Utah Jazz vs Milwaukee Bucks

Last year Dash followed in his father's footsteps and became a big Duke basketball fan.  It was especially fun to watch the Blue Devils because their star player, Jabari Parker is a Mormon.  After Jabari went as the number 2 draft pick to Milwaukee, Dash became a big Bucks fan.  I didn't even know there was an NBA team in Milwaukee.  Of course, I know a lot of things now I didn't know before courtesy of Dash, such as the shoe size of the starting forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder (another new name for me).

For Christmas, Dash asked Santa for tickets to the Jazz/Bucks game in Salt Lake on February 28.  Santa came through and Dash (and Colt and Sport and Brandan) has been anxiously waiting for the big day to arrive.  There was a few moments of crushing disappointment, like when Jabari tore his acl in January and Brandan Knight, another start on the team, was traded to the Phoenix Suns on Feb 20.  Dash was a good sport though and still excited to make the most of opportunity.  The week of the big game, the boys spent their time crafting homemade jerseys to show support to their teams.  That's right, teams.  Colt rooted for the Jazz and Sport and Dash wore Bucks colors.

All the boys were up by 5 am on February 28th, the one Saturday Brandan had off since Christmas.  Even though the game didn't start until 7 that night, we could only hold the boys off until about 10:30.  Dash really needed a new pair of sneakers so Brandan volunteered to take on the chore of shoe shopping.  They stopped in Park City at the outlet mall and all three boys ended up with new shoes.  Dad's a pushover.

The guys killed time by wandering around Temple Square and McDonald's until about 5:30.  Brandan's friend tipped him off about going early enough to watch the teams warm up.  It was a great idea.  They made it in with the first 150 people and so they all four were given free Jazz ties and the boys were able to get three autographs!  Overall, the day was a huge success and the boys had a blast.  Thank you, Santa.

Watching the teams warm up.

The boys with Giannis Antetokounmpo "the greek freak" in the background.

Getting autographs.  The security guy in the green jacket took a special interest in the boys.  He pull them to the front of the lines and help them get their papers signed.

Autographs from OJ Mayo.

The view.

A lady sitting next to the guys thought they made such a cute group she asked if she could take their picture.  I think the homemade jerseys really put them over the top.