A Visit

Katie loves having visitors.  Last weekend, Matt's family came to visit us in Roanoke for the first time since we moved -- and Katie was counting down the days until they arrived.  Popa and Jake had been to Roanoke many times before, when Matt worked for the baseball team.  But, it was Abu's first trip to the Star City.

On Saturday, we took them down to the City Market to peruse the little shops/boutiques.  We also went to lunch at a place called Thelma's Chicken and Waffles.  Crazy restaurant name, right?!?!  They literally serve chicken and waffles -- together as a dish.  If they name their whole restaurant after a dish, I figure you better order it.  So, Katie and I shared -- and it was quite good. 
 

After the market and some lunch -- we packed in ice skating and a visit to the Hotel Roanoke.  That night after dinner and SweetFrog we headed up to the Star.  It truly is beautiful up there at night with all the city lights twinkling at you.  


If we learned only one thing from the family visit -- its that Katie loves her Uncle Jake (okay, we already knew that).   Jake takes such a sincere interest in his neices and nephew -- to me its a bit surprising for a 21 year old guy.  Over the weekend he taught Katie how to shoot the basketball properly (she will never listen to me!).  In return, she made him participate in a tea party and play dolls in her room.  She also insisted on holding his hand virtually everywhere we traveled. 

 

On Sunday, we stuck close to home.  It was so cold that we only went outside for a little while so Katie could show Popa and Abu how much she has been enjoying her scooter (one of their Christmas presents to her).

Before they left on Sunday she asked when Popa, Abu, and Uncle Jake would be coming back for another sleep over.  We all promised to do it again in the Spring when the weather is a bit nicer and we can do more outdoors....maybe even take in a baseball game, like old times.