Trip to meet Baby Will

We were so excited we were about to bust! Ever since last Tuesday when Will was born, Sutherlan asked every day if it was time to go see him. The 3 1/2 hour trip seemed more like 5 hours because she asked every ten minutes..Are we there yet?? We were so excited to meet our new nephew and cousin. We went to Birmingham on Sunday and came home on Monday. I have to say....He is ABSOLUTELY precious!!! I forget what it is like to hold a newborn. It sort of gives you "baby fever", but not quite enough to do it all over again. We can enjoy our nephew/cousin! I hate that we don't live closer because I know he is going to change so much in the next few weeks and months. Thank goodness Aunt B does a GREAT job at updating her blog!!! :) We look forward to seeing all the pictures that I know she will take. I think she said she was on picture 149 or so. Keep them coming!! We love you and miss you already!!!!

Baby Will

Brandon's sister gave birth to William Michael Vakakes on Tuesday, January 13 at 3:30 pm. He weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long. The kids are so excited to have a new baby cousin and we can't wait to see him!!! He is adorable!

Bittersweet Bowl Trip

Dylan and Brandon received a call a couple of weeks ago from Pops with some exciting news. Brandon's Aunt Kay and Uncle Perry had three tickets for them to travel to see Alabama play in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Trip=sweet. Final score=bitter.

The Tide just didn't come to play and were outplayed, outcoached, outscored...out-everythinged by the Utah Utes. However, Dylan had an awesome time. He was so excited in the days leading up to the trip. He kept getting on the Internet looking up pictures of the Superdome and it was pretty much all he could talk about. The night before the game he told Brandon that he didn't think he could go to sleep because he was so excited.



Brandon, Dylan and Pops left Friday at noon on Uncle Perry's private airplane and arrived in New Orleans about 5 hours before the game. They went down to the French Quarter and ate lunch at the Acme Oyster Bar before walking over to the stadium. When they got close and could begin getting glimpses of the roof, Dylan's excitement built. See, not only was he going to see Alabama play, but the Superdome is also the home to his favorite NFL team, the Saints.



Outside the stadium there was a lot going on, but they soon headed inside. Dylan was antsy to get a souvenir with some Christmas money he'd saved from EE. He wound up getting a t-shirt commemorating the game. Brandon and Dylan also went down to the edge of the stands to watch warm-ups. He got to see many of the players come out of the lockerroom and just thought that was the coolest. Their seats were great. They sat in the loge section in the corner of the Alabama end zone. Javier Arenas ran the punt return back for a TD right in front of them, which turned out to be about the only highlight for the home team.

After the game the guys headed back to the airport for the ride home. They got back to Birmingham about 2:30 am and Dylan was needless to say exhausted. All in all, though, it was a great memory that he won't soon forget. Thanks Aunt Kay, Uncle Perry and Pops!