At this point, I can hear the Dirty Dancing song, "I've Had the Time of My Life." I can envision running across this EverBank Field as I'm lifted by a Bulldog football player just like Patrick Swayze lifted Jennifer Grey. Ha! Yes, that's how I picture it! It was an unexpected performance that is the best I've seen to date! And, I had the time of my life!

Smith clan on game day

We arrived at EverBank Field early Saturday to avoid traffic and watch the team come in. Excitement was everywhere, and cowbells were ringing. Such a heavenly sound! I just know there will be cowbells in heaven! If not, I'll bring mine!

Gator Bowl 2011

It was immediately very obvious that the Mississippi State fans outnumbered the Michigan fans by quite a bit. No matter what, we would bring noise to this Gator Bowl! We joined the enormous crowd as we waited an hour for the team to arrive. Finally, we saw the buses! Cowbells rang. People cheered. I screamed. Signs were posted. Fun was had!

Here they come!

Here they are!

Once the team entered the stadium, it was a mad dash into the stadium with all the other 50,000+ State fans! Maroon was everywhere!

To my left...

In front...

To the right...

Fun reminder of the Egg Bowl just adds an extra smile

We enjoyed a pregame performance by former Lonestar lead singer before the teams took the field to play a little FOOTBALL!

I don't remember sitting much of this game. We were up cheering and ringing our bells for our Dawgs as they destroyed Michigan! There were a few records set, including Most Points Scored by a Winner!

The crowd was wild! It wasn't a nail biter, but we all know this game could have turned around quickly if our defense hadn't kept Michigan from scoring. They can score fast. But, not that day! Such a FINE way to RING in the new year!

Excited Party of Two

The few Michigan fans that were there, sneaked out before the game was even over and were completely gone by the trophy presentation. We cheered for our coach and players and Chris Relf for being awarded the MVP trophy!

Wrap that in maroon and white!

Daddy and Mama in front of the scoreboard

Me and Russ - Gator Bowl 2011

No one wanted to leave. We all just let it sink in, and dreamed of our upcoming 2011 season. We were so glad we came, and couldn't wait to book our bowl game for next year! I'll be cheering for our Dawgs all season in hopes of another fun-filled bowl game! My goal: BCS Bowl! In fact, we stayed so long that the Gator Bowl staff came up to ask us to leave! Ha! So we slowly and proudly exited section 217 ringing our bells all the way!

Outside we ran into a few friends and even family members! Everyone was just so happy. Hugging. Giving high fives. Ringing cowbells. Still cheering!

Mama and Roseanna

Holly, Warren (Russ's cousin), Russ, Will, and Emma

Bottom line...

It was simply SUBLIME! I've had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you Bulldogs!

RINGING in the New Year!

So "What [were] you doing New Year's...New Year's Eve?" I always start singing that song when New Year's comes around. What were you doing? Me? Oh...I was with my family. In JACKSONVILLE, FL! Yes, we traveled about 10 hours to be at the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. We left Thursday morning around 6, so we could play and not be so rushed for New Year's. Rhonda, Kristin, and Lee met us at the hotel and we ate a bite....wearing maroon everywhere we went!

Daddy, Mama, and Rhonda

Me, Russ, Lee and Kristin

I loved this trip! Every bit of it. In fact, I could've stayed an extra day or two just to shop. The outdoor mall was HUGE and had amazing stores all in one spot! It also had a heavenly spot right in the center! Cheesecake Factory! We slept in Friday morning and played around in the room. And, don't be deceived....us adults can still play! Ha! We ate a late lunch at Cheesecake Factory and were STUFFED! But, we all saved room for a phenomenal cheesecake!

Go ahead! Click to enlarge and look at all the cheesecake choices! I won't judge.

Lee, Kristin, and Rhonda

Mama, me, Russ, and Daddy

After stopping in a few stores and...yes, purchasing more maroon...we got back to the hotel just in time to get ready for our evening. A night with 4,000 other Bulldogs! With the exception of Dustin and Mary, who went to the Dawg Pound New Year's Eve Party, the family went to the Alumni New Year's Eve Party. We pulled in around 7 or so and saw a huge crowd of people waiting to get in. This was the place to be. Somehow, Daddy formed a completely new line so we ended up being the first people in this particular line. He'll never reveal his secrets of getting to the front of lines or finding good parking spots, I'm sure! Ha! We waited until they opened the gates at 8.

Me and my hubby on New Year's Eve

The guys in their new maroon sportcoats they got from Kristin and Lee for Christmas

Once we got in, Mama did what she does best...found a spot to save for the rest of us! Ha! There was music, dancing, a great view of the river perfect for fireworks later on, and lots of State fans fired up about a big game!

Kristin, me, Rhonda, and Mama

Happy New Year from Mama and Daddy!

The crowd downstairs by the dance floor. Mama's spot was on the balcony overseeing it all!

I was very excited for a couple of reasons. #1 - I got to spend the first moments of the new year watching fireworks on the river with my hubby in Jacksonville, FL with people all in love with MSU football! #2 - We got to spend the new year with some of my college friends. I was super excited about seeing my college roomie, Kelly and her her husband, Aaron! We go back a long way, and we can always pick right back up where we left off. I love this girl! In fact, I bawled my eyes out the night she got married and held a grudge against Aaron for taking her away...until his little incident in Iraq. Then, I forgave him. You're lucky you only have one leg, Aaron, or I might still be mad! Love you too!

