Adventures in Mommyhood: Clara's First Football Game!!

Saturday we left for Columbia, Missouri to watch our beloved Tigers play Western Illinois. We hadn't been to a football game since the Mizzou - Kansas game at Arrowhead Stadium last winter. I wrote my last post on my phone on the way there, which is why it didn't have punctuation or capitalization in it. (That post is now revised... whew!)

Once we made it there, we met Caleb's dad and step-mom at Ruby Tuesdays. I absolutely LOVE their salad bar. After we were done eating, we went to the mall to try to find Clara some Mizzou apparel that fit. (She had a newborn Mizzou outfit, but it no longer fit my fifteen-and-one-half-pounds baby!) We found a GREAT deal at JC Penney. On Saturday, everything was an extra 15% off!! So, she got 2 Nike Mizzou onesies and 1 Carter's onesie (only because it was $2). We also picked up a few ponchos just in case it rained while at the game (since they don't allow umbrellas in the stadium).

After shopping, it was time to go try to find a parking spot before going to the BBQ. We almost didn't get a spot to park, but we were SO lucky to pull up right behind someone who was pulling out of their spot in the parking garage. Caleb's mom was not as lucky, and she had to park along the street and walk quite a long way.

The BBQ was great! The food, by Slo MO BBQ, tasted amazing. We had the choice of beef brisket or pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, and potato salad. And, it was really nice for Caleb to get to see some people he hadn't seen in a while. While there were no classmates of his there, the LTC (now retired) that was the head of the ROTC program (called a PMS) while he was going to college was there in addition to a lady who worked in the office and the LTC (retired) that works with the alumni. Door prizes were given out (we didn't get anything), and there was a demonstration by the Pershing Rifle team (think: twirling rifles).

Then it was time to get Clara into warm clothes and head to the game. I stopped and talked to one of Caleb's old roommates on the way to the field while Caleb and his mom went to get the tickets at the Will Call window. Last time we saw him was last year at the game that had the ROTC BBQ. It was nice to talk to him, and I also got to see some of his friends that I know as well.

Then, on to the game. We found our spot to sit, and I tried to put trash bags under the blanket I brought so our butts wouldn't get wet, but that didn't work (we just kept sliding down the hill). So, we just sat on the blanket and we did get a bit moist. Mizzou blew Western Illinois away. The final score was 69-0. We left after the 3rd quarter (right after I fed Clara in the First Aid station) to try to beat the rush of people leaving the game, but there were A LOT of people that had that same idea.

It was a great day! Family, friends and fun!! And, Clara stole a lot of hearts in her tiger suit. Here are some pictures of the little cutie (and more):