Rollerskating, yea we did that

Welcome to the dirtiest public place in Washington County, the rollerskating rink.  We were greeted at the door with cigarette smoke and belches.  Yes, we still went in.  Not even the 400 pound butt crack could keep us away.  We were here to roller skate.

 In Lucas's words, "I'm going to take off my shoes and put me on some roller-skates!" He wasn't afraid, he was ready to go and I was happy he had to leave his shoes on and wear the skates over the top.  Those skates were slower and easier to use. I wish they would have had a pair for Hunter.  That poor kid beat himself up.

 Up first and ready to go.

 Carolyn and Hunter trying to get out on the rink.

 LeeAnne and Alice making their way to the floor.

 The rails.  LOVE.THE.RAILS.  This is where Hunter spent most of his time.  He was either on the rails or on the floor.  I think he was black and blue for days.  Poor guy never gave up and by the end of this crazy afternoon he was getting it.

I must take a minute and reflect on the atmosphere of this place.  Step back to 1975, I wasn't even born but I guarantee this place was already 10 years old.  The same skates were still being used.  The same man was still working behind the counter.  And, I bet, the same pizza was being served.  The bathrooms didn't even have running water to the sinks.  Makes eating there sound even more pleasant. Just imagine Bill handing out 45 year old skates, then running to pee and then handing you your pizza. Yes, this is the type of places I take my kids.  We all need experiences, right?  And you know what, they loved every minute of it and I did too!

Go Knicks!! Our first Upward Basketball experience.

This was a very pleasant introduction into basketball.  In small towns you aren't really noticed unless you play basketball, football or baseball.  I am being a little stereotypical here, but David and I grew up being very talented athletes in nonconventional small town sports with his biking and my running.  I would like for our boys to try as many different sports activities as possible and I'm certainly not knocking BB, BB, and FB but I don't know if I am ready to be that kind of mom.  I hear all these horror stories about practices to midnight and screaming, cursing parents!  I could write several pages on my theories of children and athletics but it would be boring and this is about our family, right?  See how I digress!! SO……we loved upward basketball.  We had wonderful coaches and a supportive and encouraging parental group (no cursing!)  We had one practice a week and one game on the weekend.  It was a time to learn some basketball skills but more importantly a time of fellowship and good sportsmanship.  Each practice and game had an allotted period of time to scripture and it was really nice to see the kids be enthusiastic over worship during a sporting activity.

Sitting on the bench taking a break and waiting to get back into the game.  The players rotate every 5 minutes to ensure that everyone gets ample playing time.  They also match you up with an opposing player to guard by similar ribbons.  The ribbon was affixed to their jersey to help them remember the person they were supposed to be guarding.  I must say a mom must have come up with that idea.

Getting tagged and matched to the opposing team.

Little Hunter had a great first season. He was shy, scared, and lacked confidence in the beginning but by the end of the season he was bringing the ball up the court and shooting like Micheal Jordan.  I couldn't tell you how many baskets he make over the season but I bet you he could!

The Atlanta Hawks vs. Golden State

 Yes, there are no actual pictures of the basketball game, but we did go and it was fantastic!  These are a couple of selfies we sent to David and Hunter.  Our tickets were in opposite sections but we still had fun.

 Hello Daddy!

 Lucas and his love of cotton candy...

Daddy and Hunter sending us a return selfie!

Atlanta trip to Fern Valley Museum

 One thing about big cities is that they are filled with wonderful museums!  So much to see and learn about.  This museum was all about dinosaurs and our prehistoric world (or so I thought, you don't get to read very much with 4 kids running around.  They are much more interested in the actual exhibit versus reading all the information that goes along with it).  When they get older and can all read and soak in these amazing stories and facts it will be interesting to see if they discover the museums in a whole other light.  Who knows.

 Hunter and some huge, weird animal.

 I think this was a picture of a giant sloth.

 Snack time.  These are very important to some more than others.

 Some dinosaur fossils.  They are so, so big and so, so strange.  It is hard to believe such a creature ever existed.  If we didn't have the bones to prove it, I would never believe in such a thing!

 Amazing playroom with all kinds of interesting things to discover.

The gift of Experience! Feeding the elephants at the Atlanta zoo!

 Isn't she beautiful?  Aunt Noelle and Uncle Kevin gifted the boys a trip to the zoo to participate in a behind the scenes elephant feeding and petting session.  It was wonderful and if you ever get the opportunity to do something like this you must!  It's not everyday you get to pet and feed an elephant.

 Lucas and Hunter were both a little intimidated by her size and wanted to be held while we did the feeding and petting.  She leaned up against the cage for you to pet her leathery skin.  We were instructed to pat very hard or else she would think we were just a pesky fly and then swat at us with her tail.  I don't think Lucas chose to pet her but I do think he fed her.

 Hunter and Daddy taking their turn at feeding and petting.

Family picture with our sweet elephant.  On a side note I have to mention that David was sick as a dog the 24 hours prior to our zoo trip.  He came down with a nasty GI bug and was down for the count for a solid 24 hours.  I don't know how he managed to walk through the zoo and then into the elephant barn (which didn't smell too pleasant!).  He hadn't had a thing to eat and not much to drink and was still able to hold Hunter to feed and pet the elephant.  He is a wonderful man and a magnificent father.  He kept saying, "I want to come, I don't want to miss it."  So, so sweet.  Poor thing!

Winter trip to Atlanta and the Medieval TImes show

 The opening arena.  Medieval times is a horse show/theater production that you watch while you eat.  Fun times!

 We all donned crowns which later the actors/actresses signed.

 3 of the cutest little knights I've ever seen!  Our meal consisted of dragon blood soup (tomato soup), dragon legs (chicken thighs), dragon fingers and dragon eggs (potato fries and twice baked potatoes) and for dessert we had apple turnovers.  Yummy!

 Here come our knights.  We were sitting in the red section so we were responsible for cheering on the knights in red.

 The King and the Princess awaiting the show to begin.

 Lucas and the King.

 Hunter and our leading Knight.

 Lucas and the Princess.

 Hunter and a knight from the opposing blue team.

More pre Christmas fun

 We had a mini Gingerbread house decorating party with Emerson, Larkin, Blaine and Evan.  It was a fun evening of Christmas celebration complete with bellies full of yummy sweets.

 Larkin and Emerson had rock solid foundations with the help of super builder daddy Matt.

 Hunter working hard on finishing up his creative design.  Lucas had fun but he enjoyed eating the pieces used to decorate rather than actually using them to decorate his house.

 I have lost count at this point in the holiday season and from my delay in blogging but I think this was holiday hosting number 3.  We did something really fun this year and I am so sad that I don't have more pictures than this (maybe I will find some on another camera and blog more on the events later) but we hosted our family Christmas at our house this year.  It was fantastic to have everyone come visit Abingdon and see where we live and why we love our little town so much.  All my aunts and uncles from my mother's side of the family came up for the holiday and we had a blast. The food was wonderful, the weather was crazy warm and beautiful.  We had snow this year for Thanksgiving but on this day in December is was 70 degrees!!  We were able to open the french doors and enjoy our Christmas dinner on the porch.  After dinner the kids opened presents and we all participated in Dirty Santa!!

Nana and Uncle Larry serving up the desserts!