We're Baaaack!

In front of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown New York
The Hall of Fame full of bronze plaques of honorees like Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken, George Brett, and tomorrow Goose Gossage.

Hall of Famer George Shuba with Dayton

Goose Gossage patting Yogi Berra on the back, they were both signing autographs.
The Goose!
Dayton being called out on to the field during the Youth Hall of Fame ceremony.
Dayton with his Hall of Fame ring.

We just arrived late tonight and I cannot express how thankful I am to be home. We had a great time, the experience was something we will never forget. It poured rain for most of the time, we were miserable and had many rain delays. It finally cleared up yesterday and we were able to enjoy the area, closing ceremonies and fireworks. The 10 hour ride home was brutal but better than the trip out. For those of you wondering where we were, we were in Cooperstown New York, the birthplace of baseball. Each year 12 year olds from around the country are invited to attend a week long tournament, at the end of the tournament the boys are all inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. This happens every week for 13 weeks. Our week ended up being very special because it is the same week as the National Baseball Hall of Fame inducts its new honorees. So we were in town with many of the Hall of Famers. One of the highlights of our trip occured yesterday when we were able to get pictures of Yogi Berra and Goose Gossage. Goose is the only pro player being inducted this weekend. It was so cool! That little town got into my heart this week. I like baseball but this really made me fall in love with it. Cooperstown is adorable and we had a memorable time. Dayton played at a beautiful baseball facility in the mountains called the Cooperstown Dream Park. It is huge and family run. Each day we drove down our mountain to attend the games and then afterwards Dayton would go back with his team. It was kind of hard to not get to talk to him very much this week but the last few days he was able to stay with us so we could do some sightseeing. Their team didn't do too bad and actually won a few games. We beat the team from Hawaii the other day and their boys handed our boys necklaces that their mother's had made. It was very touching, our boys were exposed to so many different cultures and personalities this week.. Dayton said it best yesterday when he said he didn't want it to end. Our families and friends were able to watch a live web cam of a few of his games and that made it even more special. It was worth standing in the pouring rain, 5 hour rain delays, sleeping in a 2 room cabin on a mountain top, no tv for a week and living in a remote little town for a week.

It is getting late and I have more to post but I wanted to put up a few pictures at least tonight. Tomorrow is the Hall of Fame Inductions and Goose Gossage will be there so I thought it would be appropriate to honor both of our Hall of Famers!