Camping World Independence Bowl

NC State played Vanderbilt on December 26 in the Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The boys were ready for the game.  Mark has had his coach's headset on basically the entire time since Santa brought them.  The only time he doesn't is when he is sleeping, eating, or taking a shower.

Jack and Mark figuring out the play calls.

They did a really good job as State dominated the Commodores 41-17 to finish 7-6 for the season.

Christmas Day

Well, Santa came here this year! Yeah!!!  Look at this excitement.  Kids excited everywhere.  Both here and in Kingsport!

Did Santa show up? Yes he did.

I am ready to coach my team. - Mark

Kate, Macy, Jack, and Mark

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we had our annual set of events.  We had lunch with Granna and Grandpa.  Then, we opened gifts.   Everyone enjoys this atmosphere as we enjoy giving gifts to family and especially seeing the excitement of Jack and Mark open the gifts.  After we opened gifts, we went to our Christmas Eve service at church.  This year, the church is in a transitional state as it is in renovation.  Therefore, we had the service in the gym.  After it finished, we came home, ate some dinner, and prepared for Santa.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Ready to open presents

Happy family post-Christmas Eve Service photo

Waiting for Santa

Pal's Frenchie Fries (Elf) sits with Mark

Pal's Frenchie Fries (Elf) sits with Jack

Grayson Allen Sportscenter rant

On the first day of Christmas break, Jack and Mark played Sportscenter anchors discussing the latest tripping incident of Duke's Grayson Allen.  The play had been widely discussed on TV earlier in the day.  So Mark and Jack decided to have their own discussion regarding the situation.  When Daddy got home, he saw the video for the first time.  He told Mommy that if she put it on Facebook, it would go viral.  And it did go viral.  As of this post, it has over 4600 views.

Gingerbread house

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to go to one of our neighbors who lives in our cul-de-sac for her annual Gingerbread House Making Party.   We all like going over to Ms. Joan's house as she normally makes around 50 gingerbread houses that kids and adults from all over the neighborhood can decorate.  

A fun time is always had by all.  Check out all of our new gingerbread houses we made:

Jack, Ms. Joan, and Mark

Terrific Kid

On December 20, Mommy and Daddy went to school to hear and celebrate Jack being named a terrific kid.  (Mark was named terrific kid the previous month but his teacher accidentally forgot to let us know about it).  

We are so proud of Jack (and Mark) for both being "Terrific Kids":

Ms. Hohstadt's description of Jack

Jack getting his certificate

Jack and Mommy

Daddy and Jack

All of the 2nd grade terrific kids

Sleep Partners

Sometimes you need some angels watching over you when you are sharing a bed with your brother.  Sometimes, you need some sport figures to help out.

Canes Win!

On December 4, the family went to their first Hurricanes game of the year. The Hurricanes were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning.   We were sitting upstairs in the upper level.  After the first period, there was no score and the boys wanted to get a snack.  While we were in line, we ran into a friend of ours from West Raleigh who works for the Hurricanes in the front office. He gave us some tickets downstairs at center ice.  We loved those tickets.  And then we loved it even more when Phil Di Guiseppe scored a goal in overtime to give the Canes a 1-0 victory.

Here we are at the game:

Daddy, Mommy, Jack, and Mark

Our view from center ice.

University Club Breakfast with Santa

The next Saturday we went to the University Club for an event called Breakfast with Santa.  We had a nice breakfast buffet and we went and talked to Santa, where the boys told him they wanted a bean bag chair for Christmas.

Here is a picture from the event:

Mark, Santa, and Jack

Visiting Santa at the Alumni Center

On December 1, we went to the NC State Alumni Center, which is named the Park Alumni Center.  This was a free event where we could get pictures made with Santa Claus as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wolf.  It was a great time that we all had together.  There were crafts that Jack and Mark made.  There were appetizers that we ate for dinner.

We really had fun there and are looking forward to getting back there next year.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Losing Poppy

On November 22, while Poppy lost his earthly battle with dementia, he gained entry into heaven.  He was 78 years old and had fought dementia for 13 years.  It was so good to see Poppy 5 days earlier for his birthday.  He had such a good day.  None of us thought he would be gone that fast.  We love Poppy.  He has been such a good husband, father, friend, and Christian.  Here is a link to his obituary:

   David William DeVault

Here is the text:

David William DeVault, 78, of Kingsport, passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Wexford House after a 13 year struggle with dementia. He was born November 17, 1938, in Kingsport. He graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School. He earned his BS Degree in Business Administration in transportation from the University of Tennessee in 1960. While there, he was in Army ROTC, Delta Nu Alpha transportation fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and the Society of American Military Engineers. David served in the Army and the National Guard from March of 1956 until April of 1968. He started his career at Tennessee Eastman Company in January, 1963, in the Transportation Department and retired in June of 1998.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Kingsport and served as a deacon, as Treasurer for 20 years, and on various other committees. He was an active member of the Kingsport Kiwanis Club having served in various capacities including President in 1998. He had perfect attendance for 35 years in the Kiwanis Club.

