Annual After-Thanksgiving Trip & ICE!

Every year, my family has traditionally gone to Dallas the day after Thanksgiving.  The girls hit the sales and the guys golf.  This year Chad & Josh's families weren't able to go, but the rest of us went on and had a fabulous time!!!!  Here are some pics of our weekend...

Mallory, Micah, & Jack at the Gaylord Texan Hotel - a MUST SEE at Christmas!!!

Mallory at the life-size gingerbread house.  This puppy was made out of m&m's!!!

Jack is taking it all in

On Saturday, we went to the Bass Pro Shop.  They have some WONDERFUL activities for kids and free pictures with Santa!!!  I wish I'd had a video camera going as Mallory ran down the aisle and jumped into Santa's arms!  Here she is giving him her wish list...

He started counting on his fingers as she talked.

And I want.....

Now counting on the other hand!!  She had a list a mile long!!   He was a very, very good Santa....  so patient and really took time with each child, just as Santa should!  :-)

Finally, Mallory gave a list for Jack, too, then they got their picture made.

A carousel ride was next.  The kids rode reindeer instead of horses!

Mallory & Nana on the carousel

Micah & Kristin

On Sunday morning, we went to the ICE show at the Gaylord.  It is a 9 degree winter wonderland made entirely of ice!!  Parkas are provided.  :-)  This year's theme was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Here is Jack getting some help with his parka - this was the smallest size available!!

This was about the funniest thing ever!!!  Jack literally toppled over under the weight of this thing!

Me and the kids as we entered Who-ville!

Me & Jack

Kristin, Micah, & Jamy

Mallory just slid down the ice slide - super fun!!

Mallory in front of the huge ice sculptures

Papa & Jack

Papa, Nana, Jack, Mallory, & Micah

Brad, Mallory, me, and Jack in front of the nativity.  It was gorgeous!!

Micah, Mallory, & Jack after the ICE show

It was an incredible weekend!!  :-)