North Carolina History

 Jennie took us to the Mendenhall Plantation - a Quaker Residence in Jamestown, NC.  She and the kids had been there a couple times ... we loved learning so much about NC history.

 Gotta love those Quakers!  This house was built in 1811 - and much of it is still original.

 Our Tour Guide was amazing - has several degrees and really knew his stuff.  Actually we found out he was from Terre Haute, Indiana!!  This is an original door - - most of the house and outbuilding were original - he said they were poor and had to fix us what they had, instead of building new.

 The straw looking stuff on the table is flax plant - the spinning wheel spun some on the handle looking thing ... notice the wooden gears at the back of the spinner - clicks off at a skein!

 Really old quilts - tiny hand stitches!

 Cute needle point foot stool.

 Old mantle and fire place.

Close up of the wreath with cotton bolls!

Noah and Luke Basketball practice

We were happy that Luke and Noah had practice with their basketball team while we were visiting.  They are both gaining skills and knowledge and it was fun to watch.  They have a good coach and coaches son who teach the fundamentals.

 More of the practice.

There was another team practicing on the other half of the gym - the last 5 minutes they had a scrimmage game that Luke and Noah's team won - convincingly.  Here they are on defense and their team made about 10-12 points ... the other one 2-4.

FHE at the Hardy's!

 Monday, Dec. 12th we enjoyed FHE with the Hardy's - Jason was out of town working but the rest of us made great gingerbread houses - small ones.

 Jennie had two kits - one for a gingerbread train - they are waiting for Jason to be there when they do that one...check out Molly under the table .. waiting for candy to drop.

 More fun!

 Silly Sophie - her house collapsed and now it is the Ancient ruins of a gingerbread house!  Lots of candy didn't make it to the houses!

Sophie's ruin's - Grace with gummy bear army protecting her house - Luke and Noah's yummy creations!  All in all a good time.

Birthday Dinner

Sunday after Church - Emilee and Ben made a great Birthday Dinner - Ben grilled these awesome steaks, Emilee made grilled asparagus - gold potatoes, mushrooms,  and Costco contributed bacon wrapped scallops!

 Everyone loved dinner!

Jane and Emilee made two amazing pies Friday - we had one on Saturday - pecan and then this one on Sunday - sour cream apple - both delicious!  Ben likes pie better than cake and has had these two for most of his birthdays!  Fun that his mother could come and make them for him.

The Pike Family - - after Church - note:  Talus and Baden love wearing Luke and Noah's old cowboy boots - that look brand new!

We set the timer and had a picture of all of us - it is so much fun for us to visit our children and grandchildren in their homes - thanks for allowing us to do so.

Talus and Baden in front of the Christmas tree.

Always a fun time with these two!  I'd forgotten the fun noise level of wonderful boys!! Thanks Tal and Baden for letting Grandma and Grandpa Smith use your room.

Ben's Birthday

 When you go to church at one - you can have family time in the mornings!  It was Dec. 11th - Ben's birthday and Emilee made yummy waffles for breakfast - Jane told her to beat the egg whites and they were the best waffles ever - light and delicious!  Then Ben had the boys come outside and shoot bows and arrows...in their Santa hats!

 Baden - did good!

 Talus got a little closer - and did well also.

 Check out the bow that Ben made out of old cross country skis - lots of 'spring' in it!

The boys playing with the Activity books we had at the big graduation.

Graduation - VCU

 Saturday December 10, was Ben's graduation from VCU - with his Master's Degree.  It was nice to be at a college graduation again!

 Here is Ben walking in - far left - Emilee getting a picture and Baden dear...Happy Day!

 We had great seats - being there early helped!  Fun to visit with Jane - she has great stories of traveling all over the world.

 During the recessional Ben broke ranks and ran over to high five the boys!  I was a little late with my camera!

 Happy Family!  bright sunshine - cool day!

 Walking in downtown Richmond - from the big graduation to the smaller department one - several homeless looking people told Ben - Congratulations!  It was a little over a mile and a nice walk for exercise.

Can you say: Happy Family?  I asked a random person to take a picture of all of us - Dad and I, Jane - and they did - but it didn't work - at least it isn't on my camera - darn!!!

Bowling in Richmond, VA

 Our drive was through lovely countryside - and Emilee and Ben took us on a fun Christmas Gift - date!  First to a great El Savadorian restaurant for purpsoso (sp) - yummy meat, bean, cheese pies.  Ben's Mom was just ending her visit - and we were just starting ours!

 We all went bowling after dinner - - great time...we were the only ones on the end of the whole place ... until just before we left .. then lots of others came.

Ben beat everyone - Dad and I broke 100 - and Talus got a strike on his last ball!  Yay!!