Weekend Recap: Sister Time & Cardinals

I'm so bad about these weekend recaps.  But last weekend just can't not get a post.  It was one of the best I've had in a long while.  Why you ask?  Simple.
Family.

My sister and (almost/practically/pretty much) my brother-in-law came in town.  They live in Enterprise, Alabama where Kyle has been going through flight training with the Army at Ft. Rucker to fly the apache.  (yes, my sister and I are both with helicopter pilots.  Didn't you hear it was the cool thing to do? No?  Well it is.)
Anyway, they live in Alabama.  When we lived in Pensacola, it was only a two hour drive to each other.  It was great.  We saw each other often and life was great!  It made this military life and the homesickness much more manageable with my sister so close.
And it wasn't just my sister and I who benefited from this.  Nick and Kyle have quite the bromance going on.  They love when we get together because Leah and I go shopping, or craft or do our girly thing while they geek out in Call of Duty, staying up consuming Mountain Dew and Doritos until 5am.
Even the dogs benefited from the proximity.  Leah and Kyle have their own two fur babies, Zoey and Rogue.  These two happen to be Yadi and Vino's BFFFEAE (that's "best friends for f***ing ever and ever).  Yadi and Vino don't mind other dogs, but they don't buddy up, wrestle, etc with other dogs.  They're much like they're father; it takes a lot of quality time to warm up to people...or dogs in this case.  But with Rogue and Zoey?  They wrestle and play together every second they're awake.  It has been far too long since we've all been together.  I'm sure it was July.  Which is FAR too long (we humans have seen each other, but it was July that the 8 of us were together.)

But this weekend, we were all reunited.  Kyle is graduating and getting his wings in early April and then they'll be moving to Ft. Riley, Kansas (which makes me a very sad panda).  They haven't seen our house yet, or visited Jacksonville, so they decided to come visit us...one last time.

So what did we do?  Only the thing Nick and I were most excited about when we found out we were moving here....CARDINAL BASEBALL!!!
The St. Louis Cardinals spring training is in Jupiter, Florida.  And this weekend they were playing in Orlando (well, Kissimmee) in the Astros spring training stadium. So we headed down the afternoon.  And it.was.awesome!!!!!  It was packed with Cardinal fans.  I'd say 90% Cardinal fans, 10% Astro fans.

Nachos and beer just taste better at a ballpark.  

 Leah and Kyle practiced wedding poses between innings.

 Wacha Wacha Wacha!!!  Amazing pitcher!!!

I'm pretty proud of these shots below.  Not because the quality, but because that first picture is the pitch coming in and the second picture is the ball going out, after the hit....that went well over the wall for a homerun.

It was so awesome getting to see Wacha pitch.  WACHA WACHA WACHA!

That is Adron Chambers batting for the Astros.  I really loved him last year when he played for us.  We had NO idea he was no longer with us until they announced him at this game!


How freaking cool is this cane?!  Nick and I have decided if we ever need a cane when we become elder, THIS will be the one we get!!!

 And that's a winner!!!!  

Matt Adams, who hit a bomb out of the park while we were there.  He stopped by us after the game to give autographs.  I was so freaking close to him that I could have rubbed that stubble!

The rest of the weekend was normal.  You know, dying our hair...

The pups playing...

Taking Leah and Kyle on a quick tour around base...

Going out to eat (Poe's Tavern), being goofy, and video games...

And game night with friends...(we taught them our favorite, Hand and Foot)

Leah and I also did some bridesmaid dress shopping.  I don't have pictures of that because she took them all.  But we found one we love as do the other bridesmaids (we were texting pics).  I really, really wanted Leah to try on wedding gowns.  It was killing me to be in a bridal store and not have her in them. But she hasn't tried any dresses on yet.  She's waiting for her first experience to be with Mom and Grandma, rightfully so.  Sadly, this means I won't be there and it really upsets me.  These are things that make this lifestyle hard; missing out on important moments.  But at least I got this experience with her.  Gotta keep finding those positives!


And then they were gone.  Way too soon.  Hopefully we'll see them at Kyle's graduation.  Fingers crossed.  The weekend was short but sweet.  Oh so sweet.  Gosh dang, I just love family time!  Now excuse me while I go cry tears of missing my Little Leah and the rest of my family.

Roadtrip: Cardinals vs Braves

If you know me at all, then you know that my husband and I are die hard Cardinal fans.  Actually, we just love baseball in general.  One of the perks of this military life is traveling the country and getting to live all over.  We decided to take advantage of this perk in regards to baseball and added an item to our ‘Marriage Bucket List’ (we each have our own individual ones as well).  We want to visit as many Major League and Minor League stadiums as we possibly can, preferably when the home team plays the Cardinals or the Memphis Redbirds.