Kelly and me

And her husband is not too bad either! But, if you've never hopped over to their blog...YOU MUST DO THAT! It is worth your time to read her hilarious posts. And that is just the way she is all the time! I miss her. Maybe, we should have a second apartment just for us to room together once in a while, Kelly!

Russ, me, Kelly, and Aaron

And, to my surprise, we ran into more college friends on the dance floor during the "Cha Cha Slide!" Thanks, Van Winkle, for teaching me that. I was cool for just a few minutes! Ha!

Kelly, me, Kristin, Marcee, and Catherine

Russ and I found food at some point, and we were SO happy! I talked Kelly into eating her first hot dog in 20+ years despite the nickname Aaron came up with for it. Hot dogs are yummy, aren't they Kelly? Ha! They were out of hamburgers, so she really didn't have a choice anyway.

Yep, that's my man! I'm so proud.

As for the rest of the night, it involved dancing, dancing, fun, dancing, and more fun!

Kristin breaking it down with her bro-in-law

Me and my new brother-in-law!


The band even came to party!

Daddy says, "Happy New Year!" I have absolutely NO idea how or where he got the second headpiece! Ha!

Just before midnight, Daddy motioned for us to join them on the balcony to get a better view of this....


Happy New Year!

This is the best picture we got!

I have a feeling it's gonna be a great 2011!

MSU vs. Arkansas

Once again, I have completely neglected my sweet blog. On a happy note, we are moved in and getting settled in our new place. We feel quite cozy and at home. Now, to catch up...

As most of you know by now, my beloved Bulldogs pulled off an extraordinary game against Arkansas a few weeks ago. Of course this family began our day much earlier. With tailgating!

Lee and Rhonda

We had lots of visitors and several regulars at our last home game and tailgate of the season. It's been a great season! The weather has been football-perfect! And the Arkansas game was no exception.

Mary, Daddy, and Mama

We all enjoyed visiting with friends and family. We laughed, caught up...

Leann and Kristin

....and ate - as per our usual activities! Ha!

Kendall

We enjoyed seeing friends as they stopped by for visits.

The Green's group

Me, Russ, Becca, and Adam

The excitement for this final game...and a big SEC game against two ranked teams...was enormous! We were ready and hoping for a win! The game was quite exciting. Now that it's been three weeks, I can't remember specifics as I usually detail the best parts. One thing I can tell you is that Daddy got excited...

Then, when we went into double overtime...I was having to sit with my head between my knees to keep myself from passing out! Too much excitement and nervousness! It was CRAZY!

However, after this photo...we went down. There were some fluke mistakes that just led us to a loss. But, if this football program is looking for a phenomenal game for their fans...they've done it!

Great job, DAWGS! We still had one more game after all. You know....that "other school" was next. Ha!

MSU vs. KY

Once again, this family headed south to Starkvegas for some good ole SEC football! This was a big game for us. You see, we've been put in the rankings. Simple as that. Some of you may be thinking, "So what? Isn't it more important what NUMBER rank you are?" No! If you are a State fan, you understand that it is simply unheard of to be RANKED! Much less be ranked #21! So, coming into this game as the #21 team, we were feeling the pressure. The pressure to MOVE ON UP!

But, first things first! Tailgating!

Mama and Sherra

We took our normal spots beneath our four tents, grilled out, and enjoyed the company of our regular group.

Daddy and Rickey grilling burgers and hot dogs

Hoping for a victory, we happily relaxed as we welcomed visitors throughout the day to visit, eat, and take a seat to enjoy more college football on the TV.

The hubs

I used to say that tailgating was the best part of football season. You can see why, I'm sure! It is always a time for friends to get together from all over the state to celebrate one single love....Mississippi State football!

Vicki, Mama, Sherra, Lauren

Kristin, me, and Season

Dustin and Mary

Ryan, Season, me, and Russ

Lee and Rhonda

Russ, me, Becca, and Adam

Then, there is the Dawg Walk. That's pretty high up there this year. It has been fun welcoming this hard working, winning, sold out, and RANKED team and coaches!

Sisters and their cowbells!

Then, we come back to what USED to be the best part of MSU football...the tailgate! We visit some more, watch more football on TV, and eat more food! We laugh more, watch fans pass by, and anxiously await kickoff!

Phil and Ricky

Allison and Mary

More friends...

Finally, it's game time. Now, let me speak for myself when I say that NOW....NOW that we are playing football with a few "W's" under our belt and a number preceding our name on the ESPN score bar....NOW that we are proud, unified, and pushing forward and movin' up....NOW the actual football game is just as much fun as the tailgating! I'd go with the word AWESOME, ENERGETIC, and LOUD! I love it!!

This week, "Dan the Man" spoke before the game to encourage all our fans to ring responsibly. I must tell you that WE DID A PHENOMENAL job ringing only when prompted. I'm thinking we won't be fined after all! Ha!

Coach Mullen speaking to the students

But, when it was time to ring...we RANG! Mama thought this through as she brought one glove for her ringing hand. This is to avoid blisters, in case you weren't sure. Ha!

Mama and her cowbell glove

Yes, we were excited! We were ready! Oh...and it was Halloween weekend as well. I guess you could say Daddy was ready!

Bully and Mama

The game was incredible. It was close and action packed! I'd even go as far as to say that "Bully" got a little nervous...

But, all in all...we ended with a WIN! And that's what matters!

The fans were unbelievable! Everyone stayed until the end ringing their cowbells unrestrained. The team celebrated. The coach threw his cap into the student section. We were PROUD!

Yep...we're movin' on up AGAIN! Up to #20 this week in the BCS rankings! Can we say BOWL GAME?! Yes we can!

Go Dawgs!