Mason's 8th Bday

 Happy 8th birthday to my brown eyed, fun loving, witty, ornery, sport loving, outdoorsman, Mason!  Mase, you sure love to make everyone smile and you are so quick with your funny, witty responses.  You love to play, whether it's outside, sports, games, toys, nerfs, etc.  You hardly focus on one thing before you have moved onto the next fun thing to do!  You are the most loving, cuddly and big hearted 8 year old!  You always know when we need one of your special hugs!  You are definitely one with nature.  You could hunt, fish and tend to your garden all day long!  I love watching you "hunt" birds every morning while I'm making breakfast!  You are also one stud and humble athlete!  You constantly amaze us all on the baseball field and now you are also crushing it at quarterback on your football team!  You are one special kid!  Keep being you and you will continue to do amazing things!!!  And I have no doubt you will always keep me and dad on our toes!!

One of Mason's birthday wishes was to shoot a shot gun and it came true!  I think he is now hooked!  This will be a fun hobby for the boys to continue with Tyler over the years!

Another birthday wish was a dirt bike cake!  Mase must have been one good boy for all his wishes to come true!  He always has a long list of things he wants or wants to do!

Parks and Mase are the best of friends and this picture captured it all!

Mason's entire baseball team was able to make it to his bday party at Surge!  This is a special group of boys!

Cousin love!

What a fun weekend we had celebrating Mase!!! 

Clearwater Spring Break

What a great week we had in Clearwater, Florida for spring break 2022!!!  Beach, baseball, great food, fishing and most importantly some much needed family time!  We loved spring training so much in Scottsdale that we wanted to experience spring training in Florida!   Fortunately, the MLB ended a 99 day lockout just a few days before our arrival!   The players arrived at camp and practices started just in time for our trip!  Spring training games hadn't started yet but the practices were so fun and we were able to get be so close to all the action!  

We landed and headed straight to the Phillies spring training complex!  It was a chilly afternoon so it was perfect baseball watching weather!

Checked into the hotel and went straight to see the beach views!  Not too bad at all!

Then straight to the gym to work on their beach bodies :)

Cheers to a fun week ahead!  Vacations are the BEST!!!

Clearwater's Pier 60 is such a fun place with a nightly sunset festival including activities, performers, vendors and an amazing sunset!   The trampoline area was their favorite, and within minutes they all mastered the double flip!

The seagulls were super entertaining as well.  They were definitely used to nightly pictures!

The sunset definitely didn't disappoint!  

The next morning we headed straight to the beach for a morning of sand and sun!

In the afternoon we went on a guided inland fishing trip.  Our little fisherman, Mason, was in heaven!!

Wind blowing through our hair, a little spray of ocean water and cruising to our destination!  

We fished in 3-4 feet deep water for red fish and snook!  It was a little slow at first but when the fish started biting it was non-stop reeling! 

This was the first fish of the day and we thought it was big until we reeled in the others  . . .

Harps finally got in on the action and every time she cast her rod she caught a fish!

J's face shows exactly how heavy/big this fish was!

This fish was the winner of the day!  Crazy these big fish are hanging around in such shallow water!

Our morning walks on the beach, collecting shells, was a highlight of each day!  

The kids all requested to head back to Phillies spring training so off we went!  Successful day with all three ending up with a ball!

Seeing the pitchers warm up this close was super cool!

More fun at the pier!  These water slides were a blast!

The birds would drink water between each rider and then fly off as you slid down!  Made for some funny pictures!

Mason slid right on out of his swim trunks!

Jackson was a trooper and tried some of Tyler's oysters!

We all got in on the crab eating!

Harper started digging on our last morning and then everyone joined in!  Her little hole turned into an infinity pool beachside!

A round of family putt putt is a must at the beach!

Impromptu family pictures on the beach before dinner turned out so good!  Love this family of mine and love our adventures together!  With our crazy busy home life, a vacation is always good for our hearts and souls! 

Now back to reality and counting down until our next adventure together!