The Lee Family: ICE!

I took the girls to ICE at the Gaylord and we met up with Milani and Michelle so we could go together! We invited Katie and Thomas, Thelma and her girls but only Michelle and Milani were free to join us. I decided to go on Christmas Eve because I remembered that one year CK's parents visited and we went to ICE on Christmas Eve and it was nearly empty. As we got ready to go and meet up with Michelle and Milani at the Gaylord, Sofia made it clear that she didn't want to go. She said we'd had such a terrible time last time we went, which was true. The actual ICE was as good as ever last year, but the wait was long and then it cost $15 to park in the parking structure and yet took us over an hour to exit! It was absurd. Anyway, I told her that we'd give it one more try and if we had a less-than-positive experience, this would be our last visit to ICE. She agreed to that and her attitude improved.

We arrived and met up with Michelle and Milani and got in line, which wasn't bad. We were quickly inside the ticket collection area and were soon handed our blue jackets we each needed for ICE. I did notice that they did away with the introduction video about the Chinese ice artists who are flown into Dallas to cut the ice into each sculpture and how long it takes them. It must save a lot of time though, so it probably helps with cutting down on the crowds. We were very soon inside the ICE exhibit, which this year is Peanuts. We've actually been to see the Peanuts ICE exhibit before and it was very similar this time, but it's still a lot of fun. I'd brought gloves for the girls and myself and a winter hat for myself, but didn't bring them for the girls. I was completely warm, but Olivia was soon freezing since she didn't have a hat. I gave her my winter hat and used my hood, but it wasn't nearly as warm. However, she didn't want to wear my winter hat, so she gave it back.

We walked through the ICE exhibit and enjoyed it. It also didn't feel nearly as crowded as it has in past years. It did feel significantly colder than before, although I'm sure that isn't the case. The girls enjoyed the exhibit and Sofia loved hanging out with Milani, who is one of her closest friends. The girls enjoyed it and were super excited to go down the slide, but it was comically slow! In fact all three got stuck mid-way down the slide! I remember in past visits, the slide has been very fast. Guess, they have changed it. We continued on our way after the slides and tried to stay warm. The girls, especially Olivia, were done posing for photos! Soon we were at the clear ice nativity scene. It is always such a beautiful nativity. After, we headed out to the warm hallway. It was such a good visit, but next time (if there is a next time) we will bring winter hats for all of us. To warm up, we decided to stop for a snack. Sofia actually never ate anything, so she was really looking forward to a snack. We walked through the gift shop and stopped for some pretzels and a cinnabon. It was delicious and gave the girls some much-needed energy.

We continued on our way and explored some of the other decorated areas of the huge lobby. We've been to the Gaylord so many times during Christmas, and despite the long waits to leave the parking garage, it brings back such great memories. Once we were done walking around and talking, we decided to ask at the front desk for a parking voucher. We got to the front desk and who was there but Giselle! She works there! It was so great to see her and she soon hooked us both up with free parking! It took me a minute, because she didn't fit the location where I normally see her, so it took me a second to realize that it was actually Giselle. She looks great and it was fantastic to see her. I took a photo of Giselle and the girls and sent it to Annie!

We said goodbye to Michelle and Milani and headed to our car. I completely lucked out and found a parking spot just inside the parking structure, in the tiny little parking lot to the left of the parking structure. So, when we made it to our car, we were out of the parking structure and headed home within 5 minutes. It was so easy! I asked the girls if they enjoyed it and Olivia said it was an 8 out of 10 while Sofia said it was above average! So, they agreed that it was fun and worth going again next year. We'll see...

The night before we were able to go to the Nutcracker at Bass Hall in Fort Worth. Christy called me that morning offering us 4 tickets to the Nutcracker, which they go to every year, but can't go this year due to Alexa's concussion recovery. Unfortunately, the lights and music is too overwhelming for her, at this point. CK was actually getting in late last night from a work trip, so it was just the girls and myself. I figured we had to go! I grew up going to the Nutcracker every year and it's a little tedious, yet I still love the tradition and memories. So, I take the girls every few years. We didn't have plans to go this year, so this was the perfect opportunity. Both girls really wanted to stay home and watch a movie, but I convinced them to get dressed up and go. I made the mistake of telling the girls that we could leave at intermission if we were too tired.

We arrived at Bass Hall about 15 minutes before the show was to start and decided to do valet parking, since I couldn't figure out how to get into the parking garage for Bass Hall. We got inside and I took a cute picture of the girls by one of the many Christmas trees. We made our way into the theater and to our seats, which were amazing! In all the many years I've gone to the Nutcracker, I don't think I've ever had such great tickets. It was fantastic! This Nutcracker was really one of the best I think I've ever seen! At the intermission, we headed to the snack area to get drinks, but it seemed like all they had was alcohol. The girls really wanted to leave, but I convinced them to stay. I'm so glad we did. It was such an amazing show and ended really dramatically. II really loved it and the girls enjoyed it too.

We left the show and headed over to park in another little lot so we could eat something. We were all starving. However, since it was Christmas Eve, many places had closed early already. We found a place that looked perfect: Istanbul Grill. It was so delicious! We started off with hummus and babaganoush, which I told the girls they had to try. They loved both, but Sofia really loved the babaganoush. Olivia preferred the hummus. The girls both ordered the chicken shish kabob and I had the vegetable moussaka. It was all wonderful and it was the perfect meal, especially since we were all so hungry. After eating, we headed home! What a fun night!

The girls at the Nutcracker!