Remember how last year we decided to be super festive with the Slaughters and ride the North Pole Express Train? And remember how the kids loved it but the grown-ups thought it was way over-priced and pretty lame? And now, we laugh about the whole experience…because, you have to laugh about a train ride that advertises that it’s full of Christmas cheer, but really just takes you behind industrial buildings and a Walmart ;).
So, this year, Erika suggested we go to Ice at the Gaylord Texan. Six kids, five degrees, lots of ice, and slides? Yes! Sign us up!
I mean…this is just us in the lobby. C-R-A-Z-Y.
I have two words for you…Ebby Lee.
Before you go in, they give you parkas because it is so COLD! Online it says they keep it at 9 degrees but the employees were telling us 5. Nine, five…I mean, so cold that I was sure I had frostbite. The theme this year was Around the World…which I loved :)!
The ice slide was the biggest hit! The kids went down it approximately 683 times.
See little Ashby and Bowen going down? Sweet three year olds!
Ashby loved it!
There goes Andrew!
Four parents in parkas
The ice sculptures were amazing. Ashby was happy when she found China :).
The kids in the ice sled!
The last thing you see before you leave is the manger scene. The real meaning of Christmas is right there in that manger.
We thawed out and walked through the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort. The Shull five…
…and the Slaughter five.
Our official Ice picture! I mean…we’re a happy, crazy bunch!
We finished off our night with Mexican food! Love this crew so much! Also, please note Ashby’s expression. I’m pretty sure she’s scared of Kensington here and holding on to Bowen for dear life…who looks a little frightened himself ;).
That was Ice!
Alrighty then ladies…
…Meal Planning Monday is up! Five simple suppers to help you get through this crazy week of December. Click here to see them all.
xoxo
Erika Slaughter says
Hahahahaha!!!! Ashby's face?! Hilarious!!! Hands down that gets my vote over the Polar Express any day-even though I'm so glad we had that adventure! #imtheonlyslaughtersayingthat hahahaha!!!
Love on the Lake says
Nice! Husband's company party was at Gaylord last year and we snuck away to visit Ice! It was Nutcracker themed so I was in heaven (that's the theme of my blush & gold tree every year.) He won Husband of the Year award when we came back and I was the wifey that got to get parka frozen fun times!
kelly says
Wow! That looks like such fun – cold fun : )
Christi says
How fun!! Wish we had something like that here!
Narci says
So fun!!! Looks like everyone had a blast!!!
kimm atwood says
Looks like a great night !
Linsley Schneider says
Those ice slides look AWESOME! Great memories! Happy Monday!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
So we did the Polar Express several years ago as well….and I was not at all impressed with the "magic" of it all as we were riding through an abandoned trailer park! But THIS looks much better! Fun pics!
Laci Murray says
Does the parka they give you keep the kids dry for the slides etc?? I'm just envisioning my children wet and cold but they are dying to go to ours here in Nashville. 🙂
Caravan Sonnet says
This looks like so much fun! What beautiful memories that you have created!! 🙂 The ice slide looks like so much fun and love that they have the manger scene at the end!!
🙂 Rebecca
Paula says
Our Polar Express was magical! Truly wonderful! This looks equally fun! We have a Gaylord in Nashville! I must try it some time!
T
Your bunch looks HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!
Kelly Stamps says
That looks so fun!!!! Except I hate being cold so I'm not sure if I would like it. My kids would!
Happy Green Home says
Looks likes so much fun! 🙂
Andrea K says
That looks awesome! We normally have snow & cold temps like that here in NY but this year it's like 50! I wish we had something like that around here!
Mother Henn says
What fun! Side note: I love how you and Andrew are holding hands in the midst of all the kids in that last pic! So sweet!
Charla Liedahl says
WE LOVE ICE!!! Our family has been twice to the Gaylord in Nashville (we live outside ATL) and it's definitely a holiday highlight for us. So fun! Glad y'all liked it!
Wendy says
Great pictures! Every time I go to the Ice exhibit at the National Harbor Gaylord, my phone freezes up after the first picture. You had twice as many slides and a better theme…I guess everything is bigger and better in Texas! =)
Tracy says
That looks like so much fun! Did you do the slide? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! No! Andrew was the only grown up in our group to slide. I was seriously standing there thinking that at any moment a finger or toe was going to snap off!
Three Gals and a Guy says
An ice slide! Amazing! That looks so fun! I love the pic of Ashby in "China" =) Thanks for sharing, Happy Monday!
Denisa Carrell says
Is it the Polar Express in Palestine? We've talked about going, but maybe not now! We love the Gaylord but it's COLD!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We did the one in Grapevine last year. It was not worth the money!
