I realize everyone is posting their Fourth of July events, but I'm behind.  You'll have to bare with me as I try to finish sharing about our Omaha trip.  For those of you who don't know, the College World Series Finals are the best two out of three.  Meaning...three games.  Since we lost the first two, there was obviously no reason for a third game.  Mama was able to receive a refund for our tickets, and we took advantage of our extra hotel night and stayed around Omaha.  Wednesday morning, the big and little kids loaded up for the Omaha zoo.

Truth be told, it was Lee's idea.  Get this people!  Lee has NEVER been to a zoo before.  [Gasp.]  Now, he did go with us to Disney World several years back and rode the safari ride through the Animal Kingdom.  But that does not count as a trip to the zoo.

Anyway.

He was most excited about seeing the gorillas and monkeys.  A little back story: The day we were at Animal Kingdom, we were all gathered around the crowd near the gorillas.  We heard a worker yell out, "Excuse me sir.  Please do not provoke the gorillas!"  When we looked around to see who in the world was messing with the animals, we saw it.  Lee was standing there alone.  Meaning our family was nowhere near him.  He was just standing there waving at the gorilla.  His new friend.  Hys-ter-i-cal!  We still laugh about that to this day!

Obviously, Lee loves gorillas.

Kristin and Lee at the gorilla exhibit

For any gorilla lovers, the Omaha zoo is certainly for you!  There is a huge gorilla exhibit and tons of monkeys everywhere.  Part of the gorilla exhibit is indoors, and you can see them closer than I've ever seen them.  We probably stayed in this area for 30 minutes or so just watching them go about their daily life.  Scratching.  Lounging.  Pacing.  Chasing.  And getting close to Millie Janalee.  The gorilla really wanted her Cheerios, but she was not interested in sharing.  Ha!

Once we walked through this glassed in area where we could watch the gorillas outside activities, we were led to another glassed in area.  It appeared that a family lived here together.  It was a huge gorilla home with trees to climb, carrots to eat, and lots of things to do.  One gorilla even ran up and banged on the glass where some kids were gathering.  They screamed.  And so did I!

It's hard to see, but there is a gorilla sitting on top of that glass bubble.  And there's Lee getting a closer look!

Lee and Dustin had the best conversations with all the monkeys.

Lee and Dustin posing up close and personal with the "gorillas."

The aquarium is also a big interesting exhibit.  It is very colorful and has so much to take in.  Dustin and Lee are most entertaining to accompany to the zoo!  They say the funniest things and talk for the animals.  At this penguin exhibit, they were giving all the penguins personality and a character from Happy Feet.  Millie Janalee just sat beside them and took it in.  She liked to watch them swim by.  She also liked the bar above her head.  Easily entertained.

Lee, Dustin, and Millie Janalee watching the penguins swim

"Whoa!  Those are huge crabs, Mama!"

Of course we saw lots of other animals during our six hour visit to the Omaha zoo, but nothing was quite as entertaining to these two as the monkeys.  Lee's favorite?  The orangutans!  My favorite?  The gorillas, I think.

Dustin and Lee with the orangutan statue

Sisters

It was a steamy, hot day in Omaha!  The last part of our zoo experience was all outdoors, and Millie Janalee decided she needed to be carried for a little while.  I don't blame her!  Have you ever sat in a stroller with no breeze on such a hot day?  Needless to say, I was soaking wet and walked through every sprinkler fan I saw!  I had fun and took it all in.  I got a little sunburned, and I have no idea how Millie Janalee escaped it. 

Mama and Millie Janalee in front of the rhino

When we left the zoo, Dustin walked Millie Janalee and me over to where Rosenblatt stadium used to be.  Dustin and his friends came to the College World Series in 2007 at Rosenblatt.  The College World Series used to be played at Rosenblatt.  Now, the zoo owns it and has turned much of it into parking.  However, they did keep the original home plate and have a great "memorial" for this little piece of baseball history.  We watched as some Bulldog kids ran the bases with their parents videoing.  Dustin threw out a few pitches from the pitcher's mound, and Millie Janalee and I had a pep talk in the dugout. 

Strike!

Mama and Millie Janalee in the dugout

Millie Janalee's first trip to Rosenblatt

Kristin and Lee cooled the car down and drove over to pick us up.  Mama and Daddy had spent the afternoon walking around the Old Market area.  We all met up at the hotel for a change of dry clothes before driving over to the Old Market area for dinner.  We ate at a little restaurant/bar along the way and spent the rest of the evening strolling around.  It's such a cute area!

