ICE 2011- A tradition continues.......

We continued our tradition of going to see the ICE show at the Gaylord this year even though we had to do it without daddy! This was our third year and my first, without my precious helper and boy, oh boy, was he missed! Originally, we thought he could attend but business called!  We tried to find someone to take his ticket and come with us but my parents were attending a concert, and I hated to take a friend away from her hubby on the weekend, and how could I invite a mommy friend and tell her that I didn't have a ticket for her children? So.....off we went on an adventure for sure!

The hardest part was getting the girls are bundled up, with mittens, hats, boots, etc......

Amelia does not like to be bundled up or where shoes or socks for more than five minutes so keeping boots on was a real task!

The girls had to wear parkas on top of everything and Amelia threw herself down onto the ground and screamed when I tried to put hers on. She refused to walk so I had to carry her since I forgot the stroller.....she would not pose for pictures since she wouldn't let me put her down so Amanda posed alone. Amanda really enjoyed it, Amelia....well, not so much. She hates the cold!

Amelia enjoyed the train ride because it was outside of the cold...

One of the workers saw how frustrated I was while waiting for the peguins to come back since the girls wanted to see them that she offered another free train ride, I told her I was happy to pay but she INSISTED it was on her! Nice little blessing!

By the time we got to the end and I wanted a Christmas card pic by the Merry Christmas wreath made of ice......Amelia was crying and Amanda had just stopped crying because she thought I left her in the ICE thing because she didn't see me behind her and panicked. Did I mention how much we missed you daddy?

The girls had a blast once we were in the hotel and made gingerbread cookies and took lots of pics with the characters from the movie.

Amelia ate more candy than she decorated with..

Amelia loved the fountain and didn't want to leave it.

I love this pic!

December fun!

We are so far behind blogging about December fun because we have been so busy having so much of it! We started off celebrating Advent with a Christmas dinner and service at Amanda's school. We do love that place! The girls were soooo attentive during the service and had a blast with friends at dinner!

The girls were standing on the heat vent so their dresses would blow up and they thought it was a scream!

Amelia is funny around Amanda and her friends and tries to act just like she is the same age! It is a scream to watch!

We continued another tradition of going to an annual Tiny Tots concert only this was the FIRST year without our sweet Amanda since she was in school. We really missed her! We arrived super early after dropping Amanda off at school so Amelia had a chance to chat with the principal and they quickly became friends!

They escorted us to the front row so we could have prime seats! I think I will be taking this little charmer to any future concerts or athletic events we attend if a little charm gets you on the front row!)

Amelia loved the music and all of the characters, the kids in the concert allowed her to play several of the instruments which thrilled her!

I had such a great time watching her expressions throughout the concert. Kids are soooo much fun to watch!

We all had such a great time!

Amelia put on her shy face though when it was time to meet up with some of the characters afterwards and wouldn't take pictures with them.

Frosty!

Pooh with his honey!

Rudolph!

The Lion King! I think his name is Simba but I have only seen the movie once years ago so I am not up on it!

Mickey and Minne were there!

And Santa and Mrs.Claus too! I do love this annual event and am so proud of all of these young kids learning an instrument and sharing it with the tiny tots! The only sad part of the the whole concert was there is no mention of the real reason we celebrate Christmas or even the words, "Merry Christmas" it is always "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greeting's"....not sure why I should be shocked or disappointed I should know that just because we were founded as a Christian Nation Under God, that doesn't mean a thing today. What a sad reality.