Christmas in the City

I had been wanting to take the boys into the city to show them the Christmas decorations and let them see how Christmas in a big city feels.  You know, kind of like that feeling we all get when we see pictures or movies depicting Christmas in New York City or some other big city.  It just feels kind of magical.  Our city started a little tradition in recent years with an ice skating rink set up outdoors in the city, and I thought Evan might like a chance to try it.  He has been working so hard on being brave this year and has accomplished so many goals by doing so.  Mommy sort of forgot she is not in great shape right now and ice skating is pretty intense, but she managed okay.  It was actually a really warm night so although it didn't help it feel more like Christmas, it was a pleasant evening for walking.  We ate dinner at a fun little place in the center of our city called Epicentre that has a bunch of fun restaurants and hang outs around a big open square in the middle of the tallest buildings in the city.  Then, we took some pictures of the Christmas decorations and walked to the ice skating rink.  After ice skating, we made our way back to see the big tree in front of the Bank of America building (Charlotte's tallest "skyscraper") and another beautiful display of lights.  It was a fun night in the city!

The big tree in the middle of the city in front of the Bank of America building. 

The boys posing by the big tree. Evan was trying to be so cool in all of these pictures with his hands in his pockets and not really smiling.  

It had been a long day, and we were all a little tired by this point. 

Someone did take our family picture. 

Brody really enjoyed the lights and was much more into posing for pictures than his brother. 

Cutie!

Cheese!

He just ran up to this tree to pose for pictures. 

This little corner across the street from the Bank of America building looks so romantic with the trees all lit up.  It is across from our big theater hall where Broadway shows are held so it feels a little like our own Lincoln Center all lit up for Christmas. 

Me and the boys 

You couldn't really tell in the dark pictures that there was a big waterfall and fountain behind us. 

Hard to tell here, but I had a death grip on Brody's hand because we were standing precariously on a little "island" with water all around us in this sunken water fountain display.  

A little better picture to show the festiveness of these colored lights in the trees. 

I just love the romantic look of this clock decorated for Christmas.  Doesn't it feel like something from a movie? 

Ice Skating time

There we are getting started.  The first pair of skates I tried on were too narrow, and my feet were killing me after I went around the rink once. 

And we won't even discuss how bad my back was killing me.  I am definitely not as young as I once was, but this was ridiculous! 

Evan had a good time and really made me so proud so I can't complain. 

My little skater. No doubt he'll master this new skill soon too.  He wants us to take him to our indoor ice skating rink soon.  It is actually right down the road from our house. 

I love the look of the strings of lights over the ice.  It was such a warm night and there were so many skaters that there was actually a ton of water from the melted ice on the rink, but the Zamboni wasn't being used very frequently since so many people were there to skate.   

We stayed around the edge, and if Evan got a little shaken, many kind individuals would lend him a hand. 

After going around the rink a few times, Mommy had to call it a night. 

The festive tree in Epicentre. 

Epicentre with the Bank of America building over it. 

Me and my boys with the pretty snowflake tree