Pawpaw and Millie Janalee found some horses

Pawpaw and Millie Janalee watching the sidewalk musicians and spectators dancing

I found some cute shops to explore too!  I don't know how your family shops on vacation, but we do it like this - we all go in.  We all come out at different times.  By the time the last shopper leaves the store, the rest of us are sitting around outside the door.  Ha!

Kristin and Lee waiting patiently

I found the cutest little toy store!  Of course, I picked up a little birthday happy for Millie Janalee.  I could've bought so much more!  They had such unique and fun things!  I took a card, and I found out they have an online store!  Yay!

Thursday morning, we woke up for breakfast downstairs and an early departure.  Ready for our 12 hour drive home!  Add in stops for Auntie Kristin's thimble-like bladder and Millie Janalee's diaper changes and eight different tummies to keep full...and a screaming baby toward the end...and you have yourself a 15 hour road trip.

"Let's go home, people!"

Yes, the road to Omaha is loooonnng.  But the road FROM Omaha is much much longer.

CWS Finals Game 2

Waking up on Day 2 brought a new wave of energy and determination than before.  The tents and stores around downtown had already begun getting 124 UCLA National Champ shirts in.  The manager told Kristin that if State won the second game, they expected over 800 national champ shirts to be shipped in.  I'm guessing it was in Omaha's best interest for us to win.  Ha!  Since the whole city was covered in maroon.

Millie Janalee couldn't take the pressure.  She knew she better rest up for this game.  She rested while we strolled around the stadium, stopping to eat lunch and check out the festivities.  She woke up in time to enjoy some more fun at the hospitality tent.

We enjoyed our free meal and drinks as we visited and talked about the upcoming game.  Millie Janalee put on a show as she typically does...drawing giggles and smiles from all around.  My parents aren't big fans of my just putting her on the ground to play.  I don't think she ate anything poisonous.  Maybe just a little extra protein and help for her immunity.

"Bulldogs are #1!"

Dustin and I took the stroller back a little earlier this time, so I would be sure to see all the pre-game prep.  And, of course, so Millie Janalee and I could take a picture by the field.  Ha!  It was a steamy 1,000 degrees that day.  Okay.  Maybe I'm exaggerating.  A steamy 918 degrees would be fair.  Poor Millie Janalee was wearing a polyester blend outfit.  But, she was looking good!  Special thanks to my college roommate, Jennifer, for loaning us this precious outfit when Millie Janalee was born!  We got tons of compliments.

We got to our seats with plenty of time to spare and time to play.  This Mama was soaking wet and still dripping.  Thankfully, Auntie Kristin was ready to play, and I had a chance to air out from my trek to the stadium.  Everyone began taking their seats and checking out the mood of both teams.  Some of the nail-biting had already begun.

Susu, Auntie Kristin, Millie Janalee, and Uncie Lee

Pawpaw and Uncie Bucket preparing mentally.

Since we arrived a few minutes early, we were able to visit with a few familiar faces.  Our seats were toward the front, so I guess people saw us as we came in.  Some of Russ's friends came looking for him, old friends from home, and college friends came to visit.

It's like football season.  You just never know who will show up around this crew! 

Sometimes, it's the best place to be!  Especially when you drip ketchup and mustard down the front of your white shirt.  My mother is always there to get a stain out!  And, YES, I bring stained baby clothes to her quite often!  Jimbo was in our wedding, and he had not seen Millie Janalee in a while.  So, Millie Janalee and Jimbo had some lovey time.  He got unexpected cuddles too when the crowd began to cheer.  She was holding on for dear life.  Ha!

The team gathered in the outfield, and the maroon and white cheers filled the stadium.  The players' chants began, and the crowd was behind our Dawgs about as much as the humidity was high...100%!

I've gotta say...it was difficult to watch.  There were some high points...and some could've been high points.  Basically, we had no runs and very few base hits.  They had several.  Millie Janalee looked at me at this point as if to say, "You mean, I dressed in this polyester blend with sweat gathering beneath my eyes, ate my baby food in the stands, and took my naps wrapped in sweaty arms for this?!"  We had a talk, and she ended up deciding that making it to the College World Series Finals was a pretty big deal and worth celebrating!

So the score was painful.  8-0 to be exact.  The announcer kept saying, "UCLA 8, Mississippi State - nothing!"  It would've been nice if he had just used the number 0 instead of "nothing."  But, alas, that's his problem.  Not mine.

Except it annoyed me.

The boys were disappointed.  Tears were shed on the field and in the stands.  The UCLA team was piled on top of one another on the pitcher's mound as our boys' heads hung low.  But, above all the shouts and victory fireworks...one thing rang louder than it all.  The cheers of the State fans who traveled many many miles.  "Even though they couldn't afford it" (according to ESPN). 

