The Upside of Yuck

Seth spent all of the long MLK holiday weekend with the yuck.  The upside was that it only lasted a couple of days and Granny was here, so he got lots of cuddling in.

And few things are better than Granny cuddles!

Trail Rides

We were blessed to have some extra adventures last year, and one of my favorites came along with our Asheville excursion. Eric had a surprise up his sleeve while we were there-one that didn't include the Biltmore or the swanky, ultra hip downtown area. Both were so much fun to experience and explore, and such contrasts to one another.  Biltmore transforms you back to a time of over the top grandeur, lavishness, and tradition whereas Downtown Asheville could not be more modern with its celebration of diversity, artsiness (is that a word?), organic EVERYTHING, and bucking anything that wreaks of tradition.  Yes, Asheville is an interesting place.  Two different worlds colliding, yet coexisting well.

The adventure Eric had planned for us took us away from Asheville all together and into to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  It was a more laid back, slower paced adventure.  One that was more our style of fun, one that, although a very brand new adventure, catered more to our comfort zone, and one that was more US.  (I love how well he knows us.)

And, it just so happened to involve horses.

Yep, this Kentucky girl had never before ridden a horse.

I can't say that anymore.

Eric had planned for us a two-hour trail ride through the mountains.  I had no idea what to expect.  Sometimes that makes for the best adventures.  I hopped on my horse, who was named Becky (how sweet is that?), and hoped for the best.  The trail guides gave us a very quick crash course in horse riding and then it was up to me and Becky to make it through the ride unscathed.  Oh, but Becky was great!  Just as gentle and sweet as the wonderful person she reminded me of (in name, not looks, Sister).  She listened and was very patient with me as I fumbled with the reigns.  Only once or twice did I have any inkling of fear and that was only because she got just a little too close to the side of the mountain, and I was afraid we were going to tumble right down it.  However, Becky had probably carried thousands of people over that trail, so who was I to doubt her and her proprioception?  But still, I mumbled a few silent prayers on both of our behalfs.  Yes, I learned that horseback riding takes a lot of faith.  And I also learned that it is one of the most relaxing and fun experiences I have ever had.

Eric and I kept trying to remember his horse's name.  It was not quite as memorable as Becky.  We are thinking Sassy, but who knows?  She was a good horse, too, and a bit more rowdy than sweet Becky.

 

The views from our trail were so beautiful!  The weather was so nice and although it had been raining that morning, it stopped just in time for our ride.

What a fun morning together!  With the horses.
Thank you, Honey!  You rock!!

We did end up back downtown later that night...along with the rain.  Unfortunately, we did not escape the torrential downpours.  We didn't take an umbrella and got drenched!  It was all good, though.  There are SO many great places to eat in downtown Asheville, but we went back to the place we ate at on our first evening there...Tupelo Honeys.  Partly because we didn't want to keep walking around in the rain looking for a place to eat and partly because it is just THAT GOOD!  It had come highly recommended and now we highly recommend it.  YUM!!

First Snow of the Year

The boys FINALLY got their snow day!!

(And they didn't even have to sleep with their underwear on their head to get it.  Yeah, that little rumor just did not hold truth.)

Although most of the snow has already melted, the boys definitely made the most of it this morning.

 

 

After they came in from the cold, we feasted on blueberry coconut pancakes and hot chocolate.

Yeah, we set the snow day bar pretty high here today.

A Little Rumor

It is rumored that if you are expecting snow and sleep with your underwear on your head then you will surely awaken to a snow day (or ice day, in our case) from school....

This is one rumor that Caleb certainly took to heart.

Coach Seth

Okay, I thought that watching UK basketball was an event with Eric, but I think that Seth now tops him.  Since his trip to Rupp, Seth has become quite an avid UK basketball watcher.  He gets so excited when a game is on and will sit and watch it intently.  Well, that is when he is not running around shooting baskets and pretending to be on the floor at Rupp.  And he even gets a little mouthy.  It is really hilarious.

This past Saturday, UK could have really benefited from having Seth on the floor.  They did not have their best game, by a long shot.  They got bested AT HOME by one of the SEC's newest members, Texas A & M.    We did not get home until the last fourteen minutes or so of the game, and what we saw was not pretty. Not pretty at all.

