Braves Sweep the Cubs

We attended the Braves game this afternoon for their last game against the Chicago Cubs. While we have attended games at Turner Field the last two summers, we have never attended a game this early into the season (the season opener was on April 1st). I had purchased our tickets using a deal site, Goldstar, and we got $16 tickets for Club Level. A great price fro great seats!

Abigail was super excited to go to the baseball game because I had told her she could have popcorn. She even tried to refuse breakfast before church too, she wanted to save room for the popcorn.

Not long into the game, Abigail stated "I see someone has a silly face on!". I looked around and saw this extravagant Braves fan with his face fully painted in red and white, with Indian headdress AND a Napa flag (not sure where the flag plays into the #1 Braves fan attempt, but okay.). As always, Abigail is very observant!

After Abigail had enough popcorn, her and I headed off to search the Club Level for a foam tomahawk. She thought the giant foam finger was cool but wouldn't let me take her picture with it. The tomahawk seemed to be most helpful to shield Abigail's sensitive ears from all the cheering when the Braves got on base or an RBI.

When we were searching for the tomahawk Abigail described to me "the thing with the white stuff on top". Her little memory always amazes me! This little girl remembered us splitting a funnel cake from our last Braves game back in June 2012. Abigail then spotted a guy selling bags of cotton candy, she wanted that too. I had to explain she had to choose a funnel cake or cotton candy. Thank goodness she decided on the cotton candy because I could not have resisted a few bites of funnel cake. Abigail was sweet enough to share some with her daddy instead.

One of the perks to this Sunday afternoon is kids can run the bases after the game. Abigail ended up running out of steam during the bottom of the 7th inning. She snuggled with me, saying she just wanted to rest but soon enough she was passed out! Even though today was my rest day, I carried all 30lbs of her through the stadium and almost to the car. ;)

After the game Matt dropped me off at our church so I could drive the Jetta and pick up Brewer on the way home. Our sweet friends had Brewer over for a puppy playdate so we didn't have to leave him in the crate for 6+ hours today. He must have played lots and lots with Maxine, because all he's done since coming home is snooze! Both Matt and I agree we need to let him have playdates more often, he's so much sweeter when he doesn't want to take all his crazy, puppy energy out on us!

When I arrived home, Matt showed me the last picture he took of Abigail. She rode with him in the Clubman while I went to get Brewer. From the picture, you can decide from yourself, is she completely terrified or does she love riding in daddy's new car!?!

Overall, it was a great day! Matt was extra happy because the Braves swept the Cubs in this series. We look forward to attending a few more games this summer!

QUESTIONS:
-Do you follow baseball? Do you ever attend games?
-What is your "favorite" baseball team, if you have one?

The Mini Cooper Clubman

Back in February, I accidentally killed Matt's Montero towards the end of February. Matt got the Montero after graduating from Auburn, he's had it for 10.5yrs and it had over 200,000mi. The Montero served us well and while it's been a great vehicle, the fix was going to be way too expensive. 

Matt started researching vehicles and on March 9th we went to Carmax to see a variety of vehicles in the least amount of time. He was mostly looking at smaller SUVs, thinking he would get the Jetta and I would get the "new to us" vehicle. I wasn't completely sold, we don't really have a need for an SUV. The Jetta is big enough for our little family and there is plenty of trunk space. I also wasn't ready to sacrifice a few MPGs just to have a SUV. An SUV would only make sense if we upgraded to something with a third row, which isn't a current *need* for us right now.

I am not a car person, that is all Matt. I would much rather do lots of other unpleasant things (like clean toilets or get cavities filled) before choosing to look at cars. Abigail and I started to walk aimlessly through the car lot when we stumbled upon a couple Fiats and Minis. I was really surprised to see the low price (compared to the SUVs) and the high MPGs. Abigail kept wanting to climb into every car so we decided to look at The Mini Clubman, the longer/extended Mini. While the backseat isn't super roomy compared to an SUV, it seemed big enough for Abigail's carseat. We decided to take it for a test drive WITH Abigail's Britax. I sat in the back with Abigail and didn't feel cramped next to the Britax. We left Carmax with a completely different mindset than when we arrived. 

What I could not see at Carmax was "internal Matt", he must have been jumping up and down like a little kid on his birthday. As my mother commented on Facebook, "...and the sleeping giant awoke with [my] suggestion." Over the next two weeks, Matt started researching this vehicle in depth. He learned all about the different types of Mini, there's a "justa" and a sport version (maybe more but that's all I remember). Matt "liked" a few Atlanta Mini Clubs on Facebook and was searching for this car through the Carmax website. 

Matt found a 2011 Mini Clubman at a Carmax in Kentucky, it only had 4300mi and it was priced around $19000. If you find a vehicle within a 250mi radius, Carmax would ship it to your location free of charge. Outside of the 250mi, it was $200 which still keeps this car priced right. Matt made the call and the waiting game began. He was very anxious for for the car to arrive.

The next two weeks seemed to drag on forever to me as Matt researched and learned more about the little world of Mini owners. Turns out owners wave at each other and name their Mini's. The local Atlanta club has an annual Easter Scavenger Hunt. Matt found another event near Pigeon Forge, TN called MINIs on the Dragon where people go to drive curvy roads together. Then Matt stumbled up an event he knew I would really approve, Mickey & Mini! I have no idea what this event really is, but anything at Disney is a win in my book!

On Friday night, Matt got the call that his car had arrived. We basically dropped everything to go see the much anticipated vehicle. Carmax was going to be closing soon so we knew there wasn't time for all the paperwork. Matt inspected the vehicle and took it for a test drive; he approved. He snapped this picture and posted it to Facebook saying "Hello there, Mini! Yes, I had you sent down from Kentucky. And yes you're coming home with me tomorrow." 

We returned in the morning and Carmax processed the Montero as a trade in. Like I mentioned before, the Montero had a good run...and had all the dings, dents and scratches to prove it. We didn't get much for the vehicle but we were able to transfer the Auburn tag to the MINI. Two long hours later (again, I'm not a car person), we were driving off the lot in the MINI and my husband could not have been happier.

Matt's post to Facebook, "Brought the new Mini home today. Hugs the road tightly, and that 6-speed is a blast." I'm not sure if he posted this before or after I started to get carsick while riding. My tummy is not used to manual transmission driving, but less time looking at my iPhone helped a lot.

It wasn't until the following morning, when it was finally Abigail's turn to take her first ride. She was thrilled! Next to the full size passenger door, there's a cute Abigail door for easier access to the backseat. She really loves Matt's new car and even suggested a few times that mommy should drive it and daddy take Nano's car (which was on temporary loan from my dad after the Montero died).

So now the only thing left is to give Matt's new MINI a name (yes, I eyeroll every time). Matt originally suggested "CamBo" which was also name thrown out for Brewer, I declined with both. Matt's nickname has been CRASH since college and his new business is CB CREATIVE. He loves Auburn (hence the CamBo creation from Cam Newton & Bo Jackson). The MINI still needs a name!

QUESTIONS:

-Do you name your vehicles? If so, what type of car do you have and what's it's name?

-Can you give us a suggestion or two to throw in to the naming pot for our new nameless Mini?