Wake Forest Weekend

Several months ago we planned our big trip to Wake (Karl's almamater) for Homecoming Weekend; Auntie Lisa, Auntie Heidi, Auntie Kris, Uncles Mike & Mike, Nana & Boompa were all going to meet up together in Winston-Salem, NC and have a big family weekend at the Homecoming game. Unfortunately plans got a little altered, as plans often do, and none of the Aunties and Uncles were able to make it, but wild horses couldn't have stopped Nana and Boompa from seeing little Ms. Hailey . . . after all the last time they got to see her was at Aunt Heidi and Uncle Mike's wedding in June when Hailey was only 2 months old.

So on Friday around 5pm Karl, Hailey and myself left Clarksville, TN and headed for Knoxville, our halfway point for the trip. Cali and Jersey were checked into their luxury boarding suite for their mini vacation! After our 4 hour trip we were happy to arrive at the Comfort Suites in Kodak, TN where Hailey got to take a big girl bath and we all tucked in for the night . . .

The next morning we continued our trip through the Great Smokey Mountains toward NC. The pictures don't do the scenery any justice, but I'll still share them . . . I thought all the colors would be gone, as it is the very end of fall foliage season, but due to an unusually warm fall we were really lucky and caught the last of the leaves for the season . . .


Hailey was again the perfect little passenger, with only a few fussy moments (usually when I was driving and Karl was left to do the entertaining) She's getting so big now that she peers around the sides of her seat to see what everyone else is up to!

FINALLY, around noon on Saturday we arrived at Wake. We met up with Nana and Boompa who were eagerly awaiting our arrival, and had a few hours before game time to walk about campus and grab a little food before heading over the the football stadium . . .

After sightseeing we all headed to the stadium for a little tailgating action and some football. Here are some of our favorite moments for Hailey's first football game . . .

Go Deacs . . .













Yup, that's it little girl, drool on mommy's head


Nana shared her program with Hailey . . .













Hailey got to meet Nick and Gretchen -- friends from Sigma Nu, ROTC and good ol' army life!















Once the sun went down it got pretty cold . . . and eventually Hailey had to surcomb to her tiredness (she was awake from 12-8 with no real napping!!)After watching Wake Forest dominate Virginia we headed out to dinner. The nap was short lived and Hailey was awake once again to enjoy some sweet potatoes, bread and other nibbles of dinner from everyone's plates.











Finally the day came to an end -- Hailey and I collapsed as soon as we arrived in our hotel room, and weren't even ready to move when morning came . . .










This morning we had brunch at the Filling Station before making our long trip back to Clarksville. We had originally planned on stopping half way, but were so ready for our own beds that we drove the full 8 hours home! Hailey was again a jewel in the car, there was some fussing, but considering the length of the trip and the time already accumulated in the car I was super proud of her! We had a great time seeing everyone at Wake, and especially with Nana and Boompa! No more roadtrips though, atleast not until our skiing vacation this Christmas!!!