ICE!

In honor of Grandma's birthday, we ventured to Gaylord Palms for the weekend last weekend with the Beaman, Rios, and Clark crews.  On Friday night, we met for dinner at Wreckers sports bar and walked around the giant hotel, marveling at the Christmas decor. The kids also enjoyed running around on the giant green space behind the restaurant. On Saturday, we shared a nice brunch together before checking out the ICE! exhibit (so impressive, and Reid even went down the ice slide on his own!) and Christmas Market, mailing letters to Santa, enjoying hot chocolate, making new friends at Build-a-Bear (Reid named his Olaf snowman, "OoAh" and is obsessed with the guitar accessory he picked out), and running around the hotel. Andy and I then walked Reid around outside in his stroller for a while until he (finally) fell asleep. Once Reid was in slumber land, Andy and I joined my sisters, brother-in-laws, Reid's cousins, and my dad by the pool until Reid began to wake up. Next up - story time with Ms. Claus, decorating/eating gingerbread men, and more running around the hotel like crazy people. Later that night, the adults enjoyed dinner at The Moor, while the kids enjoyed torturing (ha, kidding?) their babysitters. Before returning to the crazy kiddos (again, kidding?), the adults were able to watch the Cirque:Unwrapped show in the hotel atrium. What an exciting and nerve-wracking show!  I was even able to sneak in some frozen yogurt before venturing back upstairs. The next morning, Andy, Reid, Grandpa, and I enjoyed breakfast at La Flor, where Reid was able to hug on Charlie Brown and Lucy. Then, it was time to pack up and hit the road. While I packed, Andy and Reid enjoyed the giant pool.  Next stop: New Port Richey for the annual Ackley Christmas!

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for a great weekend!