Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Her first game

Last night we took Annabelle to her first Florida Basketball game. Devin's Daddy has some season tickets, so we try to go to a few games every season....

This year, I wanted to go to one of the first "small" games of the season so that we could take Annabelle and get her picture with Albert the Alligator. Since he walks around the crowd during the basketball games, he's pretty easy to get to... at least I thought...

It was an exhibition game against St. Leo, which happens to be the small private college that I graduated from! St. Leo worked out great for me and I'd recommend them to anyone, but I'm still a Gator fan! So no, I didn't wear green or cheer for the lions last night! Ha...
We parked and rode the shuttle to the O'Connell Center. This was Annabelle's first bus ride, and last night they were running the big RTS buses, but also a few Alachua county school buses. The school bus was our shuttle.
She was excited to be riding without being in a car seat! We wouldn't let her touch anything though... ewwww the germs.....I can't even think about it!

We got to our seats right at tip-off and AB was looking around trying to figure it all out. It's really loud in those seats and I was a little worried that it was going to scare her. When the gators made their first basket and everyone cheered she got a little scared, but after that she was fine.
She just tried to figure it all out and when the band would play something she'd dance and when anyone would clap, she would, too!
This is during a time-out. She was laid back taking it all in. Then, she saw Albert across the gym floor. She sat straight up, and started smiling and pointing at him! I was so excited that she saw him and that she wasn't scared. I just knew we'd get some great pictures....
Our plan was to watch the game until half time and then find Albert.
We didn't think it would be hard because he'd been around our side all night... then right before half time he went in the locker rooms. We walked around during the half and thought he'd come back out afterward. When the second half started, he was no where to be found. We decided we'd give him until 8:30, and then go if he hadn't come back. Right before 8:30, he had come out and was headed up the stairs to the main level! We jumped up and made our way to him...

Albert sat on the floor so that Annabelle could sit in his lap.

She wasn't sure about him. I think she thought he was a little more intimidating close up than he was across the gym floor! I guess those teeth ARE kind of scary!
DW picked her up after that, and she liked Albert much better when her Daddy was holding her. She pet him and waved goodbye...
And the reason we took her to the game.... DRUMROLL.....This is the best shot we got...
I was a little disappointed since it's not very good, but it does make me laugh---(poor baby, she looks SO scared, but like she's trying to be happy... she's so sweet), but at least we've got one! Maybe the next time we see Albert we'll get a better pic!
After that we headed home.
AB did so good at the game, like she does everywhere...
and while it will still be a long time before we take her to another one, a first is a first and any first is a big deal!
~amw~

11 comments:

The B Family said...

Too cute! Annabelle with Albert...those are definitely priceless pictures! I just love the little look on her face.
Oh my goodness gracious, she was the cutest little piggy!!! That costume is adorable! Such JOY!

Julianne Hendrickson said...

I think those are GREAT pictures--you are just like me...I would think the same way...HAVE to HAVE those pictures!

Stephanie said...

AWWWWW she is the CUTEST Gator Cheerleader!!!

Janie said...

OMG! I LOVE going to the basketball games! They are super exciting! I can tell by AB's face she thought so too! Love the pics! Good job Momma!

Whitney said...

She looks presh in her cheerleading outfit! Annabelle looks like she had a blast!

Katie said...

That's adorable! I love her excited faces!

Carrie said...

So so cute! She did better than Allie, who met the Trenton Tiger mascot the other day and freaked out! No Disney in our future anytime soon. Ha Ha

LuLu said...

Annie-she gets cuter with every picture you take!!! And that pig costume is so precious. Could eat her up:)

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I would have cried too... That is just adorable though. You got some wonderful photos! What a precious memory for you guys.

Jana said...

So Sweet! I miss Gator games!!!! And the pictures turned out great in my opinion.

Tamara Ann said...

I love the third picture of her with Albert! It looks like they're both checking each other out and not too sure whether they're going to laugh or scream! Precious!