Turkeyball

 
The season between Thanksgiving and Christmas has become one of my favorites because of the copious amounts of family we get to interact with during this time.  From siblings, to in-laws, to cousins, and relatives of all nature, we enjoy the time together and try to incorporate new activities into the festivities every time we get together.

This year after Thanksgiving, the guys got a chance to let their masculinity (and perhaps boyish dreams) shine through with a rousing game of Slingshot Paintball.  Whether you believe me or not, slingshot paintball is perhaps more fun (and more economical) than paintball with guns.  Imagine staring down your opponent, knowing they have only one shot, but being in the same situation yourself, and having to make a decision to let one fly or call their bluff and rush toward them with wild adrenaline-laced delight!  It was a lot of fun.  The majority of us were 20's-30 somethings but there was a 10 year old and a 50 something playing too which made it feel like a cross-generational game of monopoly; with welts and masks.  However, the main objective for most of the day was to shoot everyone on the other team or sprint like mad to their flag and hobble like crazy back to your base. 

 Gearing up for battle.  Don't worry, the bows were for another game called "Duck and Cover".

 Keeping it "Rural".  Although; those paintball masks could come in handy during a riot, or when the need arises to subdue the local population.

 All smiles before the carnage but family only goes so far.

 The cat really ruins the manliness of this picture.  However, it's absorbent fur came in handy when  suffering a head-shot.

 Game on!  Most of the time we were running and gunning or just running and puking.  Shooting on the run was actually a horrible idea, but it sure got me amped up like a teenager on energy drinks!

 Every good war camera-woman knows the only safe way to photograph destruction like this is by keeping a good trampoline-distance away.

 It was a beautiful fall day for pegging relatives with a semi-frozen .68 caliber paint projectile.

 What an awesome death pose...wait...What's that cuddly kitten doing in the pic again!??  That's it!  We're releasing Rottweilers during next year's game.

 The craziest part was when someone suggested playing "Civil War" paintball.  Take one step toward the enemy for every shot you take.  Not every shot broke, so you weren't "dead" until paint splattered across your body.  I'm don't know how that's analogous to war since I'm pretty sure no matter where you got hit with a musket-ball, you'd tap out.  Most of us took several shots before getting painted at 15 feet.

Whatever the cost to our physical bodies, our relational bond's were strong at the end.  We shared some good welts and cheap shots, but enjoyed the physical challenge and the joyful memories enough that I think for Christmas, we'll be playing with tasers.  (Now where is that kitty?)