Labor Day Weekend - Part 2

On Sunday, we headed out to the ballpark to catch the Astros game. The 'Stros were playing the Phillies and it was a beautiful day outside!

We got to the park early so we could get in when the doors opened and see about watching some practice. With any luck, maybe we could get some autographs!

We were able to get down next to the field to watch some of the guys warm up. Ethan waved to them and even got one of the trainers to throw him a practice ball - his first official MLB baseball!

And as part of the grand ballpark tradition, we indulged in some baseball junk food - popcorn, soda, and hot dogs!

Getting Jack Taschner to sign the official ball. He didn't pitch on Sunday because he had pitched for Saturday's game.

Jill went to high school with Ryan Howard, the first baseman of the Phillies, so she waited for over an hour to see him and get him to sign a ball for Ethan. It's a long story as to how she actually got to see him and get his autograph, so call if you want to hear it! The important thing is he remembered Jill, so she did get Ethan's ball signed.

Ryan headed in to the dugout, but pausing to say hello to Jill and sign the ball. It was so loud with fans yelling his name and throwing balls at him (he wasn't looking at them, but they still threw them) that it wasn't much of a "visit." Oh well, it was still fun to see an old friend.

P.S.-the below photo is not zoomed-in at all!

We bought an Astros' banner for E's room and Uncle Keith bought him a wooden bat with matching ball, so he walked away with some great souvenirs.

The below balls are a game used ball (from a bat boy's mom that knew the Englishes and she's part of that long story mentioned above), the ball signed by Taschner, and the ball signed by Howard.

We had so much fun at Mintue Maid and Ethan is already asking to go back to another game.