Football Banquet

We had our annual fotball banquet this afternoon and managed to snap a picture of our family for our Christmas cards!

Thanks to my posts about Shutterfly last week I saved 104.00 on our cards! I usually order simple cards with 1 picture, but, since they were free, I went all out and decked out the inside of the card with pictures throughout the year~ I'm so excited to receive them!

The banquet today was enjoyable. I loved the food, but maybe that was because I'm almost 15 weeks pregnant! My mom purchased a few maternity clothes for me when she was in Branson a few weeks ago- check out this awesome brown sweater dress she bought me! It was so comfortable and I might have to throw it in the washer so I can wear it again this week! It's much more comfortable then my non-maternity pants being held up by the bella band!

Have you ever taken your kids to a banquet or a nice dinner? As a parent, you know that you have to be prepared- snacks, quiet toys, potty breaks, etc. When DJ and I came home we immediately agreed that we'd be getting Gretchen a babysitter next year!

The banquet was a nice end to our season (as it usually is). And, if you know anything about our personal lives, you know that there are some possible upcoming changes to our football family. Every 2 years, there's a change- at least that's what our record has been for DJ and myself. I'm praying for the families that might have to move and that are having big changes in their own lives. I'm also praying that God will be with our own family and that we can avoid any changes that aren't his intentions for us.

BSU Homecoming

Last Saturday was our homecoming football game! The game was during nap time, and the day was a scorcher, but Gretchen and I braved the elements and survived! Sadly, our football players did not, as the game was a bit of a let down. Gretchen had fun cheering on her "football kids".

I dressed her too warm, so we had to push up the sleeves, roll up the jeans, and use a silly band to pull her hair back!

She was tired, so she layed down with her baby to "sleep." Sadly, this didn't last but for about a minute!

I'm hoping that this Saturday's game will be a little..... more victorious! Go Cards!

Surviving a Football Game with a Toddler in Tow

Surviving a football game with a toddler in tow isn't the easiest task to accomplish. You can just ask me or any of our football coaches wives, as we do it throughout many weekends in the fall. I, in fact, have done it 3 out of 4 weekends in September, and will be doing it at least two more times in October!

Over the last three football seasons, my "Surviving the Game" technique has greatly improved! Now, if you're lucky enough that your husband isn't a diehard and he'll be there to help you, then, let's just say, "I'm completly jealous." My husband, on the other hand, is on the sidelines, and editing the game film before the game is even over!
First, make sure you have plenty of these:

Helpers, that is! Now, i'm not fortunate enough to have family close by, but on this particular game day, we had family that was actually there! I love when our families get to come to a game, because, I get to actually watch most of it! If you don't have family, think about who sits around you that can be a good help- or, consider bringing a babysitter.

Next, buy popcorn. This box was huge, and only cost about $3.00. It lasted Gretchen the ENTIRE football game! Now, I do realize that food at a ball game can be expensive. So, here's what I do..... at our home stadium, it's fairly easy to sneak in snacks. I make sure they're hidden in the bottom of our game bag or stuffed into a blanket, coat pockets, etc. I also take her sippy cup. I fill it with dilluted juice before the game, and then i'll add water throughout the game. I also try to make sure that Gretchen and myself have eaten before the game. We either tailgate or eat before we leave the house. If for some reason, we weren't able to eat, I buy nachos and a hot dog that we share!

You'll also want to make sure that your child isn't deathly afraid of one of these.... the dreaded mascot that's only mission is to scare, I mean, bring joy to all of the young fans in the crowd. Gretchen is seriously siked out by our mascot, Charlie..... She can talk about him, she knows he says "tweet, tweet", but, Lord help us if he gets even this close to us! Let's just say, she yells louder than the cheerleaders when she sees him. So, be on lookout duty for this scary guy! And, distract your child when he's near.

And, my most favorite trick of all- a portable DVD player! Make sure that it's charged and bring 1 or 2 of your childs favorite movies. Don't expect your child to stay glued to it, like they may at home. There are tons of distractions at a football game, but it can at least get you through a few minutes of sanity. If your child is older, make sure you have headphones.

If you're potty training a toddler, then make sure you have a change of clothes, and frequent the bathroom as often as possible!

Dedicate a bag to game day survival- put in pom poms, megaphones, clappers, snacks, a blanket, books, crayons, a coloring book, and other smaller toys that won't be too heavy for you to carry. If you're child is older, let them have a small backpack that they can carry!

Remember, that if the game is during your child's nap time, that you may need to be prepared to go late or leave early.

Using all or some of these tips will make your game time much more enjoyable! Go Team!!!

Captured Moment

I love when pictures are taken, and the subject isn't actually aware- it makes for the absolute best pictures!

This picture was taken last Saturday at the BSU game, and was actually on our local newspapers website!

Gretchen and I were tailgating, and I'm pretty sure this was taken when she was trying to run away from me!

But, I love it! I'm a little partial to the huge bow in the picture, but I also love that it's a fairly touching moment of the two of us, even though you can only see my hair!

She'll be sporting the same bow tomorrow as we head to Purdue, to take on the Boilermakers!!! And, hopefully this time, I'll have my camera at the game!!!

Fan Jam

Every year, pre-season, we head out to Fan Jam to meet all of the football players, cheerleaders, and other fall sports teams at BSU. Of course, we have to go, because of DJ, but I think we'd head out regardless because it's so much fun!

As Gretchen gets older, she's also able to experience more of the activities and games, so she had a blast this year! She got a Cardinal tatoo on her cheek, just like the cheerleaders wear!

And practiced her field hockey skills, although, she thought she was playing golf!

And, kicked around the soccer ball with the soccer girls! (They loved her!) The soccer girls asked her if she was going to play soccer when she grew up, and she said "No, I gonna be a football kid!"

Daddy was impressed that she could drink from an open cup! It was so hot on the field turf that she had to have something!

And, every year, we get a new picture of Gretchen and her daddy. This picture goes in a special frame by his chair in the living room! I'm just glad she cooperated this year!

Thursday marks our opening game, and I'm finally getting excited that football is here and fall is just around the corner!

What's one of your favorite football traditions?