"MARRRROOOOOOOON!  WHHHHIIIIIITE!" 

It was the battle cry of this team who fought with all their might to make it this far.  They fell short of the biggest trophy.  But, they represented Mississippi and the SEC well.  With class.  With integrity.  And with the strength of nearly 10,000 fans behind them...and SO MANY more back home.  So, we took home the 2nd place trophy.

Not too bad.  Not bad at all.

CWS Finals Game 1

Monday morning, we awoke to a Maroon Monday filled with cowbells, cheers, and lots of excitement.  Daddy, Mama, and Dustin had arrived in Omaha while we were sleeping after 1 am.  We were all up and ready to go by late morning. 

So was everyone else.  An estimated 8,000+ State fans traveled to Omaha for the finals.  And WELL over 1,000 of those stood in line Monday morning during a brief thunderstorm in hopes of winning "the lottery" for the 1,000 alotted reserved seats.  The rest of those who did not get reserved seats in the lottery stood in line again for general admission tickets.  It. was. insane!

Our crew gathered for a late lunch and headed over to the first of our Bulldog events.  As we made our way to the Centurylink Convention Center for the Diamond Dawgs Championship Pregame Tailgate, we walked past the fans waiting for general admission tickets.  Oh my!  I wish I had been in a state of mind to take a picture.  I never saw the beginning.  And I never saw the end.  The line went on forever and ever.  And ever!

All maroon!

I just knew all our fans were standing in line, so our tailgate event would be fairly small.  That would be wrong!  It was shoulder to shoulder.  People were everywhere!  We visited with many friends from home and some we haven't seen in years.  It was a fun time to gather with our fans and take in the excitement of the day and the history making game.

Can you find Dustin?  The rest of us took the elevator with the stroller.

After awhile, we decided to leave the Centurylink Convention Center and head toward our second event...the hospitality tent.  When Mama purchased our tickets, wristbands for the hospitality tent came with the package she bought.  We enjoyed free (well...paid for when wristbands were purchased) food and drinks while we waited for game time! 

Kristin and Lee in front of the Roads to Omaha

Millie Janalee was pretty hot by this time.  Bless her!  Ha!

While we ate and rehydrated, the boys played a game of corn hole.  There were lots of other activities at the Fan Fest area outside our tent.  Simulation football games, baseball activities, free Reece's cups, and lots more!  Ha!  It was the ideal setup for anyone with kids for sure!

Dustin battling Lee at corn hole

Kristin and Mama enjoying the pre-game atmosphere

When 6:15 rolled around, it was time for me to take the stroller back to the hotel.  It wasn't a long walk back, but it was a hot one.  Daddy joined us and helped me carry my bags.  You know...the big diaper bag filled with necessities like food, drink, bottle, wipes, diapers, etc.  And the little pink backpack filled with game day fun like beads, a cheerleader doll, MSU sunglasses, and a camera.  Ha!

We got into the stadium just in time to see the National Anthem, the teams lined up, and the flyover.  Millie Janalee wasn't too sure about all the "Maroon! White!" cheers.  But she warmed up to it.  The outfield, especially, was FILLED with maroon and white!  It was overwhelming.  It was amazing to see the support for our team!  Cheers filled the stadium.  Chanting every players name, "Hey, hey, hey! Good-bye!", and more.  The College World Series Final was overrun with Bulldog fans.

Once all the pre-game festivities were over, it was time for us to wind up for the first pitch.  And the game was on!  Just like that.

Millie Janalee?  Well....

Daddy and Dustin were in gameday focus.  Just as they had been all week prior to this game I'm sure.  The game certainly had a sloppy start.  And there wasn't much improvement except for the occasional base hit and great defense.

I spent most of the game cheering into the face of the cutest fan around!  Millie Janalee woke up, and I quickly put on my beads for her playtime pleasure.  She was entertained for the better half of the game.  Her supper, Cheerios, and cheerleader doll entertained her for the other half.

Let's be honest, Millie Janalee tried to steal the show for a minute there.  The cameraman made his way down by our seats.  (OH...did I mention that we had amazing seats?!  Like right on the first base line on the 11th row.  Almost right by the first base itself.)  Next thing I know everyone around us is looking at me (or so I thought).  The cameraman was bracing himself for a shot of Millie Janalee.  She sat there oblivious eating her Cheerios.  The crowd around us started cheering when that sweet angel Bulldog appeared on the video board.  She looked up to see what all the commotion was about.  Never stopped eating her Cheerios though.  Ha! 

And the star of the show is...

