An Arctic Experience

You might remember a previous post from here about Ashlan and I venturing out to the Gaylord Texan to see the ICE! Exhibit. We had such a good time, that we thought it was definitely worth going back and taking Mackenzie and Katie with us, who both had never been. Mackenzie, being from the warm temperatures of Florida, was hoping to experience cooler weather here in Dallas - but I wanted to make sure she experienced the COLDEST temperatures Dallas had to offer! And that is why we decided to spend the day at the Gaylord Texan!

The atrium of the hotel/convention center is decorated lavishly with Christmas. Mackenzie couldn't believe all the balconies surrounding the atrium were hotel rooms. Staying a night at the Gaylord Texan is now on her bucket list! (and it's on mine, too, actually)

We took a walk down the river walk which is meant to resemble the RiverWalk in San Antonio.

The life-size gingerbread house

Ashlan has the world's biggest sweet tooth. Does this picture surprise you?

Facts about the Gingerbread House

A train exhibit made out of candy, too

Entertainment all over the atrium

Now to get ready for the 14 degree temperature in the ICE! Exhibit! Thankfully, we brought gloves and wore our boots - because it was colder than I remember from a couple weeks ago!

Last time Ashlan and I went it was on a week day, during school hours. So she and I were only among a small handful of people. But yesterday, being a Friday, it was PACKED! And that means there was a crowd IN the exhibit. Let's just say we were in the exhibit, 14 degree temperatures, for 45 minutes! Our toes, fingers, and faces were frozen by the time we exited!

We were frozen by this point...Red noses and all!

Mackenzie trying out the ice outhouse!

Ashlan

Mackenzie and Kate just loved the Ice Nativity! It is definitely stunning in person!

After we exited the exhibit, we HAD to stop and each get a cup of hot chocolate! After we warmed up, we decided it was time for lunch. There are several places to eat at the Gaylord, but somehow we opted for a Sports Bar and Grill. The kids were starving! After eating hamburgers and buffalo wings, we had to sit around and rest. We all ate way too much!

BUT by the time we made the 40 minute commute home, our bellies were craving something sweet. So we stopped by Yogurtville!

And after spending the day in freezing temperatures, the kids begged to eat outside in the 60 degree sun!

Then once we made it home, after a fun day at the Gaylord Texan, we played more games. I've never played this many games in a matter of a couple of days. This time we picked Sequence! Note to Darin and Dana - Mackenzie really likes this game and is VERY good at it. You need to surprise her with it one day soon! Maybe a birthday present! I think she is undefeated!

By dinner time, we were still full from lunch and yogurtville, so we opted to make some home made popcorn for dinner and watch a movie. They made the popcorn themselves.

Movie time was just what the doctor ordered. We needed this relaxation!

Then after the movie, we took our traditional late night walk in the neighborhood. I love listening to the girls conversations while we walk. It was like I wasn't even there. They discussed celebrities, marriage, children, school, etc.... I just love seeing these cousins together!

We have a few fun things planned today, most importantly, Mackenzie getting to spend some quality time with her grandparents! Will be back later today for another update! Happy New Year's Eve!

A Special Visitor!

Cousin Mackenzie flew from Florida to Dallas to spend 5 days with us! This was her first time to fly alone, so we wanted to make her arrival extra special. Kate and Ashlan decided to make some personalized posters to greet her with when she arrived!

We got to the airport early (because we were so excited!) But that also meant we had to sit around for quite some time.

But eventually, her flight landed and the cousins were reunited!!! I wasn't sure how Mackenzie would be when she got off the flight. Did she have a good flight? Was it a bad, rough flight that left her very worried and uncomfortable? (can you tell I worry too much?) Thankfully, she was ALL smiles when we saw her, very talkative, laughing with her cousins, and ready to get this vacation started!

I knew she had woken up early that day to commute to the airport, adding to the fact that they serve you no food on the airline - therefore, I knew we would be stopping for lunch on the way home. I asked her in the car "name one place you want to make sure you eat at during your stay here" Her immediate response was "Which Wich!" So between the airport and home, we stopped for lunch there!

Once home, the girls jumped right into playing some new boardgames!

Since we did not have Katie during Christmas this year, we were ready to celebrate and give her her gifts. We made a quick run to Christina's (our local Tex-Mex place) for dinner, then came back to have Christmas for Katie! She got lots of fun gifts!

During this post, I just can't go without mentioning Bismark. It's like he never forgot Mackenzie. Bismark just loves the attention from her!!

Sweet cousins!

My parents and sister even stopped by and we ended up ALL playing the game Apples to Apples! Yep, all 8 of us played!

By 9pm, everyone's eyes were closing. I think Mackenzie fell asleep on the couch a few times. I know she was exhausted. But the girls had a good nights sleep and today we have some FUN things planned!!!! I'll be back tonight to post some pictures of todays fun.

Sorry about the unclear pictures above. I was using my phone to take pictures today.

Neighbor/School Gifts

I found such an easy, practical and cute idea for neighbor gifts this year. It was just a roll of wrapping paper with a tag attached to it. The tag says:

"The best GIFT around a Christmas Tree is the PRESENCE of family and friends, all WRAPPED up in each other."
Or you could say "Wrap Yourself in the Holiday Spirit."

This was the example I saw and really wanted to duplicate.

Here was my version

And 5 out of the 12 that I made!

I left a roll on several neighbors doorsteps, then gave one to each lady that works in my daughters school office. This is a gift I figured EVERYONE could use! We ALL need wrapping paper during this time of year! And everyone just loved the gift, too!

Jingle - our Elf

Jingle is our Elf on the Shelf. This year was either the second or third year we've had him. And he brings us so much entertainment and laughs! Each night Jingle would report back to Santa about how well Ashlan was behaving....then when he returned early in the morning (while we were still sleeping) he would be up to the craziest antics! I couldn't wait to see Ashlan's reaction each morning when she found Jingle~ Here are some of my favorites...

He arrived the day after Thanksgiving. He had his book out for Ashlan to read and he was enjoying some popcorn and soda while watching tv

We spent one weekend at the lakehouse. Jingle surprisingly showed up there too. One morning he was fishing (goldfish). It all makes sense that he was fishing, because we do a lot of that at the lake!

Ahhhh....A relaxing Elf Bath (marshmallows)

He decided to ride around on an airplane outside of Ashlan's room one morning

Making snow angels (flour)

Flying around the tree moving ornaments around (fishing line from the upstairs railing)

Making funny faces on pictures in frames!

Enjoying some colder temperatures in the fridge!

Playing with Sweetheart the g. pig

A game of Tic Tac Toe with a gal pal

He played some pool. Didn't make any balls in the pockets, but did form a heart for Ashlan

Jingle to the rescue. Big Bear wasn't feeling too good.

Reading Twelve Days of Christmas in Texas to some friends

Roasting marshmallows with his gal pal

Feeding the fish

Acting silly in the pantry and drinking some syrup

He was ready to cuddle and get some good sleep

Making some elf donuts (cheerios)

And on the last night (when he was scheduled to leave the next), he painted a portrait of himself to leave for Ashlan.

We will really miss Jingle. He is the best Elf! Look forward to seeing him again next year!!!!