Baseball Trip to Texas

As soon as the 2011 major league baseball schedule came out, Rob started planning this trip so that he could see the Mets play (his favorite team!!). Rob's baseball team had a tournament this season, but his coach said he was fine with him going. His exact words "that is just to important to him to miss!". I used it as leverage for good behavior, so that was a bonus as well!!

When it came time to go, there were enough other things going on that just Rob and I went.

We left Thursday around 11 to drive to Texas so we got there in time to watch the draft with Noah. We were all anxious to see where Jimmer would go and were happy that he went in the top 10 even though we would have liked to see him go to the Jazz.

Rob thinks that baseball games start when the gates open. On this trip, I realized that Lance was the one who taught him that lovely bit of info. Myrna and I took the 3 boys to the Friday night game and dropped them off. Lance met them at the park once he got off work. There are no pictures from this game because I wasn't there. Rob was excited that Mike Pelfrey (a home town Wichita boy) was pitching and thought the Mets were going to win. He was extremely disappointed that they lost and that night when he got back from the game he was really quiet.

Myrna and I went to Ikea and Cheesecake Factory while the boys were at the game. It was my 1st trip to an Ikea. I am NOT a shopper and later I realized that we spent 3 hours at Ikea. I love organizational stuff so I really loved it! I got some collapsible net baskets to use as laundry baskets - got that idea from Sallie when I was in Utah. I also got a magnetic strip and some containers to hang some frequently used spices in my kitchen and a few other random things. I bought a package of finger puppets that Marissa was making fun of. She couldn't understand why I would buy those when my youngest child is almost 7. However, the kids got them out of the package and were playing a game where they tried to snatch the finger puppets from each other's fingers. Marissa was the leader and they had a GREAT time!! I felt like I had all ready got my $5 worth for those finger puppets.

On Saturday, I took the boys to the game. Originally, Noah wasn't going to be able to go because he had a baseball tournament. He got done early and was able to go, but because of that we ended up having 2 seats together and 2 other single seats. I dropped the boys off 2 hours early at the park and then I went and got lunch and then parked and went and bought my ticket. I sat by myself behind home plate, very high up and took pictures while I watched the game. Luke and Noah sat on the first row on the upper deck on the 1st base line. Rob was supposed to sit on the 3rd base side on the upper deck, but he ended up sitting on the lower level out on the left field line. He said he just walked around and found a place to sit where there were some other Mets fans. Texas' best pitcher was pitching so Rob assumed the Mets were going to lose.

The scoreboard with the starting lineups. Jose Reyes bats leadoff for the Mets and he is currently Rob's favorite player on the Mets.
Jose Reyes taks a warm up swing. He got a hit in his first at bat and the Mets lead 3-0 at the end of the 1st inning. Things were all ready looking good!
Jon Niese, the Mets starting pitcher. My pictures have a little bit to be desired, since I'm taking them from very high up. However, I love that I got the ball in this picture.
I was glad the Mets were winning, but I was also glad the Rangers hit some home runs - they hit 3! It is always fun to watch the home run celebration when the home team hits a home run. Fireworks would shoot off and then these little girls would run across the grass with Texas flags! The Mets ended up winning the game 14-5 so Rob was a bit happier than the day before.
Noah, Rob & Luke after the game. Noah is holding the bat that Mitch Moreland gave him -- pretty neat!! Rob also got a foul ball during the game.
I met the boys at the 1st base gate because it was closest to the car. This is a picture of the stadium from the car and it was not zoomed in. We were parked super close - that's what happens when you park almost 2 hours before game time!! The night before Lance had parked far away - he was pretty much parked at Six Flags! The boys really liked where I parked!

We went to church in Texas the next morning and then drove home. We had a great time hanging with friends and seeing baseball.

While we were in Texas, Mark went on a camping overnighter Friday night to prepare for Philmont. Marissa was a huge help getting the girls where they needed to be and going to Maddie's games. Maddie's softball team had their final tournament. They were undefeated all season, but ended up getting 2nd. Their last game went 8 innings. They usually are about 3 innings. It was very hot outside so it was a very long and hot game.