Washington DC, August 2008

We made a drive up to Washington DC (roughly 3 1/2 hours) for an overnight trip. We weren't sure when we'd live within driving distance of where the LA Dodgers (yes that's right the baseball team) plays so we figured we'd take advantage of it one last time. I love DC, I would really LOVE to live there one day. We drove up after Ian got off work...well when I say we I really mean I drove up which I don't mind. We really hit NO traffic on the way up, and our hotel was a 10 minute walk from the Stadium and our room itself had a view of the Capitol building (neat huh!?). No true fan misses batting practice...it's by far one of the best parts of going TO a game. We and this time when I saw WE I mean Ian are true fans. Last year when we went to a game in DC Isabella was lucky enough to get a baseball from one of the LA Dodger's pitchers. Ian has been to OVER 20 games and to this day has YET to get a baseball. It's something special. We're hanging out in the bleachers until our team is practicing, then Isabella and I move to the side. Mostly to get out of Ian's way so he can try and get a ball rather than protect our child from future brain damage due to a baseball hitting her in the head. We go by the pitchers and watch them warm up, meanwhile Isabella is SHOUTING, "I love the dodgers!!!" as loud as her lungs will let her. This catches the attention of one of the pitchers who proceeds to come over and give her a ball! I think, NO way! How lucky is this child to get another baseball at her second game. She's estactic and we just keep hanging out. Less than 10 minutes later Chan Ho Park (one of LA's pitchers, he's been around awhile) comes up and give her ANOTHER ball. She says Thank You and he goes about his business. We're just watching when the sign I made for Isabella blows onto the field and into a corner. The sign said "LA's BIGGEST little Fan" Isabella is so upset, and I think there is NO way we're getting our sign back. After Chan Ho Park is done stretching he kindly picks up our sign and reads it. It must have amused him because he giggled (yes giggled) he tells Isabella he'll only return the sign on one condition, she has to blow him a kiss. She looked at me cautiously like Mom? I just want my sign...she blows him a kiss and gets her sign back. She also got 3 autographs from different LA players. Overall it was a very eventful batting practice. Unfortunately the game itself wasn't as active after the 1st inning and Manny's homer. Oh well...So that is 2 balls and 3 autographs for Isabella and 0 for Ian. Here's some pictures from the game.