February

 February is a short but busy month with holidays, birthdays, vacation, sports and fun.

Chip and wine pairing class

Dad's at the Bourbon, BBQ and Beer festival

Moms at a Daytime Rave

Avery (11 years, 6 months) - After a winter weather delay, Avery had her final Sound of Music performance. She also wrapped up her basketball season. She and dad continued their tradition of seeing Harry Potter with the Atlanta Symphony, catching Deathly Hallows part 2 this year.

GT Baseball opening day

Parker (14 years, 3 months) - Parker celebrated the end of wrestling season with the annual banquet where the team all received t shirts to commemorate their championship season and Parker got a plaque to celebrate his wins. He started spring practice for baseball and is running track at school. 

Proud of his catch - still fishing when he can

Carter (15 years, 9 months) - Carter wrapped up wrestling season earning a Varsity letter, Mat Mentor award and recognized for the state All-Academic team. Carter ended up as the state alternate coming out of sectionals but he went to cheer on the team for the weekend supporting 3 of his teammates as State Champions. He started baseball season and is focusing on finishing the school year strong.

Volunteering at a Blaze wheelchair basketball practice

Siblings - We celebrated mom's birthday and family Valentine's day at Amore e Amore with a festive dinner.

Costa Rica "Work" Trip

In late April, Dad was offered an opportunity that was about impossible to say no to.  A four night trip Costa Rica to a sport fishing tournament.  So, Dad and two co-workers met up at the airport with representatives from a manufacturer and headed off to the Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica on the Pacific coast.

 

First day in Costa Rica included a full 6 hour ATV tour of the jungle!  Including riding on mountain roads, back area trails and stopping at a number of scenic locations.

Colin, Dan, and Jon from McKenney's with our hosts Mike, Dan and Dalton

Lunch stop at a beautiful open air mountain top restaurant

While the ATV trip was amazing, what we were all really there for was a two-day sport fishing tournament called Buds and Suds.  The tournament was for catching sailfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), and tuna.  Our boat was the Satis Fly (the Fly boats are all purpose built fishing boats based at the resort's marina).

Both days started with an early boarding on the boat by 6:15am and then a shotgun start at 7:00am.  All lines had to be out of the water by 3:00pm (unless a fish was on the hook prior) and no boats could be back and docked later than 5:00pm or their day did not count.

The shotgun start was a ton of fun both days, our boat had two 1,000hp diesel engines and we were quickly one of the lead boats out of the harbor and on our way to the fishing areas.

As all but one of our hosts had never been before and had never caught a sailfish, that was what we focused on for the two days.  Over the two days Dad caught one dorado and three sail fish (sail fish in Costa Rica are catch and release by law).

One of the sail fish really put up a fight. Every time the leader was close to getting to the boat, the fish would get a wind and dive away.  After about 25min Dad was able to pull it in to get the points (to get points you cannot hand the rod off for help) with a tired arm and back that was about to give out!

The whole trip was a first class experience and one that will not be matched.  Costa Rica was a beautiful country with the friendliest people and a place we look forward to visiting again soon!

All those whose first sail fish was caught in the tournament

Loco Beach Coconuts vs Indianapolis Clowns Game

 Avery and Dad's resting before the big game between the new Banana Ball teams, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns, was rudely interrupted by a very loud fire alarm.  Housekeeping was quick to say it was a false alarm and to stay in our room.  Yet, when the alarms didn't stop for about 3-4 minutes, Dad took another look into the hallway only to be greeted by a fully dressed and slightly stressed out looking fireman!  Turns out it wasn't a false alarm, 4 floors above us a AC unit was really on fire in one of the  corner rooms of the hotel.  We quickly grabbed our stuff and walked outside at the fireman's directive to see multiple fire trucks already onsite and hoses being connected to all available hydrants.  Not knowing how long it would be till the all clear was given and knowing we had the few things we needed, we went walking to the stadium about a 1/2 mile down the road.

If you go to Banana Ball games, its a good idea to show up early, the pre-party started 3 hours before the game and at no time were Dad nor Avery not entertained.

Hanging with Peter Colada and Coco

Like the kickoff event the night prior, the Coconuts players were first to the plaza and again were out to meet fans, sign autographs, and just play around and have fun with the crowd.

Avery giving her John Hancock to Blake Benson!

One new addition (literally announce to the team the week prior) was the addition of Mo'ne Davis.  Avery did not know who she was, but Dad instantly remembered her and her name... and its all Avery's fault!  Mo'ne Davis was best known for being a fireball throwing 12 year old pitcher during the 2014 Little League World Series.  In fact, she threw a complete game shut out on August 15, 2014 (when Avery was only 5-days old) while Dad and Avery watched on the couch.

Mo'ne and the Holdens

As the plaza party continued, Avery and Dad went to a special side entrance area where a smaller group was as we had BBB (Banana Ball Backstage) tickets.  This gave early access into the stadium with a special on field access where all the players from both teams came out for an even more intimate and fun experience.  Avery had made a few gifts from fusion beads, one for each team that she gave to a player on each.

Dalton getting the Ukulele 

Avery giving the Clowns Shoes to Coach Fox and Kobe Robinson

In addition to the fusion beads, Avery also made a special necklace for Malachi Mitchell, a.k.a. Flash the Kid.  Malachi was very grateful to receive and add to his collection and immediately put it on and gave Avery a big thank you hug.

Dad was concerned the necklace was a bit to tight and thought Malachi was just being nice putting it on, but then Avery was watching the Clowns next games a week later, and there on the top of his collection was the maroon necklace Avery made still on his neck!

After a big group photo on the infield with all the BBB participants and players, it was back off the field to get some food and drinks and get ready for the game to come.

Part of the BBB experience includes a potential "golden ticket" experience.  You don't know if you got one or what it is, just a ticket with a time and place to meet.  Ours ended up being a 15 minute time period where we invited into the Clowns dugout just before the game!

While the dugout was very cool, our seats weren't too bad either, row 1 right off home plate!

Look! We're Famous!!!

The game was a lot of fun, the Coconuts have a great theme that works well with the crowd and the Clowns do a great job leaning into the history of their team name.  Being at a smaller park than an MLB stadium or a large football stadium that is seen more on TV or social media also has a bonus in that everything seems more accessible and relatable and just a fun overall experience.  Not to mention they play pretty good baseball as well

Unfortunately we did have to head home, but not before stopping at the Dunkin Donuts that had a Banana Ball player experience (luckily on our way home).

Inside Dunkin, Chris Burgess and Fisher Polydoroff from the Clowns and Blake Benson and Will Ethridge from the Coconuts meeting with their fans.

We got some Dunkin swag and some food to go and headed back to the ATL after a quick and successful trip!