Steamboat Springs, CO

 Baseball takes us a lot of places. We have pretty much surrendered to the fact that it will pretty much monopolize our family vacations for the next 7-10 years. That being said, we do visit many places that would normally not be on our 'To Visit' list. This summer our stop was Steamboat Springs, CO for the Triple Crown Little League World Series. This tournament consists of 40 of the best teams in the United States for the 11u age group. It is invitation and qualification only. It is an honor just to be there. We had to remember that mantra often as we went head to head with GIGANTIC teams from Texas. The old saying 'Everything's bigger in Texas' is completely true. My precious little 4'10" & 68 lb. kid could have disappeared into the shadows of their 6'4" 250 lb boys. No I'm not kidding. Ask anyone in the baseball world and they will confirm my statement. 

Grandma & Grandpa Rawlings managed to take some time and accompany us. It was so fun having them there. Here is us checking into our Hotel, the kids and Grandma riding on the luggage carrier.

We managed to sneak in tons of fun stuff while in Colorado. Some team functions ended up being fun too! We had a pizza party at the Hotel pool.

We participated in the Parade of Teams.

We did a lot of pin trading. A tradition at these functions. Each team has a pin designed (just like the olympics) and they spend their free time trying to trade and get everyone else's pins.

 
 And we grabbed a new team photo

We went tubing down the river with the team

We went hiking and swam in a waterfall

Nick & Jake Sliding down the rocks

Zac taking a dive

Group photo!

Fun with Grandma & Grandpa

We found an old fashioned soda shop

And we managed a few 'Adult' nights out

Dominique, me, Candice... Cowboy Bar

And we squeezed in a little shopping in the cutest of downtowns ever.

Silly hat & sunglasses store

But in the middle of it all... there was A TON of baseball. I think we played 7 total games in 4 days, and watched a multitude more. In true baseball fashion, Wade & Jake would have been completely content driving from ballpark to ballpark watching games from sun up to sun down. I on the other hand needed frequent distractions. Gotta make it a true family vacation. The boys got cool new travel jerseys and socks just for this tournament.

And we had a new banner made for the boys to hang on their dugouts and to carry in the parade

My favorite coach conferencing on the mound with his favorite boys

My two favorite coaches

My favorite first baseman

Precious faces in the heat of the moment

Well, at the end of the day we only won 2 games. We battled like champions. Outsized, out-budgeted, out hyped. We knew what we would be up against though so no hard feelings. At the end of an intensely grueling couple of games, Jake had this little outburst of childlike fun involving red Powerade.

Gotta love a kid that can keep it light. Love ya Jake. Proud of you too.