Friday, December 19, 2008

Ice, Ice Baby... In Sunny Florida

Update: I did this post below very early this morning, before the caffeine had had a chance to sink in. Now that I am wide awake, I feel very bad that I missed this opportunity to publicly wish my hubby a very happy anniversary. Happy 14 years together, honey. I love you!!! I can't wait for our date tonight! XOXOXOXO

I have one more day from last month's vacation that I wanted to post, but am just now getting around to it. On our last day, we didn't have any plans. (Oh, that is a beautiful thing on a vacation!) Nolan had rented a second car to drive to Daytona to watch the Marshall basketball game, so it was just us girls. I know how much my Mom loves the G*aylord hotel in Nashville and I had tried many times to book hotel reservations at their Orlando location, but they were completely booked during our days there. So, since we weren't staying there (which actually turned out for the best because we loved where stayed), I thought it might be fun to head over to the G*aylord Palms to explore the hotel and have lunch. Mom loved that idea!

20081122_108

As we were having lunch, our waiter asked us if we were going to the Ice show. We didn't even know about "Ice", so he handed us a brochure. That's when the begging began... "Oh, Mom, can we go? Please, please, pretty please?" So we went and checked it out. There are people from all over that come to this snow. "Ma'am, this isn't your typical ice show. You MUST see this!" They were all very good salespeople, you know, trying to get us to go inside the 9 degree ice show. Yes, it was 9 DEGREES INSIDE!! "Please, please, Mom," the pleading continued. I was hesitating because we weren't exactly dressed for it in our capri pants and sandals.

Seeing that it is not working as well on me as she would like, she turns to Grandma, "Please, pretty please, Grandma?" Y'all know where this is headed, right? So, we all bundle up in their big blue coats, brief the girls on "do not touch the ice, we will go through quickly, look as you walk, this is going to be a quick trip or else we'll get frostbite, etc., etc."

FYI - I was not worried about capturing the best images, as I was told my camera battery would freeze in seconds if I didn't hold my hand around the battery. My camera didn't freeze, but my hands did, so I'm thrilled I got at least a few decent pics.


And it was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

20081122_59

Truly NOT your typical ice show. Everything you see is carved in ice.

20081122_65

My Mom

20081122_64



20081122_68

The nativity scene - WOW!

20081122_74




20081122_75

And the girls' favorite part - the slides. How cool is that?

20081122_80




20081122_83




20081122_84

I tried to back up and get a picture of all the chutes, but only captured about half. Even the reindeer are carved in ice.

20081122_94




20081122_96




20081122_97




20081122_98

And for a little silly humor, this is the sign that greeted us when we exited the show.

20081122_100

And Mia being a good girl and following directions. :)

20081122_102

Thanks, Mom. I think we made a record for quickest in/quickest out, but we loved it!!

15 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

That sign is hysterical! And the ice sculptures were gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them. You know, it kind of reminds me of the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival in China. You should google that for the girls to show them. And I once posted photos of it on my blog. It's outdoor there -- which means colder! LOL.

Leslie said...

So cool. Thanks for sharing those neat pics. I would had been so scared to take my camera in there...lol.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

WOW!!! That was really cool....the ice sculptures were beautiful!! And for some quick pics, they turned out great....so glad that your battery didn't freeze!!

That looked like the perfect way to end a vacation!!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Lisa

Tisha said...

Wow! This was one great vacation! Kids are so resilient. I would have never gone down that slide in shorts! I know my kids would have been all over it though too. I'm so glad you stumbled onto this place. It must have gotten you into the Christmas spirit early on. Have a great weekend.

Blessings,
Tisha

Tisha said...

I hadn't had my coffee yet either and forgot to say Happy Anniversary! I hope you and Nolan have a wonderful date night on your very special day!

Jboo said...

Wow -- that was really cool and quite amazing!!! It looks like a lot more fun than the ice storm we had last night!

Best wishes to you and your family for a very Merry Christmas!

Janet

Unknown said...

That looks like so much fun!!! :) I've never seen anything like it before. Too cool!

Marla said...

Wow, what an amazing place. I bet your glad you went. The girls look like they had tons of fun.

mommy24treasures said...

I was thinking at first, man she is in FL again??!;)
How fun. Looks like you had a wonderful time.

Stacy said...

Happy Anniversary! Love that ICE exhibit...wish we had one closer! Great shots!

Faye said...

Very Cool pictures!!! (literally)

Missy said...

Happy Anniversary! I love your ice pictures!!! We go every year to the Harbin artisan show in Nashville. Paige and I run through it because it is so cold. You captured some amazing images!!! I just think Leila and Mia are so darling!

Sherri said...

So cute! I would love to go see one of these....

sherri

Ashley Winters said...

Your kids must have had a blast playing in the fabulous winter wonderland. How cool!

Rydley said...

What an extensive show! Those ice slides look like they were a blast and it is especially fun to see Mia go down in shorts! Glad you enjoyed it.