Andrew's Tradition

 Last year Andrew decided we go to the zoo and Chick-fil-A after Christmas.  So we did it again.  Why not?!

One of the turtles was stuck on his back!  We watched for probably 15 minutes until he finally got himself flipped back over.  I was really about to go find a zoo keeper.  I felt bad for the little guy.  His friends wouldn't even help him.  One even went over and just walked on past.  meany.

I miss the elephants, but these Rhinos are SO fun.  I could watch them for hours.  I love that they RUN!  We still haven't seen the boy.  They are still slowly introducing them and don't let the girls and boy out together.  We saw the girls again today.

Great tradition Andrew.  Glad Mawmaw was able to tag along!

Charlotte Murals

 Since we were so close to Charlotte, I looked up a free thing to do and Mural hunting came up!  Our perfect, free, fun activity to follow up hiking.  We found some cool ones!

The sun was not cooperating for most of these.  But I think that might be my new motto!  "You can't make everyone happy.  You are not ice cream.  Do the things that light you up! Everything else will fall into place."

Andrew saw this one as we were driving to the ice cream one.  He said "Dad I just saw a Thanos one."  So BJ said we would go there next.  We all got back into the car and it was literally on the next building.  We drove the block back to the SAME parking lot and all got out again.  We had no idea it was so close!

Grant wouldn't get close.  It was funny.

Online it said there were some angel wings, but we couldn't find them.  I am guessing this Kobe one was painted over it.  Bummer.  I always like a good pair of wings!

The kids saw this and called it COVID.  Funny.

This is all of our shadows.  Since the sun wasn't helping, we used it for our photo!

Can't ever go wrong with that many donuts!

Fun day.  Pretty weather.  Glad we got out!

Hiking - Crowders Mountain

 I needed out.  Maybe we all did.  So we headed to Crowders Mountain for the day.  It was perfect.

Ice on the trail.  Might be all the ice/snow we see this year! ha!

Grant was starting to complain, and then got to these steps and did them all no problem.  Even played "floor is lava" on the way.

Bailey is the cautious one.  Take it slow.  Go the safe path.

Andrew is the full out, climber.  Takes it all on.

It was so rocky at the top.

He's so happy!

Everyone got code names...we will see if they stick.

BJ - Bear

Grant - Worm...as in gummy worms, for the large amount he consumed

Andrew - Wolf...wild wolf.

Bailey - Cat...scaredy-cat!

Me - the votes are still out.  I can't remember if anyone ever decided.  I feel like I am the mother duck, trying to get everyone to go in the same direction!

Coming back down.  It was a good time.  Not sure when hiking became so fun to me.  But I really enjoy it.