Hello my Friend!

Haaaaappy Neeeeew Yeeeeear!!!  Today was the Outback Bowl here in Tampa and it was gorgeous out.  Upper 70s.  We didn’t go this year, but have gone to FOUR in the past…..only when they matter to us though haha.  I thought I’d take you down memory lane of the past Outback Bowls that we’ve been to.

Most recently was in 2011 for Gators-Penn State.  This was perfect, since the boys are obviously rooting for the Gators and Ellen went to Penn State, so of course we were making this game happen.

I got us leis….

CW got us wristbands.  Wonder-twin powers…..activate!

The family that plays together-stays together.

That’s not very hard for us.  We have so much fun together.  Ellen and I go to Gainsville to support the boys…these trips were back in the day!

I even went to the “Gator Club” here…

In 2009 we went to the bowl game because the Hawks were in it.  Yee-haw!  It was Iowa vs. South Carolina and Jeff and Ellen were good sports and donned Iowa gear for me.

I had Hawkeye gear for all…

The boys thought they were in the band…

We had actually gone back to Iowa City in 2008 for a second wedding reception with all of my family (since we got married in the mountains and not everyone was able to make it).  It just so happened that Iowa was playing Penn State the weekend we were there.  CW’s whole family flew there with us, including his Ma.  Ah…miss her.  CW got these amazing Hawkeye striped overalls.  What a trooper.  We saved them and ended up wearing them for that 2009 Outback Bowl.

In front of the Old Capitol.

E&J cheering for Penn State…

Steichen and Jason came in from Chicago.  It was COLD, but a blast.

I love any reason for a stocking hat.

The very first Outback Bowl we went to after I moved here, Iowa was in it (those Hawk fans LOVE to travel for Bowls–especially to Florida).  It was Gators vs. Iowa in 2004 (we won) and again in 2006 (they won), so we were appropriately wearing our own teams for each game.  This was before I had a digital camera, so I only have this pic–that I took a pic from a framed picture—from 2006.  I’ll have to dig up the 2004 ones.  I remember there was a sign that said Gators ths way –> and Hawkeyes this way  <– and we took a photo by it.

I’ve been pretty lucky that the Hawks (and Gators) have been in so many Outback Bowl games here.  That’s pretty awesome if you think about it.  Wishing you the best in 2013 my friends!