More Holiday Fun!

While we were in Charlotte we did a great job celebrating the season, but there was also lots of fun to be had.  Since the boys' big Christmas present was a new bike for each of them, there was lots of bike riding to be done.  We went on several times while we were in Charlotte and the boys practiced speeding down the street.  Our little group would head outside, the boys would strap on their fabulous helmets that Grandma Dot bought them, the dogs would all get their leashes on (because of course we couldn't leave them behind), and we were off.  We made quite the procession with two boys on bikes (one in shark helmet one with a large plastic mohawk), a greyhound, a golden dog, a tiny brown and white poodle, and any number of grown ups running along behind them.  Ben and Evan both got pretty fast on their bikes and we had to run to keep up with both of them.  (Ian even filmed the whole adventure by strapping his new GoPro camera on to Evan's handlebars.)

(Gramps tests out Evan's new helmet.)

(my speedsters)

(a few pre-bike ride bubbles)

Now, the boys have a lot of energy, and they certainly couldn't get all of their energy out with a little bike riding, so one day we headed down to a local park and had a great time.  It's funny how there can be tons of new play structures and types of equipment around but kids will always migrate toward the old favorites.  They spent most of the time while we were there playing on the old dome jungle gym and the metal merry-go-round like we used to play on when we were kids.  There were a ton of kids on the merry-go-round, but fortunately we only had one injury when Benny might have gotten a little stepped on while trying to push it around.  I guess there's a reason most playgrounds don't have them anymore.

(Evan hangs like a monkey.)

(Ben takes his turn climbing.)

The boys weren't the only ones who got to have a little extra fun.  One night Gram and Gramps even let Ian and I go out to dinner with Reid and Candice without the kids!  Reid and Candice took us out to a great sushi place.  We had a great time and some delicious food.  They even had a shrimp tempura roll with teriyaki steak on top-it was delicious!  Afterward, we even went out for coffee (or hot chocolate) like the grown ups do.

(Mmmmm...sushi, with steak??)



(Reid and Candice celebrate a night out!)

One of the Davis family holiday traditions is for Ian and Gram to make a decadent dessert of some kind.  This time, they selected a triple layer mousse cake.  While Gram still felt a little under the weather, Ian was willing to pick up the slack, and they ended up with a beautiful and completely delicious dessert.  I think that Evan said it was the best *food* he had ever eaten!  It was pretty yummy.

(Ian's beautiful cake)

(Best FOOD ever)

(Benny didn't even get to sample the cake on the first night...Boy, the holidays are tiring!)

Another Davis tradition whenever we get together is to pull out a board game.  The game of choice this trip was Ticket to Ride.  So, several nights while we were there, we huddled around the kitchen table and attempted to take over Europe by building the longest and best train routes.  While we all thought we did well and surely would win, only Gram and Gramps took those honors.  In all the times I have played that game, I am yet to win, but it's still fun.

(Game night)

We had an absolutely fabulous trip, and it was so nice to get to spend the time with our family!  So until next year...Merry Christmas!