I Was There.

I love Tennessee football. It is so exciting to be a part of the game, with so many people, so many traditions and usually a lot of winning. The past few years for Tennessee have been hit or miss and this year was a big miss. We lost more than we won, and we hardly ever do that. After every game, the call-in shows had people calling in who had all the answers. "Fire the coach, it's time for change, the old ways aren't working." Well, our athletic director listened to the fans (perhaps mostly the ones who donate a lot of money), and fired our coach. Now this isn't anything new in football. Schools that have winning programs make a lot of money, and as we all know, it's all about money. Tennessee has a lot of money. We have the 2nd biggest stadium in the nation and a pretty darn good football program. What's different about this situation is that our coach is part of the tradition. He's been a part of Tennessee football for 34 years as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Not too many schools can say that. I have to say that I am sad about all of this. When you have that much invested in the program, you should be treated better than to be fired in the middle of the season. Jarred and I got to go the last game and I'm really glad I was there. It was cold and rainy but we stayed til the end. Here are some photos from the game.

The team walks from their dorm to the stadium about 2 hours before game time. The cheerleaders and mascot help entertain before they come.

Smokey, posed just for me. Thanks, Smokey.

Here's our coach, Phillip Fulmer. I really don't think it will be the same without him, but I'll give it a shot.

The team praying before the game.

Another tradition is the pregame performance by the band. They say it is a tradition "unrivaled in college football." I haven't seen many college football games other than Tennessee's but I have to say I agree. It is pretty awesome.

The Power T.

They march to the end of the field where they form a solid T, then spread apart so the football team can run through the T. It sends chills up your spine every time.

It's football time in Tennessee!

I managed to get a few good shots of a few good plays. We were not a good football team this year, but I am still a fan.

The running back is trying to flip into the endzone, but he missed.

We did have a nice long pass to a wide open receiver and here he is all alone in the endzone.

We didn't get to see this very often this year.

The whole team surrounded Fulmer at the end of the game. It was very emotional.

Then they carried him off the field.

If Coach Fulmer ever reads my blog (I'm sure he will), I want to say thanks and that I am one Vol fan who is sad to see you go.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Once again, we ate too much, watched football too much and laughed too much. OK, you can never laugh too much but we did have a great time. Kelly, Ryan and Abbott came over Wednesday night and Jarred, Jack and I joined the festivities on Thursday.

We started out with a few appetizers of fruits and veggies, chips and salsa, stuffed jalapenos, olives and the Tennessee Titans game. The appetizers were yummy and the Titans won- a great way to start the day.

For lunch we had turkey, dressing, gravy, mac & cheese, green bean casserole and cottage cheese, avocado & tomato salad and the Cowboys game. Lunch was yummy and the Cowboys won- a perfect middle of the day.

For dinner we had your choice of lunch leftovers or chili or beans and the Texas vs. Texas A&M game. Dinner was yummy and Texas won- a perfect evening!

One of our favorite things to do as a family is play games. We usually play cards but Ryan had never played Aggravation. We loved playing this game when we were kids so we played. Ryan quickly caught on and began aggravating all of us. He focused more on aggravating than he did winning. Mom won the first game and Dad won the second. It was great!

The rest of the weekend was more of the same. Mom, Kelly and I did venture out Friday evening and did a little shopping. Kelly bought a new game called Fact or Crap and we played it Friday night. It was a lot of fun and we laughed a lot! Saturday, Kelly, Ryan and Abbott headed home and Jack stayed with Popo and Momo Jo while Jarred and I went to the Tennessee vs. Kentucky football game. It was our coach's last game after 17 years and we wanted to be there. I have tons of pictures from the game to post after this one. For now, enjoy the Turkey Day pics.

Kelly, Ryan and Jack in a "massage train".

Jack has started calling Santa.

The boys watching some football.

Jack & Abbott playing in the leaves.

Gotta get in your own game of football. Ryan jumps for a catch while Dad rests his sore shoulder. He may be out for the season.

Kelly hid Jack in the pile of leaves. Can you find him?

Jarred poses for a sweet catch.

Kelly & Abbott hanging out.

Me & Abbott. Isn't he just too cute?

Ryan pushed Jack on his tricycle into the pile of leaves. Here you see him...

Here you don't.

Jack & Uncle Ryan having a leaf fight!

Just another cute picture of Abbott. He is without a doubt the cutest nephew I have.

We got artsy for our family photo this year and Jack helped me get ready.

So did Dad and Ryan.

The 2 cutest boys I know.

