A Shrektacular holiday in the Music City

Growing up in the Nashville area, I had many opportunities to visit Opryland Hotel and even stay there for several conventions.  My friends and I (and later on, Tom and I) would enjoy walking around the ginormous atriums, indoor waterfall, and beautiful lobbies; it was fun and FREE.  While the convention center has grown exponentially in the twenty years since I graduated high school and moved away, they've always been known for their Christmas decorations.  It's always amazing.

A week before Christmas, we decided to go spend a couple of days in a condo very close to the hotel.  My family lives about an hour away so they were to come over and we'd exchange gifts and all of us would go to Opryland, see all the Christmas lights, and take in a free show featuring Shrek and friends.

The hotel was packed (and we were there on a Monday), and seating was very limited.  I had to stand Andrew up on a chair, have one arm around him to keep him steady, while taking pics (which is why I got none of him actually watching the show-no biggie).  My boys got to see the show despite the cramped conditions--I made sure of that--despite one gentleman's grinchy attitude.  It was impossible to be in such an atmosphere and not be filled with the Christmas spirit, even for him.  :)  I mean, at one point, it was SNOWING in the hotel!!!  **MAGICAL**  
I really hope to make this an annual tradition, and take in even more of the sites and activities.

Gingerbread man

Kung Fu Panda

Why I actually thought I could photograph the snow coming down, I have no idea, but I was so excited, I wanted to try!

Penguins from Madagascar

Shrek and Fiona

Puss 'n Boots!

My boys

Tom and the boys

My dad and Karen

My mom 

Walking behind the waterfall

Boat ride--Tom and I went one year for our anniversary--hopefully next time we can take the boys

A s'more shack--they sell the goods.....

...you toast the marshmallows and assemble!  Fun idea!

Some pics with the family.....

Andrew looks like a teenager....ha ha!

Aidan is trying to get everyone in on singing Christmas carols....slow at first, but everyone finally joined in!
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!"

No holiday is complete without T.J. playing his guitar

My sister with her cupcake book

My dad's ready for spring cleaning his cars--who am I kidding?  He's not waiting that long.

Tom's Alabama snowman