His hobbies included railroading, photography, UT sports, and his grandchildren. He was a founding member of the East Tennessee Railfan Association and served as the National Director for the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society for 53 years. He loved traveling with the “Clinchfield (Railroad) Mafia” on their annual trips throughout the United States and Canada.

David was preceded in death by his parents; Milton and Florence DeVault; and sister, Betty DeVault Tate.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Charlotte DeVault; son, Craig DeVault and his wife Heather of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Janet Morgan and her husband Jarett of Knoxville; grandchildren, Jack and Mark DeVault, Kate and Macy Morgan; and numerous cousins.

Graveside services will be conducted on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Military Rites provided by Boone Dam VFW Post 4933.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church Bridging Generation Fund, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.

We are deeply grateful to so many who have cared for David during his battle with dementia. A very special thank you goes to Dr. Paul Singh who diagnosed David, the staff at Preston Place II, Dr. Marta Wayt, Nurse Practitioners Michele Armstrong, Felicia Brickey, and Brook Gibson, and the staff of the 5th wing at Wexford House for the care of him during the last 5 years.

Pallbearers will be Robert Caldwell, David Casey, Ron Flanary, Larry Holloway, Paul Hopkins, Tom King, Garry Luttrell, Ken Marsh, Steve Patterson, Bill Sharp, Bob Taylor, and Mike Wayland. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Kingsport Kiwanis Club.

Here are some pictures from the funeral and visitation for Poppy.  We love you Poppy and will see you in heaven one day!

After the birth of Jack and Mark

At Jack and Mark's dedication

At Macy's dedication

At Hilton Head on vacation

2012 Family photo

Daddy's wedding day 

 

Daddy's wedding day

After the funeral service

Flowers at the church for the Celebration of Life service

Craig, Mimi, and Janet

After the Celebration of Life service, family and close friends had a picture after a meal.  

Poppy's birthday

On November 17, Poppy celebrated his 78th birthday.  We had a party for him at Wexford House.  Janet was helping Mom get ready for the party.  She brought the cake up from Knoxville.  I snuck in and surprised Mom when I got there before the party started.

About 20 or so friends of Poppy were there.  He was alert the whole time and had a really good day. I am not sure if he remembered that it was his birthday, but he definitely knew that a lot of his friends and family were there.

Happy Birthday Poppy!

Janet, Dad, Craig, and Mom

Happy Birthday Poppy!

Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor, Dr. Cameron, Mrs. Wayland, Mr. Wayland, Mom, Mr. Caldwell, Mrs. Alvis, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Holloway, Mrs. Caldwell, Mr. Sharp, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Holloway, and Mrs. Briggs

Charlie Brown Christmas

When we see something that the boys would like to go to that isn't a normal place we went to, we sign up for it.  They are fans of Charlie Brown and Snoopy.  So, when we found out that the Raleigh Little Theater was hosting the Charlie Brown Christmas, we decided that this would be a no-brainer.  We purchased tickets and were ready to go.  Granna and Grandpa went with us too.  It was fun to have all six of us there.  We went on a Sunday afternoon, still wearing our church clothes to the show.  It was two shows wrapped up into one.  The first show was a Christmas musical set at a 50's diner.  We heard lots of songs sung by middle and high school kids.  Very good.

Next, we had the Charlie Brown Christmas presentation.  The age of the actors ranged from 9 to 13.  It was really good.  The kids put on a very enjoyable show.  After the show, Jack liked it so much he wanted to get an autograph from Snoopy and Charlie Brown.  Since Jack wanted them, so did Mark.  So cute.

Here are a couple of pictures from the show:

Ready for the show.

Can I get Snoopy's autograph?  - Jack

Charlie Brown with a smirk.

Can I also have your autograph?  - Mark

Christmas Pictures

It is that time of year.  It is the week before Thanksgiving.  That means it is the time to take our Christmas card picture.  As we have done in previous years, we went to Daddy's work and took them in the grass around a set of pretty fall trees.

Here are the pictures that are being used for our Christmas card:

Bedtime Reading

Lately, the boys have started reading a new book before bed each night.  We really like the book they are reading...one chapter at a time.  They are reading the Bible at night.  Mommy and Daddy really like that.

Going through the book of Mark.