Take me out to the ballgame!

After finding out that my uncle, Ryan, had some swappable tickets for the Memphis Redbirds (minor league team for the Cardinals), I immediately went to the website to see if they'd have a date around the 4th since they usually make it a fireworks show. Lo and behold, there was a game on the 3rd, and it was a Saturday, so I buzzed him and asked if he'd mind going. (Nothing like inviting yourself and your rugrats, right?) The kids love to spend time with him and their "aunt" Bridgette, so the plans got started. My mom, Sandra, me, Chris, the kids, Ryan, and Bridgette all had a date for a baseball game, complete with fireworks, for the 3rd.

I suggested we eat before we hit the stadium, so we met up at Huey's Hamburgers for some good grub. We then hit the mall and Maggie Moo's for some ice cream before heading out into the heat. Once done, we walked on over to Autozone Park.

They were giving out fireworks glasses to the first 4,000 fans, so we managed to snag a few pairs and then went into the gift shop where Bridgette got the kids some foam fingers, after which they got them autographed by the 2 ballplayers in the courtyard.

It was HOT!!!!!! But thankfully, Uncle Ryan got us clubhouse seats and the concourse was air conditioned and there were nice, clean bathrooms. It was such a fun evening!!!

The kids, to my surprise, actually watch a little bit of the game (while distracting anyone else there who actually WANTED to watch the game, haha), but they had fun. I love watching baseball, despite the fact that my household really isn't a sports-filled abode. We're artsy-fartsy folks, not sporty folks. But I have such fun memories of going to ballgames with my grandparents, so it was a joy to take the kids.

Grammy brought peanuts, and I brought facepaint. We clapped along and yelled "CHARGE!!!" and did all the hokey baseball game things we're supposed to do. I had a really great time.

We were losing until the 9th inning, 6 to 3. We were down 3, bottom of the 9th. We brought in 4 runs to win the game!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha!! It was AWESOME!

After the game, they shut off the field lights and brought out the tarps and the big trailer of fireworks. From our comfy seats just off of right field, we watched a really cool fireworks display.

FUN FUN FUN!!!! The kids CRASHED when they got home. Actually, Bryce was asleep before we got home, but then fell asleep pretty quickly. They both slept in pretty late, Bryce going until 10am.


(It was a veggie burger, obviously, haha!)




Chris situated them incorrectly on purpose, goofy Daddy!


Waiting on his grilled cheese sammich!


Apple doesn't fall far from the tree...


Aunt Bridgette and the kids get autographs!!!




This guy was fried, unfortunately. But his little unharmed body was sitting in our seating area. Isn't he cool?




Grammy!!! I can't remember what they were doing here, but I think a song had come on, and they were acting silly... Maybe the 'Cha-Cha Slide'?


Painting redbirds on their cheeks...




I took them down to get a closer look. This is where we stood for the National Anthem.


Rocky the Redbird!




Memaw!!!!!!!


Lovin' on Uncle Ryan -- you can actually see both kids' arms here. So sweet...




THIS is where they were planted for quite a while...








As you can see, he's quite interested... in the ballgame.


For the WIN at the bottom of the 9th inning!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*YAY!!*







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And just a little something Chris and I noticed...



If you seriously can't go to a beautiful ball stadium and enjoy your family's presence and enjoy it without updating your Facebook page, playing a stupid crossword puzzle, or standing there shaking your stupid phone like you're rolling a slot machine, there's something seriously wrong with you.

Maybe I just don't understand the "digital umbilical cord syndrome" where people can't sit and have normal outings without being so dependent on their phones and that nonstop connection. TURN THE PHONE OFF once in a while!!!!!!!