Baseball Trip 2025

 Brody’s Annual Baseball Trip – 2025 Edition

One of our favorite traditions every year is Brody’s annual baseball trip. It’s a chance to explore new ballparks, spend time together, and make some lasting memories around the game we all love. This year’s adventure took us right into the heart of the Midwest: Kansas City and St. Louis.

Brody was joined by his grandpa, Uncle John, and Tony for a two-city tour filled with baseball, food, and plenty of laughter.

The first stop was Kansas City, where the crew cheered on the Royals. There’s just something special about walking into a new stadium for the first time—the smells, the buzz of the crowd, and of course, the crack of the bat. After soaking up the game, it was time to hit the road east.

Next up: St. Louis. The Cardinals game was a highlight, with its electric atmosphere and a sea of red filling the stands. But the fun didn’t stop at the ballpark. They also made time to ride up into the Gateway Arch, which gave them an incredible view of the city and Mississippi River.

No baseball trip would be complete without some great food, and this year’s menu was all about ribs. The group made sure to taste-test in both cities, comparing Kansas City’s famous barbecue with St. Louis’ own take on ribs. (The verdict? Delicious all around—everyone wins when ribs are involved!)

More than the games or the sights, though, the best part of the trip was the company. Grandpa, Uncle John, Brody, and Tony shared plenty of laughs and built another chapter in this baseball tradition that grows stronger each year.

Here’s to another successful baseball trip in the books—and we can’t wait to see where next year’s adventure takes us!

July-August 2025

The rest of summer flew by with Brody making a trip to Minnesota to hang with the family.  Lots of fun was had with golfing, fishing, attending a Saints baseball game, doing an escape room and playing whirlyball.

Marissa moved into her first college dorm room at USF to begin summer semester.  She thrived and succeeded in her first college classes.  She had 2 weeks in between semesters where she had her tonsils removed and recovered at home!  Before she went back to school we went on a family boating trip where the kids enjoyed tubing on the river.

We got the opportunity for my nephew Myles to spend a few days with us while his parents were out of town.  We had lots of waterpark time, games, trying new restaurant and to top it off a magic show in St. Augustine.

Brody celebrated his 15th Birthday at Top Golf with his friends.  He started in August the 9th grade at Nease!  

We moved Marissa to her dorm at USF for her freshman year!  Lots of beautiful memories and fun times were had!

Italy 2025--Marissa's Grad Celebration Trip

 La Dolce Vita: Celebrating Marissa’s Graduation with a Dream Trip to Italy (and Beyond!)

There are certain moments in life that call for something extra special—something unforgettable. When our daughter Marissa graduated from high school, we knew we wanted to mark the occasion in a big way. After all the hard work, the late-night study sessions, and the bittersweet countdown to senior year’s end, it felt only right to pause and celebrate this milestone with something meaningful and memorable.

So… we packed our bags and flew across the ocean for the adventure of a lifetime: 10 days in Italy, followed by a Disney Mediterranean cruise, and even a surprise reunion with Marissa’s best friend Emma in Greece.

Let’s just say—it was nothing short of magical.

Italy: Art, Pasta, and Pure Joy

Our Italian journey began with wide eyes and full hearts. From the moment we landed, we were swept up in the beauty of it all—Rome’s ancient wonders, Florence’s Renaissance charm, Venice’s dreamy canals, and of course, the unbeatable food (I’m pretty sure we hit our lifetime quota of gelato by day four).

We wandered cobblestone streets, stood in awe of the Colosseum, climbed the steps of the Duomo, and even took a gondola ride that felt straight out of a movie. But more than the sights, it was the slowness of life in Italy—the late dinners, the morning cappuccinos, the piazzas full of music and laughter—that made it so special.

This wasn’t just a vacation. It was a celebration of everything Marissa had accomplished, and everything ahead of her. Watching her take it all in—curious, confident, excited—was the real joy.

Mediterranean Magic: The Disney Cruise

Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get any better, we boarded the Disney Mediterranean cruise, which took the entire experience to a whole new level of wonder. The ship itself was incredible—Disney-level detail and service in every corner, but with the added bonus of waking up to new countries every morning.

We explored ports in Italy, France, and Greece, soaking in the sunshine and history. There were days spent exploring ancient ruins, afternoons lounging by the sea, and evenings full of shows, themed dinners, and that unmistakable Disney magic. Every detail was thoughtful, every day was different, and every moment brought us closer together as a family.

A Surprise Reunion in Greece

One of the absolute highlights of the trip? Meeting up with Emma in Greece.

Emma—Marissa’s best friend and practically a second daughter to us—was traveling with her own family, and we were able to coordinate a meetup while docked in Santorini. Watching the two of them reunite, thousands of miles from home, was unforgettable. They laughed like no time had passed, took a million photos with the white-washed buildings behind them, and made memories that will last forever.

It was the perfect full-circle moment to cap off their high school journey together—and a reminder that friendship, like travel, knows no borders.

Looking Back with Full Hearts

As we flew home, sun-kissed and a little tired (in the best way), I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky we were to share this time together. Life moves fast—especially during the high school years—and it meant the world to slow down, explore new places, and celebrate Marissa in such a meaningful way.

This wasn’t just a trip—it was a marker in time. A way to say, you did it… and now your next adventure begins.

Marissa, we are endlessly proud of you. And we’ll never forget the summer we celebrated your graduation with pasta, passports, and a little bit of Disney magic.

Here’s to your next chapter—wherever it takes you. 🌍🎓🇮🇹🚢