ICE--a fun tradition

The nativity at ICE (near the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN)

Abigail and Bruce before entering ICE

Abigail and Laura with Kris Kringle and Jessica (young Santa and Mrs. Santa before they were married)

Abigail at the beginning of the exhibit

Bruce and Abigail..soon after Baby Santa was found by the elves

We enjoy visiting Nashville each year around the holidays.  This year we visited ICE again.  The theme was Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  The carvings were incredible..and boy was it cold..about 17-18 degrees!!!  They issued us parkas to wear as we toured the exhibit.  As usual, we had fun..but it was nice to exit into the balmy 30-something degree weather :)

Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Most of the family--front row--Maddie (the birthday girl), Abigail and Ben; back row--Laura, Bruce, Grammy and Vincent (dad of birthday girl)

Grammy with the three grandkids

three silly grandkids...waiting for everyone to arrive so they could order and eat :)

Maddie turned 10 years old this week.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Olive Garden with most of the family.  These children are growing up WAY too fast.  Happy birthday sweet Maddie!!

Adult One Sunday School Party

Tony, Cindy, Sharon (background) and Joe look on as Loly opens her 'dirty Santa' gift....

Mike and Debbie wonder what could be in that package....maybe some more Santa shorts or a hat??

Bill, Scot, Kitty and Steve are watching poor Cheryl choose another gift..she held the record for being stolen from the most at the party that night....

What will Chris get????

George, Cindy and Suzanne.....



Bruce loved his hat..until CINDY took it :)  but here he must be telling a story.....




...or opening another gift....

We had a wonderful time at our annual party!  Thanks for hosting us Bill and Kathy!!



Running....

 Back in late September, Abigail attempted her first one mile "fun run".  Considering that she did not train one bit, we were very proud of her for finishing the race :)  Next year, we plan to train a bit beforehand..and I hope to run with her also. 

Before....

During.....

Finish time...and getting a drink of good cold water :)

a few special memories...

Our first year with Abigail......

The "kitty" ornament is the first year we were married....We finally got our tree decorated last Saturday....and as we did, I photographed a few special ornaments. Our tree is not 'themed' like so many beautiful ones that I see in magazines or on other blogs....and while I admire them, I doubt we'll ever imitate them. Our tree is beautiful to us because it is totally full of ornaments...and the vast majority of them have a story behind them. So, I guess our theme is 'sentimental' which works for us..... Our tree won't ever grace the pages of a magazine..but that's okay. It will always hold a special place in our hearts anyway.

Sick House.....

Ugh...we have ALL been battling sinus/allergy stuff for the last several days.  Abigail was first.  She saw the doctor TWICE and walked away with an antibiotic, inhaler, decongestant with cough suppresant and nasal spray.  She was pretty much laid out from Tuesday thru most of the weekend.  The cough is lingering, but thankfully is not too bad.   Bruce started feeling rough on Saturday.  He has the same allergy/sinus induced symptoms.  He is hoping to get in to see the doctor today.  I am dealing with just sinus stuff and have been fighting with everything in my personal arsenal to keep it at bay.  The oil of oregano and nasal flush is helping me..and I am trying to get extra rest.  Thankfully I don't seem to feel quite as bad as either of them because SOMEONE has to be the nurse.  At least we are not contagious...just feeling icky :(