Living in Pensacola, we have the Blue Wahoos minor league team, but we‘ve yet to go to a game.  Nick getting his schedule only the night before makes it near impossible to plan things.  However, in just a week he will be finished flying and we’ll have a few weeks to complete our ‘Pensacola Bucket List’ which includes attending a Blue Wahoos game.

Pensacola obviously doesn’t have a Major League team but Atlanta is only a 5-6 hour drive from us so we knew we’d be visiting Turner Field.  We got lucky enough that the Braves were playing the Cardinals over a weekend so we planned to attend this series.  We had to hold off on buying tickets until the week of the game because with Nick’s flight training, everything is up in the air.  Once we knew his schedule, we were good to buy tickets.  Our original plan was to attend both Saturday and Sunday games but they changed Sunday’s game to a night game (7:05pm start time) which meant we couldn’t attend.  We were a little bummed but seeing one game was definitely going to be better than seeing no game!

Saturday morning at 5am we headed to Ft. Rucker, Alabama with the pups.  We dropped them off with my sister and Kyle and then continued on our way to Atlanta.  We wanted to get there a few hours before game time to walk around the stadium and explore a bit. 

We had a really great time at the game!!!  Their stadium is really nice and the Braves fans were great.  I was shocked at how many Cardinals fans were in attendance.  I am not joking when I say half of the stadium appeared to be in Cardinals attire.  Our fans are just amazing!!!!  What’s even more awesome is that a “Let’s go Braves” chant was started and within two chants, “Let’s go Cardinals” was ringing throughout the stadium so much louder than the Braves fans!  (Just another reason we’ve been dubbed the best fans in baseball! ;) )

The game itself was pretty freaking boring and we lost which didn’t help, but despite those two things, we had a great time!  This was my first Cardinals game in another team’s stadium…heck! It was my first major league game outside of Busch Stadium and it didn’t disappoint!  We had great seats just a few rows up in third base line/left field corner by the foul pole and we got to see a lot of our favorites before the game and in the bullpen.

Sexy Waino (Wainwright for you non-STL fans)

A few people (Atlanta natives) had warned me that Braves fans can be rude and disrespectful but we didn’t experience any of that!  Everyone was so nice and welcoming and there wasn’t any rudeness or disrespect.  After the game, one Braves fan made a comment to me about losing the game (in a joking manner).  I refrained from reminding him that (at that time) we were the best team in baseball.  And that we’ve upset their beloved Braves in 2011 and 2012.  Instead, I just smiled and reminded him we still have long way to go until October.  But again, this was all in good fun! 

{{Please excuse this rant:  My only complaint would be that they tend to make fun of their fans a lot.  They have two different “games” (for lack of better words) that they put on their jumbo screens.  One is an “Oblivion Cam” where they zero in on someone (usually a larger person shoving their face full of food) and start a timer to see how long it takes them to notice they’re on screen.  The other is a look-a-like game.  They post a photo of someone/something (Snooky, Jabba da hut, Mama June (Honey Boo Boo’s mom), Duck Dynasty members, etc (basically, all unattractive people) and find someone in the stands who resembles them.  I’m sure this is meant to be in good fun, but to me, it was cruel.  Maybe it’s because I don’t find humor in cutting other people down and I’m a big advocate for ending bullying.  And that’s exactly what this is.  How do you know that person you just zeroed in on isn’t already suffering from severe depression or self-loathing?  By putting them on the screen, publicly making fun of them to THOUSANDS of people, you just set them back in healing or recovery from their issues.  Again, I’m sure the Braves staff think this is humorous but I think it’s just downright mean.   But then again, our society thinks cutting down others is amusing and a great form of entertainment.  Which is really sad.  But I’m just not the type of person who likes to sit around and gossip or make fun of others.  But this was my ONLY complaint and it obviously didn’t ruin my time so it’s not a huge deal.  It’s just something I’d wish they’d do away with.  Until we as adults stop things like this, bullying in children won’t stop.  They’re learning from us.  But I’ll get off my soapbox now.}}

The Cardinals/Braves game was definitely a great experience!!!  I'm happy to put the check mark next to Turner Field!  And excited to explore more stadiums!  I'm so happy to have a husband who shares this same love of baseball with me.  These adventures together are going to create a great scrapbook!

Die Hard Cardinal Fans

What an amazing start to the weekend!!!!!

If you personally know Nick or I, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you know my husband and I are huge die hard Cardinal fans.

Die hard misplaced Cardinal fans.  Being a military family, we have to support our boys and cheer for them from afar.  Alone.  No one in Florida cares about baseball.  Well, at least no one in the Pensacola area.

If you are even remotely interested in baseball, then you might remember how remarkable the Cardinals were in the 2011 season.  We were 10 games back, came back to get the Wildcard in the post season, then continued to win the NLDS, then the NLCS to go on to the World Series against the Rangers.
Game 6 was deemed as the best game in baseball.  We were down in the 9th inning, 2 outs, last strike.  And we came back to win the game and keep us in the race to send us to Game 7 where we won the World Series.  It was said last year, the Cardinals just don't quit.

