Happy “last day of 2012″ everyone! I plan on posting some of my thoughts and reflections on the last year and ideas for the year ahead, but that can wait until at least tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed your last weekend of the year and all of those final holiday celebrations. I had a great time with my family on Saturday. It all began at this little duckpin bowling alley…
I hadn’t been there for years, but actually used to bowl on a league there when I was a kid! The funny things is, it seemed so big to me back then… and it’s actually very small! Between the 13 of us, we pretty much took over the place!
Most of my siblings and their significant others were able to make it- those that were not were missed! But, we still had an incredibly fun time. The kids were also really excited (and even more excited about these holiday headbands from my mom), and that made it even more fun.
Greg and I were definitely up for a little friendly competition (even though both of use are pretty lousy duckpin bowlers!).
At least we look super cool in those shoes.
Duckpin bowling is different than regular 10 pin because it uses much smaller bowling balls (as modeled here by my lovely sister-in-law, Tiffany).
I think it’s actually much more difficult because it’s hard to get a good grip on the ball (unless you have gigantic monster hands).
My mom divided us up onto teams of 3 or 4 and the kids were split up amongst the four teams. We also put the bumpers up (otherwise I’m pretty sure that we would have all just landed gutter balls). There was a lot of smack-talking and even more laughs. 
Check out my awesome bowling form.
The kids were so fun to watch- they got so excited!
(My niece Lillian is only two, so we all helped her out a bit. She did carry the ball herself and yell “go ball go!” as it went down the lane.)
As you can see… we are not very good (although I did end that game with a spare and a strike!).
On the second game I got a 97. With bumpers up. Yup.
My mom had prizes for all of the kids and for the highest and lowest scores. Greg was the lucky winner of a Santa hat!
After bowling, we all went back to my mom and stepdad’s house for dinner. We made tacos and fajitas- I never get tired of Mexican food!
My gorgeous plate:
We hung out and played some “brain” games, of which my mom had more prizes for. We teamed up for these- they were a little challenging!
Greg and I were on a team and won both games. Awww yeah.
We got to play with my parents’ new-ish dog, Murphy. He’s such a goofball!
And then finally, the kids opened some presents that Greg and I had brought. More toys! Yes!
Lillian opened up her Dora and pony right away!
Finally, it was time to say goodbye and head back home to the dogs. What a wonderful day with my family- it just reminds me once again how lucky I am to be a part of it!
How do you and your family celebrate the holidays together? Have you ever been duckpin bowling?
Great day! I’ve never heard of duckpin bowling – “regular” bowling is a pretty big deal in Wisconsin. I used to live above a bowling alley in college so my roommates and I bowled often.
Bowling is so fun! Glad you guys had a great time. And I agree with you–Mexican food never gets old. How is that?!?
I love the brain games! Where did your Mom find those? I’d love to get my hands on some.
I’ve never seven seen that type of bowling. Looks fun! Even more fun with the headbands, for sure!
I haven’t been bowling in so long! And those balls are tiny (haa) but, I kinda do have giant monster hands, so maybe I’d actually be decent at duckpin bowling
Glad you had such a fun day, Lauren.
We call “duckpin” bowling “candlepin” bowling. I never heard of it until I moved up North though. It is so much harder than I thought it would be. Looks like a good time was had! You are rockin’ those shoes for sure.
Duckpin bowling is sooo Bawl-more (: I never heard of it until I lived in Maryland and dated a native!
Awww, how fun! We haven’t been brave enough to take our kids bowling, hopefully soon though!
Happy New Year!!
Oh how fun!! I am even worse at bowling. Like SO bad.
Nice work on winning the word games!
[...] Family Day Out [...]
So fun! I want to go bowling
Love you! Happy New Year!
I have never been duckpin bowling…but considering my lack of skill–it is really all luck of the ‘roll’ with me–I’m not sure if I would be good or bad.
LOVE that y’all play games together. We were having quite a good run of Apples to Apples challenges in my family, and we used to do lots of puzzles and play card games, but we, sadly have lost the practice in more recent years. [Although my cousins had some crazy ping pong matches going on over Thanksgiving this year.]