Kentucky could not hit ANYTHING. Really, at one point they had an 8-9 minute scoring drought.  And Texas A & M could not miss anything.  Not to mention, A & M's Turner had the game of his life. Not a good combination for the true blue fan. 

But anyway, although the Cats playing was quite demure, the living room at the Workman house was quite entertaining.  It made the loss a little easier to bear. Seth was just beside himself during the game.  He was coaching his little heart out to no avail. At one point, Seth just threw up his hands and called out to the Cats, " Do you just want the other team to win?"

He continued to coach them down the final stretch, but they were just not listening to Seth's wise instructions.  They fell and fell hard to the Aggies...83 to 71. Ouch.

At the end of the game, Seth stood up, looked at the TV and said, "UK, you are better than this...," and went off to play.  Enough said.

Is it Friday Yet?

A friend gave me a sign plate, thinking that maybe Eric or one of his co-workers might want it for their office. 

The little sign never made it to Eric.  It was intercepted by Biz.


I walked into the kitchen to find this...

Yes, Friday homemade pizza night is still a beloved tradition in the Workman home.

The Final Workman Visits Rupp! A blog by Eric

As I type this Blog the sound of a wireless basketball scoreboard and a roaring audience fill the living room. Why? Because a five-year-old wearing a blue and white number 22 Kentucky jersey is, in his mind, running up and down the Rupp Arena floor 'versing' Marshall University. Ahhh....is this the result of brainwashing family tradition being passed down to my sons?

I believe so.

Actually, it is the result of a father/son pilgrimage and a rite of passage in the Workman family to the home of the Wildcats, Rupp Arena.

When Biz turned five, he, too, made his first trip to Rupp Arena.

It was a blast. Biz sat beside me totally zoned into the game, holding up 3 posters when the Cats drained a trey, and booed when the opposing team tried to concentrate on hitting their free throws. Biz has always been our energetic, up for anything, as long as there was noise and lots of people, kind of kid. Seth, our more reserved son isn't as easily enthused (see our epic failed trips to the circus and Disney on Ice). So when I scored two tickets from Meem and Peep for Seth and I to go to Rupp, I wasn't sure how it would go. But in the days leading up to our December 22nd trip, Tep (our name for Seth) displayed some excitement which made me a very happy Dada.

 In an attempt to avoid holiday travel traffic and UK fan traffic in Lexington, Seth and I left Granny's house in plenty of time to catch the opening song, player intro and fireworks.  We sailed right into the heart of Big Blue Nation without a hitch which gave us ample time to get the full experience. The full experience, which also included Seth having his first ever, very own Ale-8 to drink on the way. (Don't worry non bluegrass folks, who might have never heard of this tasty, unique to Kentucky beverage. It is completely non-alcoholic and a must have when we travel back home.)




Once at Rupp, we walked into a sea of blue clad fans. One of the very first sights we happened upon was a UK Stormtrooper. Note: The blue Stormtroopers are much more timid than his Star Wars ancestors. He allowed us to snap a picture before heading to the Kentucky Korner gift store.

We weaved in and out of the masses and Tep took inventory of the store so that he could pick out the perfect souvenir. He decided on a mini-UK basketball. This was perfect because on the second level concourse, there is the hardwood playing floor that was the former playing floor in Rupp. Seth got to dribble his new ball on the floor. He was so excited and even played the role of commentator while dribbling  "And Kentucky shoots and wins!"




 










One special moment was when we entered the actual arena. He saw the floor and I think that is really when it hit him where we were. This was the same place we saw on TV for so many seasons!

We were immediately approached by an elderly usher with blue framed glasses and a blue blazer. He asked if this was Seth's first time at Rupp. After Seth told him it was, he told us not to move and that he would be right back. He returned a few seconds later with a UK button for Seth. Seth's eyes lit up and he said to me, "This means I am special to the UK players."

It was a sweet moment.

