Opryland Hotel

Mason had a half day of school Friday and John and I played hookie.   We were both able to walk Mason home from school around noon and loaded up the car to head to Nashville.

We planned a fun weekend that the kids could really enjoy.  We had a room at Opryland Hotel Friday night.  It really is a neat place.  It is HUGE and beautifully decorated at Christmas.  

We were so excited to find our elves had left us all gloves for the Ice exhibit. 

We may have gotten lost once or twice trying to find our room.  Mason was super excited to see what a hotel room was all about.  I guess we have always stayed in a condo when out of town.  We walked in (after hours of anticipation) and he says, "it's really short...is this it?!"  

After taking the mile hike to our room, we needed a coffee Sprite break.  

All that walking put poor Brody in a bad mood....

But what better way to cheer him up?!  Our best friends/cousins came too!  Once we were all there, we walked around a bit, saw the fountains, and then had dinner at the Mexican restaurant in the hotel.  The kids were much happier once they filled their bellies.


After dinner, we headed back to the rooms for a hotel party.
Aunt Becca got the kids all matching elf pjs.  

I mean how cute is this?!?!  

These three will probably get into all kinds of trouble.  =)

We did LOTS of jumping on the beds.  

And turned the lights off and music up loud.  They had the time of their lives.  

Saturday was filled with lots of fun.  

We started with Ice.  We brought our own gloves and hats (I would HIGHLY recommend this) to help stay warm.  Nine degrees is rather chilly.  

It was pretty amazing.  This is all ice....every bit of it.  

About halfway through, they had slides.  This turned out to be a bad idea.  After waiting in the lines just standing still, all the kids got cold.  Once they slid down, they were done.  We pretty much ran through the second half.  

John had to have a turn also. 

We thawed up inside and took a train ride.  They were feeling much better here. 

They also had snow tubing.  It was a blast. 

Check out Brody's face....

Next up was ice skating.  We decided to just have the four of us try.  I thought this was one of the funnest parts!  I love ice skating. 

Mason, on the other hand, wanted to love it...

And he did well when someone was gliding helping him.  

But poor guy struggled all day. 

 He was a good sport though, never got too upset.  Just kept saying "I am terrible at this!"  

I think it is more of a girl thing.  We saw several grown men take baaaaad falls.  

Our viewing crowd. 

We were working on our twirls with Reese.  She was like a pro out there. 

After all that fun, we ate pizza in the hotel, took a couple of pictures, and headed back to Memphis.  

Look at all of those babes' tired eyes!  Pure exhaustion.  

These two said multiple times, "This is the best day of my life!"

No matter how expensive that place was....it was totally worth it!

Successful trip = quiet drive back home. 

Saturday was actually my birthday, but we had talked about celebrating it Sunday.  No reason to take away from a fun weekend about the kiddos.  But they surprised me with a balloon and card when we got home.  

Sunday we had my birthday dinner with my parents.
 My sweet parents got us Sugar Bowl tickets.  How clever.  Sugar in a bowl (a cute bowl if I say so myself). 

We had an early dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant.  

We had way too much food and great conversation.  That's my idea of a perfect birthday dinner. 

We, of course, had to go to my parents for cake. 

I had a couple of helpers to blow out my candles. 

What a weekend.

Our elves were busy too....

Mason stayed with my Mom this week and helped her run errands.  While at the store, Mason spotted a gift he wanted to give Brody.  He thought of this all by his sweet little self.
It is wrapped and he cannot wait to give it to him.

Brody's last day of school until Christmas break!

We came home and celebrated with watching Home Alone.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...although, if it could not be 75 degrees outside, it would feel like Christmas too!

Tis' the Season

Leroy and Michealangelo have been up to no good around here.
They tied up the boy's chairs.  

And helped get the bad guy. 

Mason wrote out his Santa list.  

Skylands. Legos. Batcave. 

The bat cave is for Brody.  He wanted to make sure Santa knew he wanted one.  

Last Friday I brought lunch for Mason and his teacher. 

 He was excited for a couple of reasons: 

1. I came to his school.  

2. I brought him Chickfila.  

3. He was first in line to walk back to class after lunch. If your parent brings you lunch, the table you sit at is closet to the exit door.  

Its the small things.  

Brody had his school program last Friday.  He could not stop giggling when he saw me and Mickey Mouse.  He just couldn't believe we were there.  

After a song or two, it got a tad boring in Brody's eyes....

We went back to his classroom where the kids had a party.  

And the big man himself showed up.  

Friday night, John and I went to his Christmas work party.  

Saturday morning we went to the Stark family Christmas in Mississippi. 

Mason tried his best to get down some of the food....

There was a ton of land and the kids played and played.  

We had Kyle's surprise birthday party Saturday night.  Busy weekend!

Mom and the boys decorated the most delicious Christmas cookies ever.  Homemade dough and icing is the best. 

I had John move the elves while the boys and I were out of the house (since I completely forgot to move them).  We walked in the house and the boys ran upstairs to see John where he was pretending to be asleep.  All of a sudden I hear all kinds of commotion and had no idea what was happening...

The elves had "drawn" on John's face.  

Thankfully, they thought about using washable markers. 

Mason had been begging every day since we threw the baby shower to roast marshmallows in the fire pit.  Batman wanted s'mores too.  

Sunday night was the GBC Choir Christmas Concert.  It was beautiful and just loud enough to drown out Brody.  =)

Our elves getting into the candy.

But still not as good as Mrs. LaVelle's Rudy and Dash.
They are the best!

We had our first incident report at school.
Mason ran smack dab into a pole on the playground.
Apparently it happens all the time.  He is fine, just a bruise now.

Brody's school pictures came in.
He just LOVES his school, teacher, and friends.

Couldn't use the downstairs bathroom!

Mason had pj day at school yesterday.  Everyone brought in donuts and they watched the Polar Express.  He said it was one of the best days ever.

This is the ONLY way this child will go to bed...

Mason had his Christmas party in his class today.  I was able to get someone to work for me in the afternoon.  He was so excited I was there and gave me about ten hugs.  He said I never go to their craft days (which are NEVER on my days off) so he didn't think I would be able to come today.  Broke my heart.

We built gingerbread houses.

He made his look like a snowman.

They ate and then played a Christmas bingo game.

It has been a busy month, but it won't be long and it will all be over.
So glad we are getting to enjoy each day.

We have a big surprise for the boys tomorrow and I can't wait!