We arrived in Phoenix, got our rental car relatively quickly, and made our way to Tempe Diablo Stadium to catch our first Cactus League game of spring training which was the Giants first spring game as well. The Giants lost to the Angels, but we witnessed Joey Bart, the Giants first-round draft pick, collect his first hit in his second at-bat. We sat on the lawn and enjoyed stretching out after the day in the car and the airplane. Then we traveled to our Airbnb home and took care of some necessary adjustments: acquiring enough plates for the 11 of us, removing a hazard from over one of the doors, and getting a new blow-up mattress since the one provided didn't work. We shopped, ate dinner out, and then welcomed Eric and Sharon, Grace, Caleb, Luke, and Anna later in the evening.
Day two saw us attending our first A's game, which was a short walk from the place we stayed at. But before that, we went to Red Mountain Church where we heard a message on abiding in Christ from John 15. When we arrived at the A's, we took pictures and happened upon a stream of about 11 players arriving who walked right past where we were and then stopped to sign autographs for the kids. What great timing! The A's may have lost the game to the Royals, but they won some fans for sure. That night, the adults put the oldest kids in charge and took pause with a double date night.
 |
| We only missed the first two innings of the Giants game on the day of our arrival. |
 |
| Waiting for the rental car shuttle, and the kids are peacefully sitting... |
 |
| Greeted by a balloon cactus at the rental car center. |
 |
| The gathering of kids before we walked to the ballgame--all holding fidget spinners. |
 |
| Did we just get picked up by a golf cart and escorted to the front gate? |
 |
| Our five framed together. |
 |
| The seven kids. |
 |
| The entire 11 person crew. |
 |
| Getting our first autograph of the spring. |
 |
| Did you fill your ball already, Garrett? |
 |
| Joy, Grace, and Sharon relax in the outfield. |
 |
| Sean Manaea has been gracious each year. |
 |
| Double date magic. |
 |
| The kids have got this one covered. |
 |
| The parental units pretend they are on a double date at the ballgame... |
 |
| Marcus Semien and Jurickson Profar, the new A's double-play combo. |
 |
| Crazy kids picture... |
 |
| This brief moment of silence brought to you by... |
