Wednesday, January 3, 2024

A Hoffman Family Holiday

I hope everyone had a blessed and happy holiday season. We spent our Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations with the Hoffmans (Mark's daughter). It was a full house, with three sets of grandparents and also Mark's son, Mitchell, and his family from Olympia, Washington. Our best gift of all was one from the family-- a digital frame that everyone in the family can post pictures to by way of the internet. What a wonderful way to stay up to date on everyone.

We joined the family for a couple fun activities during the holidays. The first was an Escape Room adventure-- a gift from Grandma and Grandpa "B". I love those things!  This was my second try at it. There were so many of us that they had to split us into three groups, each group solving a different set of clues to get "out." Fortunately, they do let you out eventually if you can't solve the puzzle. My group was seconds away from escaping when we ran out of time. Oh well, maybe next time. Mark's group was successful...probably due to having Olive, the seven-year old, with them. 

Between Christmas and New Year, we all made the long drive to Dallas for the Medieval Times "Dinner and Tournament." Grandma Mary paid the premium to give us all front row seats (bless her!). It was a lot of fun. We cheered for the "Blue Knight." He lost in the end--too bad. Oh well, maybe next time. I've been a few times over the years (they have several locations) and love it every bit as much every time.

Today we're on the road again. Our first stop is the Alfa Shop in Choudrant, Louisiana, where we're getting a new washing machine installed and doing some maintenance and a few small repairs. Then we're off to central Mississippi to visit my sister for a week.

Below are a few pictures of our time in Shreveport. 

Happy New Year to all. God bless, and may all your travels be safe.


Our backyard neighbors

Happy Birthday, Olive (7 yrs)

Olive's Church Christmas Program

Olive

Left to right:  Aiden, Asa, Grandma B, James (behind the
sword), Grandpa B, Asher (behind Grandpa B), Alex,
and Melanie in the front

Left to right:  Mark, Asher, Aiden, Asa, James

Left to right: Grandpa B, Alex, Melanie, and Olive in the front

The Perot Museum of Science and Natural History in Dallas.
We stopped here and spent the afternoon before going to 
Medieval Times.

Alex with the dinosaur at the top of the escalator

Isn't this interesting?

Outside the museum. Left to right:  Mitchell, Alex with Olive,
Grandma Mary, Dylan, Asa, Melanie, and Aiden in the front.


The boys getting in the theme...
Asher, Asa (under the helmet), and Dylan

The knights are introduced

Grand procession

The queen (or princess...not sure)

Our knight fights valiently

Handsome, isn't he?

Medieval Times -- a ton of fun!