Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Friday January 6th DeAnn and I left Elba headed to Biloxi and the beautiful Beau Rivage.  We were doing a little advance party work as the rest of the crew wasn't arriving until Sunday.  Most of you have heard that DeAnn past her PE exam so we intended on celebrating that as well.

Saturday morning after DeAnn got up we hit the gym as I am involved in a weight loss bet with Dad.  After the gym, D went to the spa for a massage as I went to play a little video poker and watch the playoff games.  When DeAnn got back we kicked around and then went to get ready for dinner.  I knew this was gonna be the hardest part of the trip as far as my weight was concerned.

We had reservations at 7 in the Hard Rock at Ruth's Chris.  This restaurant is DeAnn's absolute favorite.  The location in Biloxi is almost as good as Destin so she was pretty pumped.  We split the lobster bisque,  but they threw her a curve when the scallop special was discussed.  Normally the crab cakes are her go to entree, however the waiter talked her into the scallops.  I had the bone in ribeye and we had a side of spinach and the best sweet potato casserole ever.  The Saints were playing the Lions so the atmosphere was awesome.  It was a great meal and and great time.

Sunday morning we hit the gym again because I needed to work off some beef.  After the gym we packed up DeAnn and waited for the "Bama Bunch" to arrive.  Once the caravan arrived and got checked in it was time for a little playing.  Jerry, and Uncle John and I had a series of video poker tournaments that resulted in mounting losses for me.  We watched more playoff games and started discussing our visit to the crescent city.

As I woke up Monday I really started getting amped up for the game.  I had stayed pretty chill though out the weekend, but now I was starting to get excited.  We left the Beau at 10 and headed toward Poydras.  Once we got to New Orleans I had to swap my tickets.  We had a photo op with the whole group and started walking.  We wanted to go to The Rusty Nail which was off the beaten path to say the least.  About halfway there Uncle John, Aunt Jenny, and John bailed and headed towards Bourbon.  Reese and I were determined to have a yellowhammer as Gallette's had moved the bar south.  We made it and congregated with the Bama contingent as we had overtaken the place.  The yellowhammers were as good as I wanted them to be.  After we left the Nail we headed back towards Canal to meet up with the others.  They were at a restaurant across from the Marriott where the team was staying.  We all chilled there until around 5 when it was time to head to "The Dome".

When we got a block away it got very crowded as the gates had not opened.  We got to the top off the ramp and saw that not only had the gates not opened they were searching everyone in separate lines.  Once the gates opened it didn't take long to get in.  Once in Mom and I bid adieu to everyone and went to search for our seats.  We were under the first deck and had closed circuit TV's right in front of us.

I will not go in to detail about the game as everyone knows how it turned out.  All I will say is I was very well behaved as we were sitting in the LSU section.  I did however strike up "Rammer Jammer" before the band could.  The walk to the car was heavenly.  The ride back to Biloxi was certainly fun-filled.


I will end this post saying I do not have to tell all of you how lucky I am, but I can now say I have seen Alabama win a National Championship sitting with both of my parents.


Thanks for reading.  Oh yea, Rolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Tideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End...

I hope it's ok with my sweet brother that I basically just high-jacked his blog!  I just wanted everyone on here to know that I recently posted pics on my blog from the National Championship Game.  I had a blast during my 30th year and although I didn't complete all the items on my list it was more about just getting started than completing it!
http://www.reeses30in30.blogspot.com/

So I am ending my blog but will still post pics on here for you guys from time-to-time when needed! 

Reese!

God Bless Mike Kelley

For those of you that are not from Elba, a good friend of our family passed away a couple of days ago.  Dad and Mike worked together in the insurance business in the early 80's until Dad returned to banking.  I grew hearing stories about Dad, Mike and uncle Larry.  I never really knew him until he moved back and started working in Troy and Creative Services. 

Everyone knows how much I loved working at CS and what the people up there mean to me.  Well as I would stop by I would see Mike and just enjoyed his personality and wit.  After DeAnn and I moved back to Elba I saw him more often and grew to have the utmost respect for him.

He was diagnosed with cancer last year and put up a great fight for as long as he could.  We saw him a couple weeks ago and he was still in good spirits and still laughed.  Leaving that night was tough because I knew it wouldn't be long.

So long big guy, I'll see you again one day.

Neil

Gonna Hang Aunt Jenny!!!

Hey Folks,

I know it has been a while and I promise I will catch this thing up soon.  However, I need to tell you guys that we have a big few days ahead of us.  Eight of us are leaving this weekend for New Orleans to attend The Championship Game.  We are staying in Biloxi, but will head to New Orleans on Monday morning.  I am pretty excited to say the least.  I promise I will give a full recap and catch you guys up on are last few weeks.

RTR and Fins Up,
Jr