UT Family Weekend

Adam and I started our Fall Break early by taking off to Knoxville first thing Friday morning. It was Family Weekend at UT so we were ready to see Casey and be with the rest of our family! We packed the car, started a movie for the kids, and hit the road. They were both so excited to see Casey that at lunch, they somewhat fought over who got to sit on his lap. We timed it just right and as soon as Casey got out of class, we picked him up and ate on campus at The Southern Kitchen. We were so hungry and it was delicious! After lunch, he took us on a little hike at The Bluffs. It took maybe 15 minutes to get there and once we parked, we started walkin'. Even though it was a nice trail, it was SO hilly it would have been impossible to push the stroller so thankfully we didn't even try. The kids had fun walking, picking up sticks (Landon), and riding on Adam and Casey's shoulders. The up and down hike was totally worth it when we saw the view of Knoxille below us! Beautiful!

After a while, we hiked back to the car. Our next stop was to see Casey's dorm. He is an RA and is over 38 residents at Reese Hall. I had no idea but being an RA you get amazing perks! One of those perks is having your own room and bathroom. We chilled out in his room for a bit and then started walking around campus. The kids were tired by this point and we knew as soon as we put them in the stroller that they would be out. Landon didn't last 5 mintues, Adalyn followed closely behind him.

My uncle, aunt, and Autumn were due to be there soon so we found some shade and sat while the kids napped. Soon, they arrived. We continued our walk around campus and made our way into a book store to look at UT gear. It was so crowded but we still managed to throw a football and not break anything :)

Well, at least two people are looking at the camera. 

Two pretty girls!

We went back to Casey's dorm for a bit and then decided we were all hungry and agreed upon Mellow Mushroom. (Only the best pizza ever). So we walked there. I have no idea how many miles we walked by this point, but what's a few more? I also have no idea how Freshman put on the "Freshman 15" when all you do is WALK everywhere you go! It was great exercise and I have to be honest, today is Monday and my legs are still sore. ha! The weather could not have been any better. It was a perfect Fall day and evening. While waiting at Mellow Mushroom, we played with the kids up front so they could look at the all lights and decoration thay had in the lobby. They also had huge mushrooms everywhere and Landon kept saying, "Mushroom. No eat. Yuck." hahaha Our pizza came and we all chowed down! Walking makes me so hungry! Landon stuffed his face of pizza while all Adalyn wanted was our crust. Towards the end of our meal, my mom and dad finally arrived! The kids were so excited to see them. They had already eaten so we made the walk back to his dorm so they could check it out. 

It was dark by then but everything stays so lit up so we had another nice walk back to campus. It's never a straight walk, it's up and down hills. All while pushing a double stroller. (excellent workout!) Autumn took over the stoller once we left Mellow Mushroom and at one point going up a hill, Autumn was pushing the stroller, with help from Adalyn, and I was behind Autumn pushing her. :)

Out of breath but we made it!

Adalyn was so happy to see her Granddaddy

Still walking (and jumping!)

Dad wanted to check out this cannon

We hung around his dorm for a little while so my parents could check it out then we made our way to the hotel. Our suite was huge which was nice since we were rooming with my parents. We gave the kids a bath and Landon fell asleep after he drank his milk. Adalyn stayed up a bit with the rest of us while we were trying to figure out mom's iPad.

We had to get an early start Saturday morning since the game was at like 12:30 or so. Landon was the last one to wake up. We turned on Cat in the Hat, layed him down and he drank his milk. Adalyn cuddled right beside him. She was so excited he was awake.

We finished getting ready, went downstairs for breakfast, then made our way back to campus. Someone gave my dad a parking pass and since they were able to park for free, he gave it to us. It was right beside the stadium which was awesome. We got the kids in the stroller and started walking to Casey's fraternity house. He is in Alpha Gamma Rho. Smokey lives in their house so it was neat to get a tour of it. Casey looked so good all dressed for the game!

Family!

(For the record, Landon is the hardest kid to take a picture of)

We wanted to watch the Vol walk so on our journey back, the kids loved listening to all the music that was playing and looking at all of the people. I told Adam I felt weird for pushing our red and black stroller through a sea of orange and white. ha. 

The kids played in the inflatable football helmet, got a couple of footballs and Adalyn even met a cheerleader!

Her day was made!

They loved Smokey. We had to eventually walk Landon away from him because he was wanting him so bad. This makes me happy knowing no tears will be shed next summer when we head to Disney and meet all the characters! 

This little boy sure loved this foam finger.

After we played and walked around, we hit up the restrooms and then made our way to the truck. I think next year we will take the kids to the game but there would be no game watching if we took Landon this year. He would be going from person to person, chair to chair, and up and down steps. lol. Next year he will be 3 and hopefully will be just like his sister at 3, easy easy easy!

We had a great weekend with perfect Fall weather. We are so proud of Casey!