"Someday I'll be an Ole Miss Girl"

Everyone knows we are Ole Miss fans. This weekend we went back to Oxford and the Grove for the Arkansas/Ole Miss game. Beau went to the Alabama game with Derick a few weeks ago and he told us this week he "didn't want to see the Rebels lose to Arkansas." (And yes, those words were like a knife to the heart.) He later clarified that he is very much still a Rebel (secondly to being a Florida/Vanderbilt fan first) and that he hoped the Rebels would win....but just wanted a week off. For two days in a row Ali said she wanted to go to this week's game with her "Poppy." (That is my Daddy.) My Dad didn't take me to my first game until I was four, so Ali going at three, was a stretch. But Ali's "AA and Poppy" decided they were up for taking her if she was up for going. And she stayed from the beginning of the second quarter until the very end of the game. Of course, they said she ate and took a nap during the game and came back with cotton candy as a souveneir. (Thanks Daddy and Ashley for indulging her every wish while still managing to enjoy the game!) Ali is so proud she went to the game...and she just might be good luck. "Poppy" bought Ali a shirt that she proudly is wearing around the house today. It reads, "Someday I'll be an Ole Miss Girl." And yes, Miss Ali, I hope one day you will be!

Balloon Race Weekend

Every October, Natchez hosts a hot-air balloon race. It is quite a site to see and hear! This year, we took Beau and Ali for the first time (we miss alot due to football season....priorities, you know). Anyway, this year the weather conditions were too windy for the races on Saturday to take place. But after an answer to prayers (literally because Beau prayed for the balloons to be able to take off during prayers two nights in a row) the balloons did take place in the balloon "drop" on Sunday morning. It was a beautiful sight as all the hot-air balloons took flight in the Natchez sky. We watched as nearly 40 of the 60 balloons flew over and landed by our watch site at Duncan Park. And Beau was lucky enough to get to ride with his cousin Julia Rachel in one of the balloons. (Okay, so they were teathered to the ground by 10 crew members and didn't get more than 10 feet off the ground. But they still got to get in the basket, and watch the flame rise as the balloon lifted into the air.) Beau thought it was the coolest thing ever....and so did his kindergarten class when he took pictures for show and tell. Look for the "dog" balloon in these pictures as it is Beau's favorite!

Fun at the Fair

While in Natchez for Balloon Race weekend, the kids attended a "fair". There were all kinds of carnival rides and fun things to see and do. Ali and Beau loved the "giant, pink" slide the most. They didn't discriminate either as to whom they would slide down with; themselves, Uncle Barr, Aunt Paige and Daddy all made great "slide" partners. There was a "dragon" roller coaster that was another favorite. And they rode cars, a merry-go-round, and a "scrambler." It was so much fun....just wish it had been about 10 degrees warmer with no wind that day.

Hernando BBQ Fest

Derick and I are in a supper club with 10 other couples in Hernando. The "guys" in the supper club decided months ago they wanted to form a team in the Hernando BBQ Festival and try their hands at cooking in the rib competition. After weeks of planning (with budget spreadsheets), they were all ready for this past weekends competition.

Team name: "Diz Muz be da Pork."

Translation: This Must be the Pork

Reason for name: The boys all go on an annual guys weekend to a cabin on Moon Lake. There is a local bar where the owner is a former customer of Derick's. The bar is called, "Diz Muz be da Place." (Remember the blues bar in Animal House.....?) So they took the name from this bar, and with Sherman's permission had t-shirts and cups all made up sporting their clever name.

The team claimed 5th place in the rib competition on Saturday. (Quoting Ty Owen, "#5 in the system, but #1 in your heart!) Not bad for first time out! And they threw a great party on Friday night!!!! Congrats guys!