Tiger Nation

Sorry for the delay in posting. Where to begin?!? In mid October (nearly 3 months ago!!!) I forced persuaded Mimi and Pops to plan a trip to Clemson for Homecoming.

The trip was four days and each day was full of it's own adventure. I think we got up there on Thursday and went to Pixie and Bills for dinner. Justin and I got to reminiss and everyone ate well. Ted came from the kitchen to visit with us at the table and told us how much he thought of Justin and I coming back up to help out at P&Bs when Helen died. I only write that now so that I never forget. It was incredibly sweet of him to come back to the table and share that story with my parents. The Corontzes are good people.

Sadly, no decent family pics were taken at the dock that evening.

After dinner, we took the grandparents and the babes back to the hotel, where they presumably ate lots of cookies and watched lots of TV, and we partied. Meaning we ate Tiger Town Tavern garbage fries. WITH lots of ranch (because I like to get rowdy). Some of the pics to follow need no explanation. Some, I have no explanation. It was a fun night.

The next day (Friday), we drove into the foothills...because what better way to spend the day when you have a bit of a hangover and a major head cold than to drive around winding roads at varying altitudes. It was so fun watching Jack and Ella's reactions when they saw Dry Falls and seeing them run around Stump House Tunnel. Those two locations hold a special place in my heart. I remember going there with my grandparents as a kid and we frequented them in college too. The foothills of North and South Carolina rejuvenate my soul. The mountains will always call my name louder than the ocean. I'm so glad to have been able to start what I hope to be an annual trip with everyone.

  

Jack informed us as we walked in the tunnel (after warning him that it would be dark), that he wasn't scared because he was the bravest choo-choo on the island of Sodor. I mean, the kid couldn't get any cuter if he tried.

They made it out safely!! Jack held Justin's hand the entire time! This has got to be my favorite picture of the trip!

We had lunch in the highlands and shopped around a bit. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful fall day. The air was crisp and cool. Despite feeling awful, I'd live that day over and over again if I could. 

There was also a Lion King reenactment. I think I even saw uncle john enjoying himself a few times.

Mimi was in heaven with her two babies!

The next day was the game. We tailgated and played. Jack found these trains at a store with Clemson apparel. He can sniff out a train anywhere!!

This picture is just a perfect illustration of our afternoon tailgating. 

Princess got a little bored at the tailgate. She resorted to chewing her feet. Just kidding, she's trying to get her socks off. So we decided to walk (with two tired, un-napped babies) to Bowman field to look at the floats. Not the best idea we ever had, but we lived to tell. 

We made it back to the tailgate and Jack took a nap. Princess raised cane.

Then we were off to the game!!

They had a ball! The football, the concessions, the fireworks, the roar of the crowd. It got in their blood for sure ;) Raising them right. I was so impressed how they stayed awake and were so pleasant with such little rest during the day. 

At some point, Jack abandoned us and went to sit with Mimi and Pops.

Of course we won (homecoming and all) and rushed the field! Jack loved it!

Princess too!

There isn't much better than going back to your old stomping grounds with your family on vacation. Hope to do it again soon!