There's No Business Like Snow Business

We may have had to chase after a snow day...but we found it. We headed up to Banner Elk on Thursday night and enjoyed the first snow fall we've seen in two years. That alone made it worth the trip. Even though it wasn't a lot of snow, we were happy to stomp around the next morning!

                           

After exploring around a little while, it was time to start getting ready to ski.  For anyone whose been skiing, you know there are many layers of getting ready.

 And then many lines.

And then trying to entertain ourselves while we wait. (Tinley found pink skis she thought were waiting on her.) Do you see the sign? 

 We played on benches.

Tried to appear patient.

 Fixed our hair again.

Took some more pictures...Brandon was waiting in line a lot of this time;)

After lots of waiting...and shoe fixing, and bundling up, we made it! It was still misting a little when we started so Tinley waited for a little while to make her skiing debut.

Ganny and Grandaddy kept her busy inside and she was pretty happy lounging in the ski lodge. Thanks to Ganny for most of our pictures!

After a little while, Parker came in for a rest. He was working hard on those skis!

So....we traded and now that there was no rain, Tinley was ready for a try.

She was very easy to ski with because she's so little...She was caught between thinking it was a really exciting, yet really strange feeling!

She really enjoyed coming up the mountain if you see that little speck in red boots over there.

 After a few trips down the bunny slope, she went back to her comfy, cozy, social life inside...enjoying treats and lots of attention!

Meanwhile with both kids resting, Brandon and I headed straight to the top. Mostly Brandon's idea. With limited time, we had to make sure we covered the whole mountain...it was fun but I think once from the top was enough!

When we came back Parker was refueled and unthawed. He stayed out with the big guys the rest of the afternoon. We were proud he managed to stop by himself below...even if it took two adults, and 3 poles!

 On the way down the mountain the last time, he told me he'd distract Brandon so I could win just once! What a sweet little fella!

Some of the rest of our family came up Friday night. We had a long dinner and celebrated Adam's birthday!

Although we were tired and oh so cold, we couldn't waste anytime and went out for a tubing session with the gang!

 Lots of fun...and probably the only thing resembling sledding we will get to do this year!

The next morning Daddy and Parker headed home for their Pinewood Derby. Tinley and I stayed to hang out a little longer.

We had fun exploring the town with Booya and Grandaddy! We went to The Mast General Store where we found lots of things we did and didn't need (and Tinley saw some of her friends from the day before.)

We went to the Daniel Boone Inn before heading home....yummmmmy!

Back at home, Parker took his Ninja Turtle car to race and had a lot of success!

2nd place for this lean mean green machine! Way to go Daddy and Parker!!

It's only Tuesday...

And it's already been busy. February has so many events. We are just getting started I guess!

As predictions have it, Tinley finally was wrong about the Superbowl....although for a minute there I thought she had some extra knowledge of what would happen after half time.

It worked out because Parker actually "cared" somewhat about his team winning and Tinley just cared about sticking her finger in the chocolate football.

Sometimes you just have to get your priorities in order.

Here are some pictures of Parker dressed for the 100th day. In first grade they had to dress like a 100 year old person. As usual our first thing in the morning shots are not the best.

He and his "old lady" friend.

So cute and a fun day for all. Just glad we don't have to put that much stuff on every morning. It might slow our "12 minute and out the door" plan down.

Plans to Give You Hope And a Future

We all do a lot of planning and predicting everyday. We plan our schedule, what we'll get done, who we'll see....We predict how the day will go, our week will go, our year will go. While I do think planning is very important and predicting can be really fun (see below:), sometimes we are pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised when things go differently. We all have "those days" and Friday I was having one of them! Today a well known verse served to remind me of a plan that will not change. "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11 
Always good to rest in the truth!


Parker made us very proud this week earning his yellow belt!

Never would I have predicted that I would be rooting on my child to punch and kick, but so proud he's pursuing something he enjoys.

Saturday morning we headed to the Nature Museum for their special Groundhog Day event, but first we said hello to some other animal friends.

Parker and Tinley both seemed a big fan of the turtles (I think it had something to do with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). 

I pressed for the groundhog paint...but no... turtles it was.

Finally getting around to the main event...lots of crafting.

This is a new yellow-pink type groundhog.

Look at all these people waiting to see what Queen Charlotte would predict. 

No shadow. Spring weather is on the way. I do believe she was just trying to be a crowd pleaser;)

 Follow up photo shoot. Tough job.

Look at all those shadows we saw....hmmm are groundhogs truthful?

Before we left we visited the butterflies. Parker was very serious about trying to catch one...maybe next time.

We did see some beauty though!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Now on to our next predictions for the Superbowl: Parker has predicted the Ravens to win. Tinley has predicted the 49ers to win. No picture yet of this years prediction yet...a little ink trouble happening.

Heres a review of the last 2 years predictions. 

2 years ago...Both had the flu...both predicted correct!

Here is a video we made of Tinley that year!

Last year they took two different sides and Tinley was correct...again!

I don't know much about football...but I'm going to have to go with Tinley. 2 for 2 without even being able to talk...she must have good instincts!