Brewers Baseball and Skydiving Sensations!!!

On Sat. we travelled to Milwaukee, WI to meet my parents and my brother for our annual baseball game. This year, the baseball game was obviously seeing the Brewers play. The kids did a really great job in the van on the way over. We left around 9:30 on Sat. morning and arrived at our hotel around 3:30 after making a few stops on the way to walk a trail at a rest stop, eat lunch, and play at a park. The kids, as always, were super excited about staying in a hotel, but a little bummed that we never did get to use their pool!

By 5:15 we were sitting at Miller Park and thinking about getting our traditional hot dogs for the kiddos. They had the top down on the stadium and it was a really nice night. Aiden and Kiera loved playing around our seats and taking everything in. One of the coolest things that happens at Miller Park is when the Brewers hit a homerun. Bernie the Brewer slides down a huge yellow slide from pretty much the top of the stadium, and then grabs a flag and starts waving it as fireworks go off in the sky. The kids thought that was pretty fun to watch and we were lucky enough that Bernie made the slide down 3 times while we were there! One time to start off the game and 2 times for homeruns.

Josh, Kiera, and Aiden standing under the Miller Park arch as we walked to the stadium.

Mom, Dad, and Mark in the top row. Josh, Aiden, and Kiera below. Waiting for the game to begin.

A picture of the stadium before the game started.

Beautiful, silly girl. Check out those fly shades!

Our funny boy, playing with the poster they were handing out to kids as we came inside.

Kiera got tired of her hot dog bun and discarded it quite quickly. She enjoys the hot dog more without the bun.

Josh teaching Aiden the ins and outs of baseball. Look at that studious look on his face!

Kiera and I watching the game. We may look really grumpy, but we really were not grumpy at all. I was a little uncomfortable, and I think Kiera was irritated that she couldn't get comfortable on my very small lap. Too much baby in the way. But we were enjoying ourselves! :)

Mark was excited about the homerun that was hit. He is trying to show a very serious Aiden where Bernie is as he rockets down the slide.

The other homerun experience. Aiden knew where to look this time, so was pretty darn excited too! And he really enjoyed being on Mark's shoulders.

Cheering the Brewers on!

Gorging on cotton candy. He had the ultimate sugar high after eating a ton.

Even enjoying the sticky fingers from the cotton candy.

On Sunday, we were able to have a nice breakfast at our hotel before heading over to the skydiving facility. Yes, skydiving. The males in my family, meaning my Dad, (65 years old by the way), my brother Mark, and my husband decided to try out their jumping legs 12,000 feet up in the air with nothing but a flimsy piece of nylon to help get them safely to the ground. I should mention that they did the jump tandem, meaning they were attached to an experienced instructor throughout the jump.

The guys needed to be there at 10:00 am for filling out papers and their very important training, so we decided that we would all go and hang out until jump time. The instruction consisted of a quick couple minute explanation as they sat on the couches in the "hangar". I would actually describe it more as a big tin shed that you would find on a farm. Then each of the guys got a quickie explanation of what was going to happen and what they should do from the instructor that would be flying through the air with them.

Each of them got geared up in their ultra cool skydiving suits and then we all waited around until about 11:30 when they were finally ready to take off. I will be perfectly honest in saying I wasn't real hip on Josh taking the plunge as I waited nervously on the ground 35 weeks pregnant. I will honestly say that I had thoughts about what I would do with 3 kids all by myself. However, as they all walked to the plane, I really didn't have time to be nervous or scared. I was too busy comforting Kiera, who decided to freak out as her Daddy walked away. Not because she really understood what was going on and was scared for her Daddy, but because the last time Daddy went in an airplane he went to Arizona and left for a couple of days. Now that my little princess understands! And let's just say that she really didn't appreciate her beloved Daddy leaving her for those couple of days.

After the plane took off, we went and stood by yet another lovely tin shed since the guys would be landing in the field next to it. Again, I didn't have time to be nervous or scared as I was too busy keeping track of the kids and making sure they stayed in the rocks next to the shed. Supposedly, it would be very dangerous for anyone to be out in the field. The divers are attracted to moving objects and could possibly land on anything moving around.

It all happened really quickly too. The guys were able to free fall for about 55 seconds before they opened the chutes, and we didn't see anyone until the chutes were open. Once you see them floating so gently through the air, getting closer to safe and solid ground, it isn't so scary, just exciting and fun to watch. Aiden and Kiera had a blast watching them all land.

It ended up being a really fun experience for Mark and Josh. They both would LOVE to do it again. Dad said never again, but at least he had the experience and has a fun story to tell! :) Even though it was fun to watch, I told Josh he can cross it off his bucket list and be done with dangerous, life threatening adventures for a little while! :)

Aiden hanging out in the field while Daddy, Mark, and Grandpa get ready.

Goofy little princess racing around.

Here it is....da plane, da plane!!!

Aiden watching intently as Josh gets his training from his instructor.

The three guys...Mark, Dad, and Josh. They are suited up and minutes away from walking to the plane.

Getting one last hug from Daddy before boarding.

This is the freak out hug. It wasn't because Kiera was scared for her Daddy. What she understood was that the last time her beloved Daddy went in a plane, he left for Arizona for couple days, a fact that princess Kiera was none to happy about. Josh actually had to run back across the field to try to settle her down and give her the one last hug she was demanding as huge crocodile tears ran down her face.

Waving bye as we all watch him depart.

Dad walking to the plane with his instructor.

Here is Dad, floating down.

Dad making his landing. He was a little pale after he landed. He got a little motion sickness as they floated down.

Mark floating his way down.

Here is Josh on his way down.

Josh has landed safely on the ground!

The kids were so excited to see Josh after he landed, even though he was only gone about 15 minutes. They greeted him with big hugs.

Dad, Mark, and Josh after the big jump! They all made it!

Walking back to the hangar after the jump.

Aiden and Josh walking back to the hangar together hand in hand.