Am I the only one who feels like the holiday season flew by? It hardly felt like there was any time at all between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and now we’re about to celebrate New Year’s. Can we really be coming up on 2018? I vividly remember ringing in the new millennium–and all the apprehension that went along with it–but that was 18 years ago! Yikes.
Well, now that I’m done reminiscing, I have some photos to share. Some of my in-laws are here for the weekend, so we have enjoyed showing them the city. We have 11 of the 15 family members, but it still feels like a small group. (Did I tell you that one of Mr. Handsome’s little sisters is expecting? He is the oldest, and she is number five, so there are several years between the two of them. She is the one who married in May.)
This morning, we headed over to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to enjoy the many Christmas festivities and decorations.
In addition to walking through the indoor gardens, as Mr. Handsome and I did a couple weeks ago, we spent 30 minutes inside the ICE winter wonderland.
Located in a conference center that is being kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit, this holiday attraction is an annual tradition at Opryland. The display features two million pounds of ice sculptures, hand-carved by talented artisans from Harbin, China. This year’s theme is A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Pretty much everything you see in these photos is made of ice, even the Christmas tree and giant strands of popcorn.
There was also a huge ice slide (about two stories high). My three-year-old niece and one-year-old nephew were too short to ride it, but all the adults gave it a try. It was short but fast.
In general, the adults definitely appreciated the ice display more than the kiddos.
At the very end was a massive Nativity scene. Although my niece was cold and ready to leave, she enjoyed identifying all the characters–baby Jesus, the Wise Men, Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, the angel, and the livestock.
Amazing!
The pictures are beautiful. I love Charlie Brown. Thanks for sharing the pictures Ellie!
It's my pleasure. Happy New Year!
Ellie
I appreciate you sharing. Interesting about the Ice Sculpture's and giant slide. The Nativity Scene would be awesome to see.
Sure thing. Wishing you the best in 2018!
Ellie
Everyone seems to be wearing the same coats. Did they provide them?
It actually may be warmer in that room than in many parts of the US this week….
That's very true. It has been a cold week for sure! They provided coats for those who wanted them, but you were also able to wear your own winter gear, as long as it included ski pants.
Happy New Year!
Ellie
This is off-topic but I was wondering why you use the term "expecting" rather than "pregnant". Is it a regional or cultural idiosyncrasy? It's a bit confusing as the word expecting can refer to many things other than babies, and I've only seen it used this way on your blogs and by the Duggar family. I have seen other couples say they are "expecting a baby," but usually when they are not pregnant, i.e. expecting a baby via surrogate or adoption. Whenever someone is pregnant, they just say they are pregnant. Is there some reason you avoid the word "pregnant"?
Maybe it's a regional thing, because I hear people in my area say "expecting" all the time. It might be because a "couple" is never really pregnant, but they can both be "expecting." (More inclusive of both parents?) As for it being confusing- I don't normally hear people say "We're expecting!" and leave off what they're expecting unless they are "expecting" a baby, so in general, I don't think people are too confused for very long. Interesting how region/culture/society can change language and terms!
That's a good question. I haven't thought too much about it. Both terms work. It makes a little more sense to say "we're expecting" versus "we're pregnant," although the latter is definitely used.
Ellie
What I need all day everyday is new life!
Must be a southern thing? If someone told me "We're expecting" my first reaction would be "Expecting what?" There's nothing wrong with a woman saying "I'm pregnant" as I would naturally congratulate her husband as well, if she's married. I've heard plenty of men say "my wife is pregnant." There's also the classic "we're having a baby!"
You remember ringing in 2000? I remember Kennedy giving his inauguration speech! Yikes, I'm older than dirt. Or ice. Yes, it's incredible how fast almost 20 years can fly by (when you're having fun…).
As the saying goes, "you're not old, you're just increasing in value." 🙂
Ellie
So you were what, all of 7 or 8 when 2000 rolled around? How "apprehensive" of a computer glitch is one at that age?
I think when children heard their parents and other adults talking about it(as my children did) it was a rather concerning for them.
Lol, it's very true that I was not an adult in 2000, but I do remember all the apprehension (including Y2K) well. 🙂
Ellie
I went to ICE on Christmas. It was really pretty, but really cold. My toes started to tingling, then they went numb.