Panthers Fan Fest

At the beginning of the summer, we made a list of a few activities we hoped to do during our time here at home.  We've made it through almost all of them. Andrew's only addition to the list was a trip to Charlotte for the Carolina Panthers Fan Fest.  We had never been, but were excited to try it out. We had fun! It was a little on the warm side, but I would totally do it again.

We got a few autographs.

And found that having a cute 5-year-old girl holding

out the football to be signed helps. A LOT.

 We were glad that they signed their names AND jersey numbers.

Because most of their names were illegible, so we could at least

look them up later.

They had little bouncy houses.

 Care Bear on the 50 yard line.

 The kids got to take a turn on the Panthers drum.

Keep pounding!

Then we got to go in the stadium and sit in the close seats.

Those expensive ones where I've never actually sat before.

Cool. I liked the view from there.

 The boys got to go down on the field.

And Andrew got to attempt a field goal.

We were treated to performances by the team dancers,

(not pictured due to scantily clad nature of dancers)  :)

 Sir Purr,

(who Andrew believes may be the worst mascot in the NFL)

and the PurrCussion crew.

(They were good!)

Then they had an open practice where we could

watch the Panthers in action.

 Including Cam doing the airplane as he entered

the stadium to the roaring cheers of the crowd.

We watched practice for a few minutes.

Then this rosy-cheeked girl was ready to get out of the heat.

And so were the rest of us.

 Oh, wait!

I forgot one of the most exciting parts of the day.

(At least for me.)

I caught a Panthers t-shirt!

Finally, all my years of softball practice paid off.  :)

The Falcons fan in me cringes when I see that picture,

but I will admit that turquoise is a nice color.

Cool way to spend the afternoon.

And we all caught a little football fever.

The fantasy draft is right around the corner.

And Drew can't wait to get cable again.