We just returned from a fun little family road trip. It allowed us to leave behind the tasks that easily eat up so much of the time leading to Christmas, and really experience the joy of the season for a few days together! I'm so glad that we did it!
I am writing this blog post while Corey is gone with my camera, so our family pictures will have to be added later! :)
We left on Monday afternoon. Our first stop was in Memphis for one short, but fun evening. After checking into our hotel, we went to a sushi restaurant and had a delicious dinner.
As we were walking back, we passed the FedEx Forum, where the Memphis Grizzlies were several minutes into the first half of a basketball game. There were some men selling tickets out in front, and because we were already late, Corey got a great deal on some tickets, and we went in and watched the rest of the game. It was a huge, impressive arena, and we all had a fun time.
After the game, we walked back to our hotel, and called it a night.
The next morning, we ate breakfast, and hit the road for Nashville!
We were so excited as we arrived at the Opryland Hotel, checked in and got unpacked. We spent the next few hours taking in the amazing sights at the hotel, eating a late lunch, and then taking Carson to the "Winter Wonderland" area. We got to watch him have milk and cookies as he listened to Mrs. Claus read Christmas stories, then he rode the Christmas train, and finally, he got to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what he would like for Christmas. (He said that he wanted a remote control truck!) He was soooo excited to get to visit with Santa!
That night, Caylie, Carson and I went to the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" at the Grand Ole Opry! The show featured the Rockettes, and was absolutely wonderful! We all enjoyed it so much. While we were at the show, Corey and Christian chose to have some "guy time" in the hotel. They ate at one of the restaurants, and played games in the arcade.
On Wednesday, we started the day off by going to the "Ice", and "Snow" attractions at the hotel.
The "Ice" exhibit, was incredible. The larger than life ice sculptures were unbelievable, and the kids (and Corey!) had fun sliding down the ice slides!
The "Snow" attraction was an outside area that had a snow blower that provided tons of snow for the kids to play in! At one point Carson wandered in front of the blower, and got a face full of snow, he almost fell apart, but Corey helped him brush himself off, and he pulled himself together enough to continue on with the fun! There was a live reindeer that guests could have their picture made with, as well as bonfires set up, and s'more kits available for those that wanted to make s'mores.
Next we headed to the Mall at Green Hills, where we all had lunch together at the Cheesecake Factory. What a treat! Caylie and I still had a little more Christmas shopping to do, so they boys went to the "Adventure Science Center" for a little while, and then returned to pick us up again a few hours later.
We took a drive through downtown Nashville, and then returned to the hotel, where we watched the amazing indoor fountain show that was set to Christmas music and scripture reading.
After a quick change of clothes, Carson took a dip in the indoor pool (and even in the outdoor hot tub...burrrr!), while Caylie and Christian worked out in the fitness center.
Caylie and Christian then agreed to babysit Carson, and get him into bed, so that Corey and I could go to the "Old Hickory Steakhouse" for a date night. We had eaten a late lunch, and weren't very hungry, so we just shared an appetizer and dessert. We had such a nice time. The food was delicious, and we were seated in the atrium overlooking such beautiful lights and gardens. We really enjoyed it so much. On the walk back to our room, we took an accidental detour, and came across a beautiful outdoor area of the hotel that we hadn't seen yet. The lights on the trees were breathtaking. We had never seen so many trees lit up in such detail. It was a beautiful sight...a great end to a perfect date!
This morning, we ate breakfast in the hotel, and then headed back to Little Rock.
Although it took some effort for us to be able to get enough done, and be able leave town for these few days right before Christmas, it was so worth it!
Such fun family memories!
Writing the Waves,
Christi
This is me, Caylie, my mom, and my sister, Jeanna. 
Christian, mom, Carson and Caylie...
