Landon's first UK basketball game

I had plans to take Landon to the basketball game last Tuesday night because it was not a really big time game and I thought it would be easy to get an extra ticket for Landon. If you didn't know, it doesn't matter what age someone is, everybody has to have a ticket in order to enter RUPP Arena in order to watch the Wildcats. When looking online I found some really good deals on tickets and it just so happened that my parents wanted to go see this team play at least once this season and it just so happened that they would be in town. So I called my brother to see if he wouldn't mind to watch Brinley while we went to the game and he said he would be happy to babysit. Then I saw that a friend of mine couldn't attend the game and was selling her tickets, so I asked Brinley if she wanted to go to another basketball game again and she said yes, so I got those tickets and informed McKinley that he was going to the game instead, which of course sounded great to him. This left us with 6 tickets and 7 people that wanted to go to the game. The decision was made that we could either try to scalp a ticket or just press our luck and see what they said when I brought him up to the gate in the baby carrier. We decided to head downtown early to grab dinner before the game and decided to go to Shakespeare & Co.

Dinner at Shakespeare & Co. before the game. Surprisingly Brinley wanted to sit in a high chair, which she hasn't done in over a year.

After dinner we headed over to the arena and I just asked one of the ticket scalpers what the going rate for just one ticket was. First offer was $40 and I said no thanks and just kept walking. He stopped me and offered me one for $20, but again I passed. He sent one of his friends to come talk with me on the other side of the street and I informed him of the situation and he offered me one for $10. I decided to press my luck to see what was going to happen, but I knew where to come if I got turned down at the gate. Upon walking in the door to Rupp, the man ringing the bell for the Salvation Army was waving a ticket and asking if anybody needed an extra ticket. I quickly approached him and said that I could use it and he just gave me the ticket. What a great start to the night!

Picture of us outside Rupp with most of my family.

My little man and I making the walk up to our seats.

I thought this was a pretty cool shot with the Kentucky banner being displayed over the eRUPPtion zone.

My parents sitting in their seats just a couple sections over from us. Can you spot Mr. and Mrs. Heflin?

McKinley and Brinley's seats were 4 rows down and closer to mid-court. I wasn't sure how well Brinley would act so we offered up McKinley's seats to the people that have season tickets next to us so that we could all sit together. Brinley enjoyed hanging out with her buddy, Uncle McKinley.

Family picture at the top of RUPP.

Brinley loves seeing all the cheerleaders and especially all the flags that they bring out.

Taking Landon wasn't quite as good of an experience as a few weeks ago when I took Brinley, but overall he was pretty good. He did best while in the baby carrier, but wasn't satisfied because he saw Brinley moving around and free. So, against my better judgement I let him out and then he wanted to go up and down the bleachers. He also chucked his sippy cup down a few times.

I am not sure when I will take him again, but I can't wait until he actually likes watching the Cats play.

After the game we again headed down to see Coach Cal give his post-game talk and I brought a ball to try and get signed for Landon. This is Coach signing Landon's ball.

Landon with his ball. He looks completely thrilled. It had been a really long day and he really didn't want to be cooped up in the baby carrier.

Family photo court-side. Maybe one day we can have seats down here.

Landon testing out the floor at Rupp. Maybe one day he will get to play on this court.

Last one of my mini-me.

Photo of every Heflin that was in attendance. 

As much as I enjoy going and watching the Cats play, they don't bring me anywhere close to as much joy as my children. I love Brinley and Landon so much and I enjoy being able to have them experience a lot of my favorite past times. I hope that one day I will have a couple of true Wildcat fans, even if it is just to make their old man happy. Thanks for reading and God Bless!