 From the time the lights went out, spotlights danced around the arena, On, On U of K played, and the announcer heralded, 'And now YOUR University of Kentucky WILDCATS!' Seth was 100% zoned in and thrilled to be there. He cheered, he booed (against Marshall), he jumped, he laughed, we shared a Coke and popcorn, and both took in the atmosphere and appreciated just being there together. My little buddy would look up at me and ask questions initially. I showed him where the scoreboard was and how to see who was winning so he could keep up without asking me after every bucket. I pointed out and explained the shot clock, the game clock, everything a Rupp rookie needs to know to be a self-reliant spectator.

With three minutes to go in the first half, I asked Seth if he needed to use the restroom. He said he did and I asked him if he wanted to go now before the crowd beat us to the bathroom, or if he wanted to wait until halftime. He said, "If we go now, will I miss some of the game?" I said yes to which he responded, "then I'll wait until halftime." He didn't want to miss a second. Never mind the Cats were up 33-24 at the half.

He told me his favorite players were numbers 3 (Noel), 15 (Cauley-Stein), and 5 (Polson). I think he just added Polson because he's my favorite player as well. Although, numbers 3 and 15 are not far behind on my list either.

There are certain moments that a father will forever keep in his heart. Watching Biz, and now Seth, at Rupp are memories that I will always carry with me. There were times when I think I missed two to three minutes of the game just watching my little buddy's enamored joy by the action on the floor. He talked my ear off asking all kinds of questions. I was happy to answer them because I know there may come a time when he thinks ole' dad doesn't know much. It was truly one of the highlights of my fatherhood thus far.

When we got into the car after catching some of the Coach Cal show, Seth said, "Can we come to Rupp Arena everyday?" I wish buddy....I wish.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the privilege to be the father to two of the coolest guys I know. And thank you, UK basketball, for providing bonding time that none of us will forget.

A Night Out with Toby Mac

At least once in your life, you should get to experience a Toby Mac concert with Biz.  It is just an  unparalleled event.  We took the boys on December 14th to their very first concert, and I am not sure who Eric and I enjoyed watching more...Toby or Biz.

 

 

It was just so much fun!  Biz's excitement just could not be contained and he was singing and dancing all over the place. 

I love that about Biz.

 

Now, don't get me wrong. A concert with Seth is a lot of fun, too. His excitement is just a bit more reserved. But it is there, and evident in his sweet smile and voice singing (not shouting, like brother) his favorite lyrics.

 

 I love that about Seth.

 

 

 

We weren't quite sure what to expect with our guys.  We didn't have a whole lot of success with our Disney on Ice and Circus excursions at the Bridgestone.   However, we were more than pleasantly surprised with our guys' enthusiasm at the concert.  Music must be the thing with them.  Or at least, Toby Mac's music.

Since the boys listen to Toby Mac's "Eye on It" CD every night at bedtime, they knew almost every song he sung. Yeah, those are not your traditional bedtime lullabies, but the boys love the CD and somehow fall asleep while rocking out to it.  Actually, Caleb played soccer against Toby's son a month or so ago, and at the game, Eric told Toby that our boys fall asleep listening to his CD each night.  Not until after he said it, did we realize that it could have been taken as less than a compliment.  But Toby was gracious and hopefully not insulted.  Especially since Caleb ran up to him after the game and told him how much he loves his CD.  Yeah, it is pretty cool to see Toby Mac at the soccer fields, but what a super treat to see him on the stage!  Woo Hoo!

The boys were even enjoying the opening acts, which were Mandisa, Chris August, Brandon Heath, Jamie Grace, Britt Nicole, and Group One crew.  And so were we.  Seth's only minor protest was, "When are they going to sing MY songs?"  Well, once Toby Mac took the stage, Seth's songs came with him and he was one happy dude. 

As was his dancing machine brother.
 

 

 

 

Let me say it again...We had SO MUCH FUN! 

 

Our kiddos are super cool.  We are just so blessed by them.  Before we even got to the show, the night was filled with adventures.  The boys loved walking through downtown Nashville amid all of the lights and sights on Broadway. It made me realize how little we venture into the city with them these days. We should definitely do it more often!

The highlight for them was definitely touching the "actual Batman building." 

 

 

And posing in front of a big boot. 

It is Nashville after all. 

 

 

 

We had our preconcert meal at Demos in downtown Nashville.   You know, you need your strength for a night of partying!

 

Yep, we are one wild crew!

 

 

What a FUN NIGHT!!!