And we've proved that again this year.

I've had a lot of non-Cardinal fans tell me when we lost Pujols after last season that our team would be nothing.  Just goes to show they do not know a thing about the Cardinals.  The Cardinals are a TEAM!  Pujols was out a lot of last season with an injury and we still did well.  We are not a team who rely on one player.  We knew without Pujols we'd still be a great team.  This season proved that.  Look where the Cardinals are.  Look where the Angels are.  'Nough said.

This year was the first year for a playoff game for the Wildcard spot in the postseason.  We went up against the Braves and won, landing us in the post season.  (Which was also another super exciting game!)

Then it was time for the NLDS against the Nationals.  It was their first season in the playoffs.  Being a very new team, they've finally managed to earn some respect.  They definitely provided to be a tough competition.

Nick and I were able to watch every single game, thank goodness.  Every game we were decked out in our Cardinals gear. (the exact same clothes, unwashed).  Then came Game 5 of the series....the last game.  The Nationals got a huge 6-0 lead early.  I quickly thought "They deserve the win.  The Cardinals clearly did not come here to win, let alone even play!"  But I never gave up hope we'd win.  At this point, I just knew we were NOT playing like the Cardinals I know and love.

But I forgot who I was talking about.  I forgot that the Cardinals are the team that just won't quit.

I decided to try to help the team out and I put on my rally cap.

We then started scoring some runs.  Nick put his on.  Beltran delivered with another run.

Then came the 9th inning.  We were tied 7-7.  Nick and I were not able to sit down.  We were on our feet, about to have a heart attack.  About to puke from nerves.  Screaming and yelling.  Jumping up and down.  Our hands beat red and in pain from so much clapping.  We had the sexy raspy voice thing going on from so much screaming.  Yadi was so confused as to why we kept chanting and yelling her name.  Vino didn't understand the excitement but wagged her tail along with the yelling.  We ended up scoring TWO runs with 2 outs, 2 strikes.  Un-be-lieveable.  We had done it again.  When everyone in that sold out stadium thought the game was over, the Cardinals for the second season in a row, have proved that we just don't give up.
Bottom of the 9th inning came.  We just had to hold on; keep them at 7 runs.  Nick and I were swaying and pacing with every pitch.  Yelling and high-fiving after every strike.  Every out.  And then....that final out!
I'm sure everyone was hearing the late Jack Buck screaming "Go crazy, folks!  GO CRAZY!"  ....and we sure did!  I'm sure our neighbors thought we were completely insane.  Had we lived in St. Louis, it wouldn't have been weird.  EVERYONE in St. Louis was screaming and yelling and fireworks were going off all over the city...at 11:30pm.  It's a baseball town and said to be the best fans in baseball.  I would have given ANYTHING to be home right then, celebrating with my city.  I was so jealous of the 100+ Facebook statuses and tweets I was reading about all the celebrating going on around St. Louis.

Instead, we decided to celebrate at home, "with" the Cardinals.

We watched the interviews, and while the Cardinals were getting their champagne ready in the locker room, we got ours ready.

We waited and toasted to the Cardinals.  When they popped their champagne and celebrated, we drank and celebrated with them =)

 Silly?  Maybe.  But I told you, we are die hard fans!!!!  If you are a sports fanatic, then you understand.


Now it's on to the NLCS to play the Giants...another team (and fans) I like and have a lot of respect for.  It will definitely be a great series considering they are also known this season for being a come from behind team.  But I'm fully confident we'll get ourselves to that World Series!!!!  And you better believe I am not washing my shirt and will be wearing it all series!!!  This is your warning to anyone that comes near me during baseball post season.  I do not promise to smell pleasant ;)

All I can say is 12 in '12 Baby!!!!  GO CARDS!!!!

I will leave you with two excerpts from journalist Bernie Miklasz's awesome article I read that perfectly describes these Cardinals.  These excerpts are some of the exact same things we've been hearing all across MLB Tonight, ESPN SportsCenter, etc.  It warms my little heart to know that others out there, all over the nation, not just St. Louis natives and Cardinal fans, recognize this great ball club.

"I don't think anything will ever top Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, but the fifth and deciding Game 5 of the NL division series was just as unlikely, just as insane, and easily scrambled the brain waves of ball fans from coast to coast.  Especially in St. Louis, the best baseball town in America.  A place where the fans and the team are one, united in their love of the game and their unique bond.  A place that never runs out of hope when it comes to the Birds on the Bat.  A place that knows that it's wise to never count the Cardinals out."

"St. Louis is a tough city that has the hardest, most determined, most resilient baseball team that you'll ever find.  There's simply no way to properly compliment the Cardinals on their competitive character, or the fullness of their hearts."