, but the atmosphere was so different that day! It was all of a sudden extremely crowded and the streets were full of rivalries. There were some friendly and not so friendly taunting going on. Yells of Roll Tide and LSU were fighting to be heard over the other. It was lots of fun and the excitement was building throughout the day. Finally it was game time! We were ready to yell "We just beat the hell outta you!" as is customary when the Tide beat an opponent..
We headed to the stadium to 'get' some tickets. My dad and brother have hilarious stories of scalping tickets. Some which involve running down guys through neighborhoods for selling them counterfeit tickets. Either way we always get into games, even ones that are 'sold out', so we knew it would be fine.
Michael and Rachel got tickets first, then me and Dad got some good ones. Wally got one from his neighbor and Larry just walked in behind some VIPs..for free!

We ate some great food inside the game..alligator sausage and jumbalaya. It was one of the best meals we had the whole trip..we even got seconds!
The game was amazing, so exciting and one of the most fun experiences I have ever had! I am so thankful I got to spend it with my dad. I know some people say it was boring, but not if you were a Bama fan! It was great seeing those LSU Tigers walk out so defeated and seeing their players give up.

After the game we headed to Bourbon to celebrate some more, we bought Championship hats and t-shirts and chanted on the balconies!

It was a fun night for sure! We ended up getting our customary cheese fries covered in gravy at the bar next to our hotel. It was yum! That night I only got about 4 hours of sleep as my flight was early..I got to the airport at 8 which I thought was on time, but turns out I missed it..once again I perservered and caught the next one on standby. I made it home in time for Emmaline's birthday party! It was a unforgettable experience that I will never forget!! Ohhh... writing this makes me miss football season...sadness!

Roll Tide Roll!!