AHL Outdoor Winter Classic

We went to the AHL Outdoor Hockey Classic on January 20th (to get out of town for the Inauguration) for the match up against the Hershey Bears and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  The Hershey Bears is a minor league professional team that feeds into our beloved Washington Capitals.  Unfortunately, they lost in overtime, but it was fun!

The Bears come out to the ice to the roar of a bear.

Dueling Mascots (Nickolas got a puck from Cocoa the Bear!)

Hershey, PA

We're going to CHOCOLATE WORLD!

We're here!

On the ride through a virtual chocolate factory.

Watching the Hershey Kisses come off the line.

At the Hotel - Cocoa, the Hershey Bear hockey team mascot.

Sports bar/restaurant at hotel.

Hockey is BACK!

The great 8!

Nickolas making friends with the cheerleaders at the opening day of practice.

Nickolas and Slapshot

Nickolas and Grandpa

With mommy who was giddy for the new season

Getting Slapshot's autograph.

Welcome back WASHINGTON CAPITALS!

Angelina Ballerina Play

The girls went to see a local play of Angelina Ballerina in McLean.  The 50 minute performance was perfect for Flora and Lucy.  Lucy loved it so much she wouldn't leave and had a fit.  

Hail to the Redskins Playoff Effort

Mommy and Nickolas went to the final Redskins game of the year, which happened to be a post-season playoff game.  Unfortunately the Redskins lost, but the week before, Daddy, mommy and Nickolas witnessed the Skins beating the Dallas Cowboys which brought them into the post season for the first time in a long time.  It was quite exciting, we were spoiled this past season.

High-fiving all of this buddies.

Check out this cookie.

Enjoying the marching band.

Marching band.

National anthem

Singing "Hail to the Redskins"

His buddy throughout the season.

She chit chatted with Nickolas for a while and wished him the best of luck in the new year.

A Magical Stroll Through a Park

Meadowlark Gardens had the neatest light display.  It's was about a half mile trail through the woods, around the hills, over stream, past a pumpkin patch, through flowers, and a choreographed light display where Lucy danced.  Can't wait to see it again next year!

Happy Birthday Grandma and Happy New Year!

Grandma ended up making her own birthday cake, but with help.

Happy Birthday!

Happy New Year (with sparkling grape juice)!

Winter Break Skate Lessons

Lucy took a joint skate class with Nickolas over Christmas break.

He took off gliding...

While Lucy tried so very hard.

The wall can be such a relief.

They had a fun and helpful coach for two days.

Here we are on Day 2.

Then we all got to skate together for the public skate afterwards.

And Lucy was doing lap after lap.

Group hug

Ta da, now we're figure skating!