Ice, Ice Baby

So, lame title, but that's what comes to mind when I think of our fun outing to the Ice Spectacular at Opryland. Artisans come in from Harbin China every year and sculpt ice into a wonderful scene. This year, the theme was Charlie Brown Christmas. It has been a tradition for my best friend of almost 25 years and I to take the kiddos and then out to eat. We had SO much fun this year. Her children are 15, 6 and 3. We let the three year old stay with her daddy and we took the older kids. I can actually say that we all enjoyed each others company and there weren't any fights or crying fits or diaper changes...ahhhh! I've waited for these days to come and they are here! Don't get me wrong, I love little ones, but there is something so fun about really enjoying spending time with the bigger ones. I love Paige being this age (on most days :) lol.


Ryan, Paige and Haleigh at the entrance to Ice. FYI, it was minus 4 degrees inside. BRRR!!!!


Silly kids! Why is it that when children reach a certain age, they MUST throw up the peace signs???


Such a cutie pie...it's ok that I always say that, right?!? I'll never stop telling her how wonderful she is...haha. It never hurts to have a number one fan, right?


Ryan and Paige at dinner. Ryan was so hilarious and kept on telling Paige she was a "hottie". Rut ro!


Paige received a cell phone for Christmas and she was trying to teach Ry the basics of texting. Santa created a MONSTER! Thank goodness for unlimited texting plans :)


Tracy and I. We have been friends since we were 11 years old. I am soooo blessed to have a handfull of friends that have been by my side for over 20 years. I treasure these special friendships and feel so blessed by these sweet girls. Tracy and I were the dynamic duo in high school and in college. She is the one friend that I have the FUNNIEST memories with. She is the friend that when I tell stories to Paige about what NOT to do, well, let's just say Tracy and I were always in those stories. We weren't bad kids, but if we could get a laugh, we'd try our darndest. One of my favorite memories is of us dating two friends in college and while the guys went out for a "guys night" we thought it would be funny to break into their apartment and rearrange their furniture (at 3 a.m.). Needless to say, we didn't date the guys long, as they didn't share our sense of humor! :) She's grown into a wonderful mother, wife and friend and I am proud of the person she is. Who'd a thunk it?!?