Thanksgiving 2013

It's great to have my family all within driving distance.  My parents made it up on Wednesday and stayed over at our house.  Here are some Thanksgiving morning pics -

 

 Turkey Bum

Poor Nat and Ang also tried to meet up in Dallas on Wednesday night but hit horrible traffic, which doubled their usual travel time.  They both ended up staying at other hotels that first night.  The good thing about that was we were all closer and able to make it on time to our Thanksgiving lunch at 11:30 on Thursday at Buca di Beppo.  Unusual choice, I know, but very few restaurants were open on Thanksgiving Day in Grapevine.  It seemed to be the perfect spot for us since it's family style; however, they have quite a bit of nudity in their decor.  We may have draped napkins over 2 pictures before Matt's kids came in.  Good times.  Anyway, we had delicious salads, chicken parmesan, fettuccini alfredo, and cheesecake.  I didn't miss the turkey at all!  I think it's kind of fun to do something different every now and then.

Hazel was hogging Grandpa, but he didn't mind. 

 

That afternoon we checked into the Gaylord Texan Hotel and went to ICE.  This year the theme of the ice show was The Nutcracker.  It was freeeezing but amazing.

 

Grayson looked like this the whole time.

  At the end of it, they had the Nativity made of ice, which was really pretty.

The next morning we went to a buffet breakfast with the Madagascar characters.  It was yummy and so fun for the kids.  Hazel, my super opinionated child, wanted nothing to do with the lion but was fine with the penguin.

It was so nice to all be in one place with activities nearby and rooms within walking distance so we could give the kids naps, etc.  We decorated gingerbread cookies, swam, walked around the hotel, and left one time to hit up our favorite - Costa Vida (the closest thing to Cafe Rio we have).

The granddaughters

Hazel and Faith with Grandma

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We had a great time and it definitely got us in the Christmas spirit!