Tigers at the White House

We were lucky enough to score an invitation to the White House for LSU's recognition for winning the National Championship. Here are some of the pictures from the day.

Most of you know that we ended up on the front row. My only explanation is sheer dumb luck. We were wondering around looking for the entrance to the White House and happened to see a large group across the street. We decided to head toward the group. We were stopped on the way there because the team's buses had to unload. Come to find out the large group we saw was pushed across the street (see picture below). When the Secret Service guy holding us up let us go he made sure we got in front of the group. We were the first in line!

L.A. actually took this picture because of the guy in the bright purple jacket.
A view of the Washington Monument from inside the White House. The gardens were beautiful!
A view of the White House from our seats...did I mention we were on the front row! Right next to Mrs. Miles.
Beautiful Tulips!

Chillin'...on the front row...

The lady sitting next to Dad is Dydia DeLyser. She is a professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at LSU.

Our feet on the White House grass...

It's the boys!

Looking handsome...they clean up nice don't they!

George and Les
George making a joke about this being the first time Les has been seen in public without a hat.

Jacob presenting Bush with a gold LSU football.

Bush with his LSU jersey.

Herman meet Trindon. Trindon meet Herman. Our largest and smallest players.

This is me with Mrs. Miles and a new friend Betsy. We ran into her while trying to find the gate.

Craig Steltz #16 Safety. He's signing my hat.

Shawn Jordan #40 Full Back. He was a sweetie! And much cuter in person than his scary LSU roster picture! http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=174226&Q_SEASON=2007

It's me and Matt again. He's signing my hat. I didn't do so good taking this picture.

Marlon Favorite #99 Defensive Tackle. He was a really sweetie too!

He even posed with L.A. L.A. was feeling left out. He said he felt like my personal photographer...he hasn't figure that out yet. :-)

Ali Highsmith #7 Linebacker. L.A. asked me if Ali was playing with my hair. (He wasn't) We were laughing because I told him that I was more excited than on my wedding day. L.A. pretended to be upset. But he knew I was just joking...really I was.

Ricky Jean-Francois #90 Defensive End. Man this dude was huge! But not quite as big as...

Herman Johnson #79 Offensive Line. He is the largest baby ever born in La. 15 pounds!Demetrius Byrd # 2 Wide ReceiverJosh McManus #23 Wide Receiver. Showing off the rings.

Here is Dad up on the White House balcony. We're not sure exactly how he got up there. He kept motioning for me to come up. I started up the stairs and was stopped by a Marine Major who was supposed to keep the fans down in the grounds. He asked me if I was with the team. I said "no I was just going up to meet my dad". He looked up and motioned to Dad to ask if he knew me. Dad gave him the thumbs up and he said OK and let me up.These are our friends the Brigmans: Susan, Katie, Ella and Bill. He was one of our ROTC instructors at LSU.

It's time to say good bye. But I've got to tell you the funniest story of the day. Several people walked up to shake L.A.'s hand and congratulate him. A few even asked for his autograph! One of my coworkers said he should have been flattered that they thought he had the physique to be mistaken for a football player. My friend Robert said he should have signed them "Herman Johnson"...No he didn't sign any. We figure that he was the only young black guy there not with the team.

Here's the link for the White House Press Release. If you look real close at the front row on the left you can see us sitting there. I'm third from the middle aisle.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080407-11.html