Christmas Eve: Bowl Edition

Our Christmas Eve was pretty unusual this year! We headed to Shreveport the day before Christmas Eve for the Independence Bowl. You can check out our first day here. 

Christmas Eve day was the kids outing. We made sure that all of the girls would be able to go on the outing. The morning was pretty hectic. We woke up early to have breakfast and get ready, and headed downstairs to complete the paperwork for the kids. Once everyone was ready, the girls loaded the bus and headed to a trampoline park, and then to an arcade/pizza place for lunch. The girls all said that they had a blast and they came home feeling pretty spoiled!

Once the kids headed off, the wives headed to a Mardi Gras museum. 

Apparently, everyone loves to celebrate Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Several years ago, when we were at the GMAC bowl, I learned that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile. And we toured a museum there. It was pretty neat to see the difference in how it's celebrated in Shreveport. The costumes are very similar, the floats, the beads.... but in Mobile, the kings and queens of Mardi Gras are the debutantes, while the kings and queens in Shreveport, are on the older side, if you catch my drift. 

The current queen was there and told us about the organization that puts on Mardi Gras in Shreveport and all that it entails. 

They served us King Cake, and I found the baby in my slice. Tradition says that I have to buy the next King Cake and host the next party, so guess what?! You're all invited to the party!

After we sat through the presentation, enjoyed the cake, and admired the elaborate costumes, we headed outside to look at the floats. 

We were able to go in one, and were shocked to find bathrooms on board! But, they said that the parades can last 2-3 hours, so I guess they need a bathroom!

When we were finished, we headed to a chef demonstration. 

The chef showed us how to make Shrimp and Grits. 

I have to say, the Shrimp was fabulous! The grits, well, they're not for this Southern girl. 

After our cooking demonstration, we did some shopping, and then headed to Zocolo for lunch. 

I had their Shrimp Pasta, which was too die for! After lunch, we headed back to the hotel and picked up the girls. Then, it was straight to the room for naps!

The girls and I all had about a two hour nap! When we woke up, we headed over to the outlet mall for some shopping. 

The girls were pretty mesmerized by the fountains!

I think they really loved justing being out of the hotel!

We found a gigantic Christmas tree and I tried to take a picture, Addy Pearl wouldn't come any closer though!

And, then we finally convinced her.

The girls really wanted to go to Build-A-Bear, so we did!

Megan picked out a LaLaLoopsy doll to make. 

She warmed the heart, gave it a kiss, and shoved it inside her doll. 

Addy picked Olaf, but wouldn't participate in the stuffing. She did however go over and pick out a heart, and warmed it up and gave it a kiss without any prompting. This girl learns fast. 

Gretchen picked out a My Little Pony. 

Then the girls gave their new toys a bath. 

We closed the mall down, and headed to meet the shuttle. 

Once we got back, we changed clothes to get ready for dinner and then we had a team meeting.

Everyone was excited when Coach Montgomery announced that Santa had stopped by for a visit!

The girls were pumped! And the look in their eyes and the smile on Gretchen's face, made our away-from-home Christmas Eve pretty priceless!

But, Addy was getting a bit sleepy.

All of the players took turns having their picture made with Santa. 

DJ's video staff had their picture made and then it was our turn. 

The girls were excited that Santa knew their name, and told Gretchen that she probably talked too much at school! 

And, then this happened! Probably, the very best picture and moment ever. 

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing more of our Christmas Eve and our Christmas morning!

Bowling.....

This past week, we headed to Shreveport, La for the Independence Bowl. We enjoyed having a few days off for the first part of our Christmas break from school, but I spent most of that time packing! 

It took lots of time getting the girls packed. We needed daytime outfits, event outfits, Christmas outfits and more. Packing for three kids is difficult in itself, but packing three girls and matching outfits, is just a whole different ball game. 

Our entire Tuesday was spent packing. Once I got the girls packed, DJ and I started packing. That evening, our power went out, and it was a late night trying to get everything ready to go. 

We had to be up at 4:45 last Wednesday, so we could get to the football stadium by 6:15. We woke the girls up at 5:30, and put them in the car in their pj's. 

We arrived at the stadium, loaded our suitcases, and then grabbed breakfast. 

These girls were pretty happy eating their breakfast on the bus. They were super excited for our trip!

I mean, they were full of so much energy!

The busses took us to the airport, and once we went through security, we were on the plane and ready to go. 

Addy and DJ had a whole side to themselves. 

A little over an hour later, we landed in Shreveport, and the humidity instantly hit us in the face. I knew it would be warmer than it was in Tulsa, but I wasn't fully prepared for the almost 80 degree temperatures. 

Once we got off the plane, we loaded the bus, and waited for the bags to be loaded. 

And then we made it to the hotel! 

I got the girls dressed, we grabbed some lunch, and then we headed up for naps. 

DJ spent the morning setting up the meeting rooms, and Adalyn and I slept while the big girls played in their rooms and played or read. 

When nap time was over, we played in the lobby and waited for DJ to get finished. 

The girls loved the teddy bear tree in the hotel lobby. 

Once DJ was finished, he went to get the car and the girls and I found gigantic leaves!

And, they climbed and played. 

Since our bowl game was over Christmas, we wanted to still make the holiday special for the girls. (I'll be sharing more about our Christmas a bit later this week.) So, we headed out to find a Christmas tree for our hotel room. 

Since Megan and Gretchen wouldn't nap during nap time, they both ended up falling asleep in the car while we went to the store to buy a tree! Gretchen napping, rarely happens, so it was pretty monumental- ha! 

We ended up getting a tree, driving by the high school that practice was going to be held, and then back to the hotel in time for the first night of bowl activities. 

Night one was a "Game Show" with the players from both teams participating. 

I'm proud to say that Tulsa won the night!

After the Game Show, we headed over to the Science Museum, for appetizers and drinks, and some exploring. 

The girls played in the water. 

And Gretchen was able to pet a baby alligator. 

We had a little time to explore the rest of the museum before calling it a night. 

Once we got back to the hotel, we took a few pictures before heading up to the room for bed. Gretchen and Megan wore matching red corduroy dresses with footballs, and Adalyn wore a red dress. I had been saving their football dresses for two year- since our last bowl appearance, and was thrilled that the girls could finally wear them! 

And, we had a quick family picture too. 

Day 1 was long, but full of anticipation!

Come back tomorrow to see our Christmas Eve bowl celebrations! 

Merry Christmas!

From, our family to yours, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas!

May your day be filled with family, love, laughter, and most importantly, remembering the birth of our Savior. 

Addy Pearl- 2 1/2 years. 

Megan Claire- 4 1/2 years.

Gretchen Rose- 7 (turning 8 next month!)

And, us- the parents behind the crazies!

Many blessings to each of you!