The game proved to be another nail-biter.  Pawpaw had to take breaks here and there to play with Millie Janalee between innings.  I think this helped him keep from losing his cool.  Or pulling his hair out.  Millie Janalee didn't mind.  She could see the game much better from Pawpaw's lap!

The game ended in a 3-1 loss for the Bulldogs.  Disappointed?  Yes.  Hopeful?  Absolutely!  The College World Series Championship is the best 2 out of 3.  Tomorrow would be a new day.  And we were ready for a do-over.

Let's GO DAWGS!  Win it all!

The Road to Omaha

Well.

I suppose I have recovered enough to compose a few blog posts on our comings and goings over the last couple of weeks.  I apologize for being MIA.  Things get busy with trips and packing and unpacking and laundry and playtime and all that good stuff.  We are now home.  At least for a day or two, and I have uploaded all the photos from our adventures.  I'm ready.

It all began with a ballgame.  Not just any game.  The College World Series game.  Those of us still in Mississippi continued to grow more and more jealous of Dustin and my dad as they enjoyed the CWS from the stadium.  Russ ventured on to Chicago with some fellow residents for work, while Millie Janalee and I decided to watch the big game with Kristin, Lee, and Mama.  By "big game" I mean the game against Oregon State.  A win would assure us a spot in the CWS FINALS!  A first in Mississippi State school history.

It was history in the making, y'all!

So, it shouldn't surprise you too bad to know that when the game ended with a nail-biting 5-4 win we jumped to begin making our plans for Omaha.  To our surprise, Mama had already ordered eight tickets for the finals in good faith that our team would be there.  This helps us to understand her frantic pacing throughout the game.  Ha!

A little father/daughter "fear the beard" action

So within 24 hours, our car load was on the road to Omaha!  Kristin, Lee, Millie Janalee, and I decided to travel to Columbia, MO and spend the night....breaking the 743 miles into two days.  Daddy and Dustin would fly home so that Daddy could preach on Sunday, and they would turn right around with Mama and drive to Omaha Sunday afternoon.  To pass the time, we spent the 12+ hours on the road buried in group family text messages that included pictures of all family members sporting beards preparing to "fear the beards."  If you don't know what that means, please pause for a moment and visit this site to see the origin of our College World Series motto.  I also spent a good bit of my time finishing the fabulous Sophie Hudson's (Boomama) book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet.  A definite must-read, people!

After a long night of rowdy hotel guests in Columbia, MO (Kristin and I may or may not have called hotel management at 1 am demanding my 11 month old did not wake to partying looney tunes), we loaded the car for the final leg of our road to Omaha!  Excitement built when we passed the stadium as we made our way to the hotel.  Did I mention that my mom found fantastic hotel rooms?  Right across the street from TD Ameritrade Stadium!

After unloading and freshening up, we took to the streets!  It was a Sunday in between gamedays, so the crowd was minimal.  It worked out great for us, because we didn't have to fight the crowd with our big stroller.  We enjoyed the summery HOT day and took it all in. 

Kristin, Lee, Millie Janalee, and me

Kristin and Lee in front of the CWS bracket

Ready to show Millie Janalee a little history!

There was nothing but maroon covering Omaha!  The stores and tents sold maroon and white shirts, hats, and more.  Every once in a while we would see a store with a little corner of UCLA blue and yellow.  It was obvious that Omaha was expecting Mississippi State fans to show up!  And we did.  Walking the streets of Omaha was much like walking the streets in Mississippi.  A smile, nod, or "Go Dawgs!" was exchanged as we passed maroon after maroon.  We made a stop by the stadium to check it out. 

Millie Janalee and me

Kristin and Lee

We decided to drive over to the Old Market area (I think that's what it's called.) for dinner.  It was such a delightful area!  The streets were brick/cobblestone.  The atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed.  Restaurant patrons dined outside along wrought iron fences with beautiful flowers adorning the edges.  Quaint and unique shops were in between.  We ate at Spaghetti Works outside, because it looked like a good casual dining area.  Millie Janalee slept through every bit of this.  Strolling on the streets must've been like a massage chair as we strolled over the brick/cobblestone.  Ha!  After dinner, we strolled over to a neat looking ice cream shop.  As we got in line (which was so long we were standing outside!) several baseball players came out the back door. 

You know I couldn't let this opportunity go by without a picture, right?!  Thankfully, Millie Janalee was stirring a bit, because I grabbed her up for the picture.  We can sleep later!  Ha!  The players were so kind, and posed with several other fans after we finished.  My trip was nearly complete.  The only thing left was a win!

Yes.  The road to Omaha was long!  But worth every mile so far.