Summer says
Shay, you're family is just adorable. All of your pictures are precious, but the one that stands out the most to me is the very last one. You and your husband holding hands is such a sweet site. I love that after three kids you still have a strong affection for each other. Very rare these days! Way to be a great example of what a strong Christian couple should look like.
Queen In Between says
Fun! I've always wanted to go do this.
Jenny says
It all looks like so much fun! 🙂
Megan says
Soooo fun!!! We went pre-kids and had a blast!!!!
Briana Lee says
Ashby wearing that little parka is absolutely adorable!
Briana
http://youngsophisticate.com
Little Bits of Joy Blog says
We have a Polar Express here in Oregon too… and we went one year and the train was a bit shabby, and the route was through some old train yards full of odd rusty metal things… so big let down for us too. That Ice place looks amazing! I wish we had something like that here, my kids would be down the slide 683 times as well. 🙂
Leigh (Balancing By Faith) says
What fun!! I love the kids in their parkas — so cute!!
Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost says
We went to ICE this weekend at the Nashville Opryland! The theme there was The Nutcracker! We love it and try to go each year 🙂 So glad you all enjoyed it!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Elaine Welte says
I have got to make it to the Gaylord Texan next time in Dallas!
Elise @ Cheers Yall says
Y'all are the cutest!!! Oh what fun! xx
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
There's a Gaylord Opryland Hotel 2 hours from where I live and I love going at Christmas to look at the lights. I've never done the Ice exhibit because I've never worn enough warm clothes but maybe this year I will! Looks so fun!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
The Nelson Happenings says
Looks like so much fun !!!! Love all the photos. Happy Monday.
Debbie says
I love that they have the nativity!
Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says
OH my goodness what an amazing place! I wish we had something like that around here! So much fun!
Jamie Kubeczka says
So fun. I love your blog! And man am I glad to hear this.. we were just about to book the Polar Express, but I have been really wanting to visit the Gaylord Texan. Thanks for making my decision easy! 😉
D and R says
I love your shirt in the last picture……is it from Nordstrom?
Mix and Match Mama says
J Crew!
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
That place looks like to much fun and reminds me to make sure I go ice skating before Christmas! That's the only "ice" event happening here in Miami. And that recipe you're sharing looks and sounds so yummy! I wish you lived around the corner from me so that I can come over for supper! Enjoy the rest of your week sweetie and I'm so happy about Sean and Catherine too! That's pretty awesome!
Saz says
That looks like so much fun!
RoseMary Norman says
It's a shame that you don't live between Akron and Cleveland Ohio from Nov. thru Dec. The Polar Express there is part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) and it has been putting on the Polar Express for about 25 years. They may have been the first. What is awesome is that it runs through the Cuyahoga Valley Parkland. Most of the ride is through dense forests and on bridges crossing the Cuyahoga River. There is one housing development on a hillside and down and up to the railroad tracks that goes all out in the outdoor lights ( like you and your father decorate). The children are told some of the elves live here.
Then the town of Peninsula, Ohio becomes The North Pole for 2 months. It is decorated beyond belief and 1-200 elves greet the train from outside every night for about 45-50 days. There are numerous other characters besides elves including Raggedy Ann and Andy, and many Marching Soldiers, etc to name a few. Santa appears on a white sleigh pulled by white horses (because the elves are resting for Christmas)! And when this Santa mounts the train there are up to 15 other Santas hidden on board who also appear (one for each car). Amazing!!!
Your family of 5 should venture to Ohio before the kids get too old! There is much to see here: The Football Hall of Fame(esp for Andrew), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Science Museum to name a few!
You and your family would really enjoy this version of The Polar Express!!
RoseMary Norman says
Oops I forgot the Cavaliers wth Lebron James (great Coliseum) and the Indians baseball team -boo- I prefer the NY Yankees, and two ski resorts: Boston Mills and Brandywine, and in the summer there is an awesome outdoor Pavilion for musical entertainment, and Put-n-Bay a small island in Lake Erie!
RDority says
I so agree with you about the Polar Express. A huge disappointment. We still joke that we got to see the OB GYN office under construction not once, but twice. My kids were little and they very easily figured out that we just ended up where we started. At least we can laugh about it, now.
Morgan Eckert says
Hey Shay! Quick question- do you use anything for teeth whitening? Thanks so much!
Jaren says
I'm glad you said that about the train ride. I was going to do it next year, but we will just do all the other stuff at the Gaylord instead. Looks like fun! Some of those pictures of the kiddos are hilarious!
Aubrey says
That ice place is pretty much the awesomest thing I've ever seen. Texas is only a hop, skip, and a jump away, right??
JJaz says
Ice looks fun! Love your purse from the last group pic in this post. May I know which design it is? (Other than LV, hehe)