Seattle--thanks for the memories

Just before school started we decided to take a last minute getaway to Seattle. After all, the Mariners were playing the Blue Jays and this would be our chance to see the Mariners (who we love) but also Jose Bautista from the Blue Jays (who the boys think is an awesome player).We got there early and watched batting practice with our mitts, hoping to catch one of the balls. We stayed late after the game in anticipation of maybe getting to score a signature from one of the players--dreaming of the Bautista autograph. No luck.
But, we sure had a great time all the same.
That night, after the game we spent the night in a hotel just outside of Seattle in one of the more mellow, family friendly hotel areas. We headed back in the next morning and explored the waterfront where the kids rode the carousel.

We went to the Pike Place Fish Market and couldn't resist getting a picture of Carter in front of this big sign.
We walked along the pier checking out the little shops and seafood shacks.
We saw all kinds of big jelly fish in the water below. It was really cool.
We decided to make our way into the city shopping area where the kids were anxious to do a little back-to-school shopping. Chase was especially anxious to get the new Nike shoes he had been waiting all summer to be released. He, Larry, Caleb, and Chloe were in Nike town getting those, while I took Corbin and Carter over to American Eagle across the street. After a couple of minutes, I get a call from Larry saying, "You won't believe who is here in Nike? Jose Bautista! Tell Carter and Corbin." I immediately text Carter in his dressing room to tell him. On another trip to a Mariners game earlier that summer, the boys met a fake Ichiro in the Mariners gift shop and got a pic with him. Carter immediately texts back, "If this is some fake Bautista, I'm going to be so ticked." Carter, Corbin, and I quickly made our way back to Nike where Larry and the kids were downstairs. I asked, "Did you talk to him?" Chase said, "No. Dad says to just leave him alone. He's upstairs I think." Well, I wasn't about to let this opportunity for the boys pass by. It's not easy for a pregnant 39 yr. old with 5 kids to trek over to Seattle, sit through hours of baseball, walk all around town, sleep in a hotel bed, with the possible thrill of my kids getting to meet one of their sports idols, and pass it up. So, I marched my pregnant butt upstairs and told him what big fans my kids were of his and how much it would mean if he would be willing to sign their ticket stubs (which I conveniently still had in my wallet). He was very gracious and kind, signed the stubs, and even stood in a picture with the crew.
Thanks, Jose. You were the icing on the cake for the boys and for Larry because he's bigger than you.