Tennessee... the game

Although the ball game didn't end the way we would have liked, we had a great time!  We watched the Tigerband march into the stadium.  Bryce actually walked right past me.  I could have reached out and kissed him!  Instead, I practically whispered, "hey, Bryce".  So cute to see the corners of his mouth turn up in a little smile.  (They are not supposed to move their heads or smile at all).  All season long, we have tried to get him to smile when we see him :)

 

 

 

The girls got to stay at Rachel's with a sitter for the game (everyone was much happier that way!).  The girls and I hopped in the car right after the game and drove to Memphis to stay the night at Paige's.  Then got up the next morning and drove home.  They were so good!  It is fun that they're getting a little older and more independent.  This is the farthest road trip I have ever taken by myself so I'm pretty proud of myself.  We got home, unpacked, repacked and headed to Disney 2 days later!

First Game Day!

There are lots of firsts happening to Bryce these days!  This weekend was his first college gameday!  The Tigers traveled to Houston for their season opener.  Richard and I could not miss it, so we took off and joined in the fun.  We spent the weekend with Richard's dad, brother and sister.  SO fun!

 

I really don't usually take selfies all the time but I have a whole collection this weekend!  I kept sending them to Bryce and he would send me one back of what they were doing.  SO funny.  Houston was fun, but the transit situation was awful!  We were stuck on the trolley thing for at least 20 minutes while more and more people crammed in.  This was better than trying to get home, though!  That is a story all in itself.  It does include a strange man, 15 drunk LSU fans(that we didn't know) and the back of a pick up truck :) lol...

 

My aunt and uncle were not going to use their tickets so they gifted them to us.  They were perfect seats to watch the game...and the band!

 

I'm telling you...we were those crazy stalker parents!!!

 

A selfie in front of the buses where the band waited to go in the stadium.  lol...  Bryce was watching us from the buses.  I'm sure he was NOT claiming us!!!

 

We claim him, though!  Seriously?  How much do I love this picture.  Just pure excitement to be sitting there with that uniform on.

 

Bryce's friend, Willie is sitting behind him.  They graduated together and are having a great time doing this together!

 

Not every band member gets to march pre-game.  You have to tryout and make it.  Bryce made pregame!!  It was like playing "where's waldo" all night!  I did find him, but never could keep track of him :)

 

If you happened to watch the LSU game, you know that the first half was awful, and the second half was a lot of fun :)  The band is playing the alma mater while the football players stand at the student section.

 

The final thing the band does is put their instruments down and sing the alma mater arm in arm.  I never even knew they did this :)

 

We got up Sunday morning and drove home.  Bryce was on the buses with the band, but came home for the night.  It was so awesome to have all my kiddos in the same house again!!  I think he enjoyed being in his own bed too!  I cooked for him, washed his clothes and prayed over every piece of laundry I folded.  I've never been so happy to do laundry!! 

 

So...he's back on campus and we have a short week!  Just 5 more days and we get to do it all again...  Only at LSU!!

First Day of College Selfie

Since Bryce is living on campus, I wasn't there to take a 1st day of school pic.  He humored his mama and sent a selfie on his way to his first class :)

 

I absolutely love it!!

Unbelievable Week!

I never felt like Bryce going to LSU was part of family tradition, although we have a long line of family members who have.  But this week, we found out that he is now a member of the LSU marching band!!  I knew I would be excited, but when that text came that said, "made it", I thought I would come out of my skin.  He has worked so hard for this and to see this dream become a reality is so very exciting.  As a mom, I do not think I could be prouder! 

Band camp ended Saturday by practicing marching down Victory Hill.  Every home game the band marches through part of campus and down the hill to the stadium.  They stop at the bottom and play a little bit before continuing on.  It is tradition.  And as I watched my baby boy march down that hill yesterday, it was one of the proudest mom moments of my life.  It didn't really have anything to do with LSU, it was watching him fulfill a dream.  Pure joy!!

GEAUX BRYCE!

Today was a big day for our family!  I haven't even posted back to school pics of the other 4 kiddos but I just had to post these today.  It's official!  Bryce is a college student and now lives on campus!

 

I was a little concerned that I would boo hoo, but the truth is...I'm just so excited for him that I can't be sad!  (not to mention, he's only 30 minutes away!)  He moved in a few days early to start band camp this afternoon!  We will know in a few days whether he will be a part of the marching Tiger Band!

 

Boys are SO easy!  We saw all kinds of girl accessories being moved in today.  Truth is, Bryce never even saw his bedding until we unpacked it today :)  He couldn't care less.  And he's not bothered one bit that there are no matching curtains! lol...

I was also a little concerned that the girls would fall apart when we left him there.  They have been dreading this day, but they rallied to the occasion and were just fine.

Anyone who knows Bryce, will think this is hysterical.  He has always loved tents, secret rooms and hiding places.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if he spends some of his time down there!  lol...

Saying goodbye.  She said this morning that she had a plan .  It was to hide and stay at college with Bryce.  At dinner the other night she actually said "Oh..NO... you go...I go!"  lol...

Bryce promised the girls that he would let them sleep with him one night before he left.  Last night was that night.  He had something on campus and when his friends asked him to stay after, he told them, "This is going to sound very wrong, but I have to home and sleep with my sisters".  When they questioned him, he told them "because I promised they could sleep with me before I move and they're 6."  When he got home, he carried 2 sleeping girls upstairs to his room and ended up sleeping on the floor because they took up the whole bed.  I just don't know many brothers who would do that.  What a blessing he is to us.  I am so proud of him and can't wait to see what the future holds.  And I certainly can't wait to see him march down that hill in his band uniform playing "Geaux Tigers!!"

 

GEAUX BRYCE!!!