Sweet Blessings: Cooperstown, NY!

Ever since Matthew started playing baseball in the Coppell baseball program, we have been looking forward to the year the boys got to go compete in Cooperstown, NY. After a year of fundraising, our team was finally on their way to Cooperstown Dreams Park. We left a day early so we could fly into Boston and see a Red Sox game! Molly packed her bag for the plane ride. I guess I should have checked to see what she had packed...we had lots of friends flying with us!

BOSTON:

A little fun in the airport while waiting on the rental car...

After checking into our hotel, we met up with our friends, the Hodders, for a fun-filled evening of baseball! We love Brynn and Matt and appreciate that they made it work to come see us. While at the game, we got to see our good friend (and one of Matthew's coaches), Mark Brandenburg, signing autographs. He played for the Red Sox back in the day. Richard and Matt had fun giving him a hard time during his signing!

Before the game we got a tour of Fenway stadium. It was really neat to hear the history behind the stadium. Matthew even got a practice ball as a keepsake!

FOXBORO, MA

Gillette Stadium...Home of the Patriots!

On our way to Cooperstown, we stopped in Foxboro to see Gillette Stadium. Matthew is a huge fan of Julian Edelman and wanted to see where he plays! It was a beautiful stadium in the middle of nowhere!

COOPERSTOWN, NY

Here we come!

After a stop at Walmart, we were loaded down and excited to see signs for New York!

We started off the week at the Holiday Inn Express. This is where the families were staying while the coaches and boys were at the barracks. Richard had a team meeting, where we ordered pizza and got our instructions for the week. He also had a special surprise for everyone. He worked so hard collecting pictures and made a video documenting the boys journey to Cooperstown. I love that he is invested whole-heartedly in these boys and making this a such memorable time in their lives. The video definitely brought a few tears.

After the meeting it was time to get the boys and coaches checked in to the barracks! We were cabin 27 and the boys had a blast there all week!

During the week there was lots of pin trading between games and at night. The boys left with quite a collection.

On opening day, the boys had team pictures and prepared for the Opening Ceremony and the competitions after the opening ceremony.

It was raining during part of the opening ceremony. We may or may not have been across the street waiting out the rain and eating wings (per Molly's request)!

Throughout the week the boys were able to be checked out to go sightseeing or just go back to the hotel to shower and hang out. The lobby was perfect for games!

The boys played hard all week and had a great cheering section. The siblings definitely get an award for all the cheering and support they provided. Matthew pitched a complete game for a win in bracket play and hit right at 600 with 2 home runs across nine games. The home runs were definitely a highlight for the trip. Super proud of him and all the hard work he has put into this sport. I love watching him play!

When he hit his home run it left an imprint from the ball on his bat!

There might have been a late night McDonalds run after a late game...

On our last night we all went to dinner and celebrated all the milestones from the week. Love these families and made some great memories that we will cherish forever!

The boys all went to the championship game together that final night. Great way to wrap up an incredible week!

While in Cooperstown, the boys were also able to see Double Day Field and go to the Baseball Hall of Fame. What could be better for these baseball-loving boys?!