Bowling.....

This past week, we headed to Shreveport, La for the Independence Bowl. We enjoyed having a few days off for the first part of our Christmas break from school, but I spent most of that time packing! 

It took lots of time getting the girls packed. We needed daytime outfits, event outfits, Christmas outfits and more. Packing for three kids is difficult in itself, but packing three girls and matching outfits, is just a whole different ball game. 

Our entire Tuesday was spent packing. Once I got the girls packed, DJ and I started packing. That evening, our power went out, and it was a late night trying to get everything ready to go. 

We had to be up at 4:45 last Wednesday, so we could get to the football stadium by 6:15. We woke the girls up at 5:30, and put them in the car in their pj's. 

We arrived at the stadium, loaded our suitcases, and then grabbed breakfast. 

These girls were pretty happy eating their breakfast on the bus. They were super excited for our trip!

I mean, they were full of so much energy!

The busses took us to the airport, and once we went through security, we were on the plane and ready to go. 

Addy and DJ had a whole side to themselves. 

A little over an hour later, we landed in Shreveport, and the humidity instantly hit us in the face. I knew it would be warmer than it was in Tulsa, but I wasn't fully prepared for the almost 80 degree temperatures. 

Once we got off the plane, we loaded the bus, and waited for the bags to be loaded. 

And then we made it to the hotel! 

I got the girls dressed, we grabbed some lunch, and then we headed up for naps. 

DJ spent the morning setting up the meeting rooms, and Adalyn and I slept while the big girls played in their rooms and played or read. 

When nap time was over, we played in the lobby and waited for DJ to get finished. 

The girls loved the teddy bear tree in the hotel lobby. 

Once DJ was finished, he went to get the car and the girls and I found gigantic leaves!

And, they climbed and played. 

Since our bowl game was over Christmas, we wanted to still make the holiday special for the girls. (I'll be sharing more about our Christmas a bit later this week.) So, we headed out to find a Christmas tree for our hotel room. 

Since Megan and Gretchen wouldn't nap during nap time, they both ended up falling asleep in the car while we went to the store to buy a tree! Gretchen napping, rarely happens, so it was pretty monumental- ha! 

We ended up getting a tree, driving by the high school that practice was going to be held, and then back to the hotel in time for the first night of bowl activities. 

Night one was a "Game Show" with the players from both teams participating. 

I'm proud to say that Tulsa won the night!

After the Game Show, we headed over to the Science Museum, for appetizers and drinks, and some exploring. 

The girls played in the water. 

And Gretchen was able to pet a baby alligator. 

We had a little time to explore the rest of the museum before calling it a night. 

Once we got back to the hotel, we took a few pictures before heading up to the room for bed. Gretchen and Megan wore matching red corduroy dresses with footballs, and Adalyn wore a red dress. I had been saving their football dresses for two year- since our last bowl appearance, and was thrilled that the girls could finally wear them! 

And, we had a quick family picture too. 

Day 1 was long, but full of anticipation!

Come back tomorrow to see our Christmas Eve bowl celebrations!