My mom was part of the Thanksgiving happenings, somehow I didn't get many pictures of her. Sorry, Mom. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, too!

TiVo & Sick Jack

The 2 don't really have anything to do with each other, but that's all I've got for today. Jack has a cold or something, his eyes are red, puffy and goopy and his nose is running. He looks pretty pathetic but doesn't really act like he feels too bad. He did sit still for about 10 minutes this morning, so I know he doesn't feel 100%.

On a completely unrelated subject, I'm really glad we have Tivo and can rewind and pause live TV. It lets you see things like this:

Can you tell what's wrong with this picture??

This is BIG!

Popo insisted I get this on the blog tonight because, in his own words, "this is BIG". Jack's not even in bed yet, who needs to get a 2 year old to bed, when there is something this BIG that needs to go on the blog???

Ok, maybe it's not that big, but it is cute. Jack had a Thanksgiving program at school tonight and his class "sang" a cute little song. Please watch carefully, as Jack bows at the end of his masterful performance.

Flying Jack

Jarred & Jack have this fun game where Jack stands at the back door and shouts, "Ready, Set.... GO!" then runs real fast at Jarred. Jarred then flings him up in the air and he loves it. He also wants me to take pictures of this adventure and then let him look at them.

His head is not hitting the wall.

He has the same expression every time.

Such a goofball!

Reading With Jack

Reading with Jack is quite a challenge. The kid does not sit still. Here we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for Grandma and Grandpa. He is excited about this. He is also a little silly. Enjoy!

UT Homecoming

Today is Tennessee's Homecoming so since Jarred and I are both alumni we decided we should go. Oh wait, we didn't have tickets. Bummer. We did, however go and participate in the pre-game festivities.

Jack decorated a cowboy hat. He decided it needed a Tennessee (big orange T), a horse and a sheriff badge.

We were trying to get him to smile and this huge laugh came out instead.

His necklace has oyo tiny footballs and a Tennessee. We bought it because the proceeds went to Toys for Tots.

Could he be a future QB?

Waiting for the Vols to walk to the stadium.

Hanging out with 'lil Smokey.

For some reason, a Scottish bagpipe band marched in before the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. This guy posed for my camera. He smiled after I took the picture.

Here's the bagpipe band. Rocky Top played by bagpipes is awesome.

My cousin Billy is in this line. From the farthest guy count 4 drummers. That's Billy!

Jack let me wear his cool hat on the long walk back to the car. We didn't want to pay $20 to park just for the activities so we parked far far away.

Jack & Daddy in a big yellow tree.

We had a great time and Jack got a taste of Big Orange Football. Someday we'll take him to a game. Tennessee's football coach just got fired this week, so it was emotional to watch him walk the Vol Walk knowing he only had a few more games. I bought tickets to his last game so I'll try to capture some pictures of that. Jack's going to spend the night at Popo and Momo Jo's tonight so maybe you'll see some pictures of that, too!

And Now for the Rest of our Weekend

Saturday night Kelly had to go to a fundraiser for her school so I got the joy of playing with Jack & Abbott. Of course, I tried to get a few shots of the 2 of them together but that's not easy. We had a great time and Jack helped out a lot, keeping Abbott entertained while I fixed supper and cleaned up after. Abbott is so enthralled with everything Jack does and I think Jack is ready for Abbott to be able to run around and play with him. It won't be too long!! Enjoy these pics from Saturday and Sunday.

The 2 cutest boys I know.

Abbott's hanging out in Pops' chair.

Jack felt the need to be Lightning McQueen again.

Abbott's first bathtub experience. (Kelly hasn't given him a bath since he was born, so he was really stinky!) He seemed to have a lot of fun and now he smells good! :)

Sunday was absolutely beautiful so we played outside. The time change doesn't work with 2 year olds, they don't know you're supposed to sleep an extra hour. By about 9:30 it felt like about noon and Jack was fading. We ran around some more outside to try to push back naptime.

I tried to get some "photographer style" pics of Jack outside, but he's too quick and doesn't want to sit still for pictures.

Kelly says this is Abbott's "outside face". Cute, huh?

It's too bad no one loves him.

Again, trying to get pictures of the 2 of them together isn't easy, but I got a few good ones.

"Yeah, I'm cool."

Abbott's had enough of the picture taking.

He looks a little bit like Kelly in this picture, I think.

He's waving to his fans.

Silly boys.

Here's a video of Jack singing a few songs for Abbott. The first one is "Little Cabin in the Woods" that Wannie taught me and Kelly as kids. He also sings "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and then Little Cabin again. Enjoy!