Atlanta Braves Weekend

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Dear Leah and Logan,

You're 8 and 7 years old, respectively 😀, and you just ran the bases at the Home of the Atlanta Braves- SunTrust Park.

First Ones in the Park

Let's back up...For Christmas we got everyone, by that I mean, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Justin, Uncle Mike, Aunt Daniela, and Uncle Caleb, a weekend getaway to Atlanta and an Atlanta Braves game in April 2019. 

The baseball game was Sunday at noon, so we had Saturday night to play around at the pool at the hotel.  An hour after we checked in, the Drury Inn had a Manager's reception for the ages, complete with nacho bar, hot dog bar, and salad bar.  Who doesn't like free food? 

18 inch Pizza Slices

Also that Saturday night was the 2019 Final Four, which featured Michigan State vs. Texas Tech.  The game didn't come on until 9pm, so our entire family took over the Drury Inn lobby. We were dressed in green and cheered our best, and the hotel night manager even brought out the popcorn machine in full force. Sadly, Sparty lost that night, but it was a relaxing, fun night for all. (And let's not forget your friend Gavin, Leah ...You 2 spent 3 hours together that night💗).

Atlanta Braves Family Trip, April 2019

On the Field, SunTrust Park

Sunday was game day.  We had 2 extra tickets, so Brad and Brady Tucker came down to enjoy the festivities. The 5 of us got there early to enjoy the stadium, but mostly to eat cotton candy.  Family got there later, and we enjoyed an exciting game that came down to the bottom of the 9th. I should also mention that we found a pizza place that served 18 inch slices.

Then, things got really exciting....after the game, the Braves invited all the children to run the bases on the field. The line was 5 stories (of ballpark stadium) long, but we patiently waited our turn. When we got to the bottom level, we were able to lift the boundary tape and sneak Grandpa on the field. Before you ran, we got to walk the perimeter of the playing field...I think Grandpa had the most fun!

The 2 of you got your moment in the spotlight as you ran 360 feet of bases in a major league ballpark.

Perfect family weekend, and I think we've found a niche of giving Christmas presents that are fun family getaways...time to start thinking about next year!

Love,
Daddy
April 2019

Navarre Beach Spring '19

Dear Leah and Logan,

Another Spring Break is in the books!

And with another trip to Navarre Beach, came a whole new set of adventures- including up close dolphins.

You 2, me, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Caleb, Amanda, & Dylan all piled into a condo on Saturday, March 23, 2019, and the beach fun began immediately.  Our condo provided us with 2 chairs, 15 ft from the ocean, so we were able to set up camp every day.

On Tuesday, I surprised everyone by renting a pontoon and we get to cruise the bay for the day. We swam and we fished, and found a deserted island to explore.  Logan caught a big catfish, too! But the excitement came on the path home when Leah spotted dolphins. We saw a family of 4 dolphins and they swam around our pontoon for 30 minutes. I had shrimp in a bucket for bait, so we were able to keep them around for a bit as they played.  We got the boat back late, but it was worth it.

Pontoon Crew

Kayaking with Uncle Caleb

On Wednesday, I thought I'd try something new for everyone and get a kayak...which turned out to be quite the adventure in the ocean. After a few failed launch attempts (in front of everyone at the beach) we eventually got the hang of it.  I'm pretty sure Uncle Caleb had the most fun because he wanted to paddle way past the Navarre Pier.

Last Day of Spring Break '19 

Leah, let's not forget that you got to catch up with Kinsley for your annual beach hangout.  Kinsley hung out with all day Sunday and joined us for a walk on the Navarre Pier where you 2 made friends with a grumpy old Pelican.

Promise me something- that when you're older, especially my age (41 as of today), you'll pencil in some beach trips with each other...and maybe invite your dad!

Always wear sunscreen!

Love,

Dad

Navarre Pier

Our New Pelican Friend

Logan's Big #7

Dear Leah and Logan,

March 2018---2 things happened.  Logan's first basketball season ended....and he turned the Big-Number 7.

First, I was super glad I got the opportunity to be your assistant coach for Coach Josh Ezell in your first season of basketball. Your entire team showed SO MUCH improvement over the course of 2 months, and I'm really proud of how much hustle you showed.

Now that we have a basketball hoop, we can practice in the drive way a lot more!

I started asking the question- where do you want to have your 7th birthday right after Christmas. We had a lot of choices, and you were struggling to choose one.  Then it happened. Brad and Brady Tucker invited us to a place called Urban Air.  I do believe as soon as we all walked in and looked around, we knew it would be the perfect place for a party.

In 10 seconds we saw that Urban Air made every other trampoline park look like an empty tennis court.

Happy 7th Birthday, Logan!

So we set it up- March 3, 2109, at Urban Air.

And all your friends loved it!

Aquaman and Super Heroes all around, every kid who attended commented how it was the best party they had ever been to!

You, Leah, Dylan, Aiden, Kyran, Olivia, Liam, Brady, Cooper, Parker, and Roman... you all did wipe-out, basketball, ropes course, climbing walls and more....but then it happened- the last major event was Dads vs Kids in trampoline dodgeball... like I said, best. party. ever.

You kids had the best night of sleep ever.


Then, on your birthday, you chose Blue Coast Burrito as your birthday dinner- go big!!


Happy 7th Birthday, kid! You drive me nuts sometimes, but I love ending my days either hearing your amazing reading or playing Xbox with you....you're way better at video games than I ever was!!

Love,

Dad
 

Roman vs Logan

Uncle Caleb and Uncle Mike

Christmas 2018

Dear Leah and Logan,

Wow...we survived another crazy, crazy month of non-stop Christmas activities.  But in 2018, we had a visitor come join the party.  On December 1 at 7:30 pm, there was a knock on the door- a delivery from the North Pole.

And there he was...with his own book and a mission to watch over you kids...all he needed was a name. So we each wrote down a name on a piece of paper, and we let him choose. So on December 2, 2019, we saw Ezra Elf stir up craziness every single day. In fact, every day you 2 and Dylan would wake up and the first task became- "Where is Ezra??!?!"

After that, our normal Christmas'ing was in full effect.  Your schools had plenty of events and days planned- including Pajama Day and Crazy socks day.  We did our Gingerbread houses except this year we found out that there were even more options to choose from.  We did Christmas cookies, and Jason and Amber and the twins came over to join the party.

We actually had big, big plans for the cookies, including your teachers and Grandma and Grandpa....but within 24 hours, Tinsley had a 20 minute window alone with just her and the kitchen, and poof! just like that, the cookies were gone!

Throw in some iceskating a party at the McCarty's house, and I'm not sure our month of Christmas couldn't have gone any more amazing!

Christmas Eve was spent and Grandma and Grandpas, which we'd later find out would be the last major holiday in the Spring Hill house. Your grandparents announced they had finally chosen a retirement house.  Uncle Justin was cooking as usual, but the highlight of the night may have been the fact that were ALL FOUND A ONESIE. It made for one of the greatest family photos ever.

Christmas Eve 2018- the night of the onesie

And before we knew it, Ezra wrote us a good-bye letter...then he gave you kids your final Christmas scores, and then he headed home to rest for the year.  That meant it was Christmas Day!

You all were spoiled as usually, but I think your favorite gifts were as follows: Leah- your trampoline (it made you cry) and your magic set. Logan- your new bike and your hoverboard. This was also the Christmas Dylan got the crazy-fast 4-wheeler.

The day was perfect, and I hope one day you're able to create perfect Christmases with your own children...and maybe and 'their' Grandpa over for cookies!!

I will include all the Ezra pictures below....plus a video I made so you can remember 2018!!

Love,

Daddy