The rest of Detroit!

Here are the rest of our pictures from our FANTASTIC trip to Detroit.  I really can't say enough- we had a ball!!!  (Pardon my pun :) 

OK, so we are now TOTALLY spoiled if we weren't before.  The pancakes, oh the pancakes from room service!!  The kids meal alone could feed 2 of us.  Here is LJ eating while reading his morning paper :)

The veiw from our table at the field where we ate our hot dogs...

Looking at the view while taking his last bite :)

I think this is so cute...a before and after, if you will.  LJ had just thrown is bat in frustration and said, "I can't do it".  Here is Lance telling him he CAN do it, but that he cannot throw the bat when he misses the ball.  Look at LJ's face here - he totally gets it.   I guess Lance did a good job...

...because look at the face of utter "you are the greatest dad" respect on LJ's face after just a few moments.

Back in the saddle...He is nothing if not intense.

I think this park is his "happy place"  :)

Ball playing is done, time to go back to the playground!!

A little tykes play-thing in the airport.  You can see the windows of our airplane in the background - every airport should have something for kids like this.  In Tampa, they have a PLAYGROUND in each terminal.  The kids play, get too tired to fuss on the plane...everyone wins!  :)

The view of Tampa from LJ's window seat

Back home - both of the boys are happy to see each other :)  It is rare that Rookie "perches" on the same couch as LJ

Booth Park in Birmingham, Michigan

I had to put a few pictures from our off-day here in Detroit. We are actually in Birmingham, Michigan, a cute little town with shops, restaurants and this great park. I have taken my pictures a different way this time, and I'm not sure iPhoto likes it. (They are RAW, for anyone who knows anything about it) They look clearer on my camera, but I'll figure it out. I hope you enjoy them - we are having a blast! :)

Woohoo! A piece of cardboard and a turf hill and you have a slide! Kids brought their boxes and made a day of it - just like sledding!

Here he is at the top, Lance about to let him go down...

LJ had taken full advantage of the full-length mirror. He acts like he's talking to someone while looking at himself. Yesterday, I caught him saying, "Hi, I need Geico". (like, the insurance) :)

Hydrangeas everywhere!! We are decorating our room with them!

I can't imagine receiving a flower from a sweeter face :)

Speaking of sweet faces...

You can't see it here, but we are high up on top of a rock - He's a little nervous :)

Swinging together

oh, the pictures!!

OK, so get ready for the pictures!!  There are pictures from Nana, Pops, and Ross' visit - two birthdays, a beach day, Ross' day at the big field - what fun!!  Something is wrong with my camera, but I'm not going to get it fixed till LJ and I come back from Detroit.  I want to have it with me, but for some reason, the photos are not crisp and focused.  That's why some are in sepia - it was the best way to make them look sharper.  Anyway - I hope you enjoy - there's a lot!  So fun!

Here's LJ at the game night the Rays held for season ticket holders.  He loved skee-ball!

One more year!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Working on fielding with Lance

Ross at the trop :)

At the wall..it's gone!!!

Ross pitching to Lance in his bullpen :)

Time for the batting gloves

Hanging out with Ross

I love this one - 3 generations of Cormier's playing their favorite game :)

I know Nana's gonna kill me, but this cracks me up!  LJ's hat, and being his ball girl.

The 3 boys in the ocean :)

Lance and Ross

Pops, Nana and LJ before heading home

Look at that sweet boy!  :)  He's tired and ready to go take a nap!

Pops and LJ on the boardwalk 

LJ leading the "Happy Birthday" song :)

We had a softball game vs. the Bucs wives, (Local NFL team) and won!  Here we are before the game with our hands in, looking at each other going, "What are we supposed to say?"

1 - 2 ( I have NO idea where I hit it, I just hit it on the ground and run!  :) )

The winners with the trophy!

Rays Family Day

For memories' sake, I wanted to add two from last year.  Our boy has grown!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We spent the morning at the field celebrating "family day" at Tropicana Field!  LJ played tee-ball, hit some balls that Lance and other players were pitching to kids, ran the bases, pitched from the mound, ate lunch with his friends while getting a balloon made for him, then played some games in the kids room with his friends to end the day.  What a fun morning!!  Everyone and their children were in jerseys - it was so cute.  Most organizations have a family day, and it is always a hit!!  I hope you enjoy the pictures!  Pace yourself, I know there are a lot! :)

Our little catcher 

...and pitcher :)  Throwing his little heart out.

Headed to the "kids game", ready to play.  "No, Mom.  My bat's not too big."

Being the catcher in the kids game

Wondering, "where do I go next?"

Pitching in the kids game :)

My LITTLE guy on the mound with the family day banner in the background

:)

Our little catcher keeps us busy :)

A family that pitches together, stays together!  :)

The Annual Jersey Picture :)

Trying to hug us both..."water!!" (that's what he says when he's touching Lance and I at the same time - we have no idea what it means :)

I want to go play over there!!

Baby Gross, Cormier, and Zobrist - I can't believe that LJ is the "big kid" of the group!

Cleaning off "daddy's mound", ready to pitch!

STRIIIKE ONE!

Playing "trouble" with his buddies after lunch :)  I'm pretty sure he has no idea how to play!