About three weeks ago Rob and I had the opportunity to go to Dallas, Texas for the 2012 Cotton Bowl Game against Kansas State. I admit, at first I wasnt planning on going because first off, I wasn't even sure if they'd let me stay with or see Rob during the trip and second, because I just didnt have any "football friends" that I could hang with while I was there.. Lol. I know, I know.. I'm a lame-O. But after hearing about what a great experience it is from my sister-in-law I decided to just suck it up and go.. And I am SO GLAD I did :)
This trip was so insane I don't even know where to begin! Apparently before every bowl game, the football players participating in it leave a week early and have what they call a "Bowl Week" full of fun activities along with practice for the players. But the best part of the week was that everything was FREE and paid for.. I felt so relaxed and stress-free the entire trip and i looooved it. They even gave each player an iPad as the bowl gift along with pocket money for both him and I :)
[since I'm updating on the iPad, I haven't quite figured out yet how to post pictures on my blog. Lol so SORRY, but this post will be without pictures.. But I did upload lots of pics to my Facebook so you can check it out there]
Ive been to Dallas about twice before but during those times i was only there for a 3day volleyball tournament in which we would get in, play, then get out. So even though I was there I never really got to actually see Dallas. We arrived early Saturday afternoon and stayed in an amaaaaazing hotel... The Hilton Anatole. We were given bowl necklaces with our names on it that allowed us full access to the hospitality rooms that were located downstairs. Since I was a Players wife, they let me into the players lounge with Rob :) ...in these rooms they had unlimited snacks, games, computers for Internet access, flat screen tv's with couches, a basketball court and my fave... Tons and tons of ICE CREAM! Lol. I couldn't stop stuffing my face the entire trip. Rob was getting annoyed of me because I kept waking him up to walk downstairs with me and get ice cream.. Lol.
That night I went to a youth dance with some of my cousins who lived in Dallas. It was so nice getting to catch up and talk with them while I was down there.
Throughout the week, I did feel a little awkward at first because I was the only "wife" on the team, but I actually got to be with Rob a lot more than I thought I would get. He came with me to most of the activites and would even bring dinner up to our room just so we can eat together so I wouldn't feel awkward around all the guys :) I hope you all see why I love this man so much.. Lol.
I got to attend the welcome dinner at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the autograph pizza party and the Prime Rib dinner at Lawrys which was freaking AMAZING.. Everything was just too good to be true.
I think my favorite part about the trip was just being able to kickback in our hotel room and watch tv in sweats all day.. Well not all day, but most of the time. Crazy right? I mean dont think I'm completely nuts for going on a paid vacation and only wanting to stay in my hotel room but I just loved being able to relax and do absolutely NOTHING. Lol. Rob would always come up and tell me to go somewhere like the mall or something while he was at practice but I honestly just wanted to chill and wait for him.
Later during the week my in-laws were able to make it out to Dallas the day before the bowl game so we also got to spend some time together. Well, more of just my husbands two aunties and my mother in law because us girls went shopping while the guys did their own thing. Lol.
The day of the game was absolutely crazy.. Traffic was ridiculous but luckily we had one of Robs aunts there to drop us off. When we finally got our seats all I kept thinking to myself was, "I can't believe I was gonna miss out on all of this!"- I was going crazy snapping pictures of almost anything and everything.... Especially every time I saw my Robert Aona out there! Lol. Again, I apologize for having no pictures... But you get the idea. Lol. The Dallas Cowboys stadium was so HUGE & LOUD. Lol.
Afterwards, unfortunately I had a huge headache so I went straight to our hotel room and went to bed while everyone went out to eat with Rob :( BOO for migraines! But aside from that it was so much them having them there to share the experience with me :)
On our bus drive back home, Rob and I just talked about how awesome this trip was and how excited we are for next years bowl game! It definitely was a trip to remember and another memory added into our marriage life. So far, so good! Lol.
Till next time,
Nik