Go Colts!

Last summer I heard about a free Colts mini camp at Lucas Oil Stadium--about a week after the fact.  I was so bummed that we missed out on it that I took note to make sure we did not miss it again this year.

  

So the other day I was wasting time perusing a blog and happened upon the date for the mini camp this year.  I mean, hello--FREE entrance to the stadium and a chance to see a Colts practice??  Sorry kiddos.  This is probably more for mom and dad.  Actually, maybe it is an opportunity for the boys to catch the "football bug."  It is a well-known fact in our house that Ryan loves football and the boys (mostly Jack) do not (mainly because it takes away Ryan's attention on a Sunday afternoon).  Ryan dreams of the day that he can sit down with the boys and watch a game.  I say it will probably be his girls, not his boys, who share his interest.

 

Anyway...

 

We got to the stadium around 3:15 and were super excited to be greeted immediately upon arrival with an invitation to eat free Blue Bell ice cream.  Who doesn't love that?  We found some great seats where we could sit, eat, and watch all the fun activities (bounce houses, games, etc.) on the field.  After finishing our treat we planned to go onto the field ourselves, but they closed it right when we were done so they could get things set up for practice.  Bummer!

 

We watched an NFL film about last year's Colts season (we moved to the 50 yard line just before it started--gotta sit in the best seats if you can!)  The kids even did a good job sitting still and watching it.

 

The best part of the day was after the movie.  The players came out to sign autographs, and everyone formed a line to wait for the players.  The boys and Ryan had grabbed FREE Colts posters on the way in and took them down to get them signed.  After awhile it appeared our efforts to get autographs would be in vain as the attendant wouldn't let our section line up along the wall where the players were signing.  Finally, someone took pity on our group and let Ryan, the kids, and the others in the line go up against the wall.  And who should come over but ANDREW LUCK, the quarterback!  Ryan and the boys were all excited to get his autograph (he signed three posters) and get his picture. 

 

After they came back to the seats (I'd stayed back with a sleeping Elizabeth) we watched a little bit of the practice before deciding we'd been there long enough.  We packed up our stuff and headed back home, posters in hand with great memories of our time there. 

 

I'm not sure the boys will be any more enthusiastic about football in the fall, but I guess we'll see.  We can always hope!

We had to park a little bit away from the stadium so Ryan wore Caroline.  Here is the front of the stadium.

sitting in our awesome seats at the 50 yd. line

Andrew Luck!

part of the practice

 

even Elizabeth enjoyed the festivities!

The red shirt is Andrew Luck.  They had different squads out there running plays at different times.

There was a big dune buggy-type thing the kids climbed into and pretended to drive.  Grant looks pretty serious about his driving.

I just think Caroline looks pretty sweet here.  By this point, though, she was being a bit mischievous.  It had been a long afternoon of sitting.

 

We had a really fun time, and I would love to go again next year to get a chance to actually get onto the field.  I love the Colts!