Spring Fever for Spring Training

What to parents of 5 boys do for a cure from a boring, rainy spring break in Oregon? Fly across the country to Florida to visit family and watch as much Spring Training baseball as possible.

Our starting lineup - at the Portland airport all geared up for a fun trip ahead

Our veteran and our rookie

We arrived in Tampa late at night to hugs, kisses and this amazing welcome basket full of clubhouse collectables.

The boys found piles of toys to open the next morning - it was like Christmas in March!

Tampa Bay Rays lose to the Philadelphia Phillys
Spring Training Game #1

Cade and Ty talk to Colina as he autographys their baseball

Showing off their autographs and enjoying the Florida sunshine

Grandma Debbie and her first-round draft pick

Trying out the zoom on Evan Longoria - Bart accuses me of checking him out! Three days later, he was a triple short of hitting for the cycle and made a diving catch in foul territory right in front of us!

Eat your heart out Phillies...actually they did eat their hearts out of these ballcap-ice cream bowls

NY Yankees beat the Washington Nationals

Spring Training Game #2

A future Yankee looks on at his new favorite team

Grandpa John chills with the boys before opening pitch

When grandparents are around, the spoiling never stops and neither do the ballpark snacks. They ate their weight in hotdogs, cotton candy, and peanuts.

It was an all-star studded lineup for the Yankee team - Jeter and A-Rod, but no Kate Hudson or Madonna sightings.

We even got to see closer Mariano Rivera finish the game.

Not sure about the peace signs, but VERY sure he had a good time!

Luke made sure to get in his sleep - even in the folded position - and managed to pull down Grandmas nearby china collection.

Busch Gardens

Spring break isn't complete without a trip to the amusement park - and this amazing park is full of amusement!

Bart and Cade ascend up the steep climb of the Gwazi roller-coaster

The first pink thing you'll find our boys admiring - flamingos

Cade and Ty and Cole (a rookie to rides) join Bart on the log plume ride
Down they go!

Cole's shrieking is still ringing in our ears. Bo was glad at this point that he'd chosen to stay out of the fun and just watch.

The favorite part of the day - the tree top trials in Jungala.

I zoomed in on this bunch of monkeys way up there

Luke enjoyed watching all the animals and excitement as well as the back of his eyelids - He was a real trooper throughout the day and we were able to stay longer than we ever imagined we would.

Cade takes Cole for a flight that's more this 2yr old's style of ride

But then it's on to another roller-coaster.

This time the little boys watch while Cade and Mandy experience the sting of the Scorpion.

Cole catches a nap inbetween animals and attractions

Luke soaking his tired feet

While Bart and Grandpa took the 3 oldest boys to a third Tampa Bay game I stayed back to help my amazingly talented mother and sister-in-laws prepare wedding flowers for a job the next day. Well, I "helped" watch kids at least and did a lot of watching and learning

The week flew by and it was time to get geared up the to fly home.

Luke plays on the flight toys at the Tampa airport before take-off...if only this cute smile could last for a cross-country flight.

A bunch of baseball, a little relaxing and whole lot of fun add up to one excellent spring break for this team!