A Weekend in Dallas

Friday afternoon, we drove to Dallas for the Texas/OU game.... also, please note how I have to force myself to say Texas/OU vs. OU/Texas- spending 7 years in Oklahoma, made us come to know this weekend as OU/Texas, so now I have to reverse it around. It's a struggle. 

Anyway, this weekend was the Red River Rivalry which is the game between Texas and OU, and it's always played one weekend of the Texas State Fair at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

The 1st year we lived here, I took the girls to the fair, and then realized I had strep throat so we missed the game. Last year, friends from Oklahoma met us and we got a babysitter for the kids so the adults went to the game. But, this year, it was the girls' turn! With COVID guidelines in effect, I figured this was the perfect year to take them because it was way less crowded than it would typically be, and knew we'd have plenty of room- typically, it's standing room only with little time or space to sit down. 

Monday morning we got our chores done, and left a little before lunch time, putting us in Waco just in time for lunch. We stopped, ate, and got right back in the car. Once we arrived in Dallas, we checked in to the hotel, watched some TV and relaxed, and then went to eat dinner. As we were walking back from dinner, the team had arrived, so we watched them unload, and Miss Adalyn stood their with her horns up. She's a big fan. 

Afterwards, we drove to Frisco to meet friends at the Dallas Star field. Megan and her friend Kyla, went to school together in Oklahoma, and they moved to the Dallas area at the same time we moved to Austin. The girls are so much alike and so much fun!

We got cookies and ice cream and sat to catch up. 

Then the girls ran around on the field. It was hard saying good-bye, but I'm so glad they're somewhat close so we know we'll see each other again!

Saturday morning we woke up and drove to the game. I was relieved that our hotel was close and that traffic was not horrible. Usually the hotel is about 30 minutes away and you sit in game day traffic. Y'all, as much as I hate all of the mandates with COVID, I'm really enjoying some of the game day perks of less traffic and more room in the stands. 

After driving around the fair grounds 3 times to find our parking (the lot we had was closed and we had to drive around to find another one that would let us park) We were finally in the fair grounds and heading toward the Cotton Bowl. 

Since the state fair didn't take place this year (it was a drive through experience) I wasn't sure what the fairgrounds would look like, but there were several food vendors set up and we were able to get a picture with Big Tex! 

DJ grabbed this shot of the field. The game is split right down the 50 yard line with OU fans on one side and Texas fans on the other. 

We found our seats and grabbed some food! The girls only had snacks for breakfast and they were starving! And as excited as I was to see a Fletcher's Corny Dog stand- the line was ridiculous and I just wanted to get inside. 

15 years later and I still have game day nerves, and I'm always nervous about the entire arrival process until I'm in my seat. 

We were ready to cheer on the horns! 

And then, while we were chatting with a friend, her tooth fell out! Like, literally just fell right out of her mouth as she was talking and on to the ground! She took a selfie and we sent pictures to daddy and Gee. 

Thankfully, she brought her tooth box along with her. 

So, if you watched the game, you might have dozed off in the 3rd quarter, but during the 3rd quarter, Texas came back and tied the game causing us to go in to overtime! The girls were over it, but once I told Adalyn that she needed to get up and start yelling, she did just that! 

I looked over and saw Megan filming the game. Future video coordinator?

This girl and I were nervous! 

She was all chill, as we went in to 4 overtimes, and eventually lost the game. Sigh. 

This is the 2nd year, I've been to the game in person and both years we lost, so I told DJ that I'd stay home next year :) 

After the game, we took our time leaving, because we had to wait on DJ to finish up film. He didn't ride to Dallas with us, but he was able to ride home with us. So, we had lots of time to wait. Eventually, they made us leave the stadium, so we wandered out and found that the ferris wheel was operating! 

I tried to get the girls to ride last year, but they were terrified, but this year, Gretchen was super excited to ride! The little girls waited at the bottom and facetimed my mom (probably not my best decision-ha!) But, they were in a safe spot to wait. 

We were excited to ride! 

And the view from the top was pretty spectacular. 

She was so proud to have conquered the ride! 

We eventually met up with DJ and were able to drive home! It was a long day but 100% worth it for the time away and memories made.