Thanksgiving in Nashville

This Thanksgiving we packed the kids up and headed for colder weather.  And when I say colder weather, I am not exaggerating.  While temperatures were generally lower than normal wherever you found yourself this Thanksgiving, Nashville had something else in store -- there was a chance of SNOW!  For a Mom to two kids who have never experienced the joys of this white powder, I was extremely hopeful that these reports would hold up.

We made it to Nashville extremely easily - like, maybe the easiest travel experience I've ever had - kids or no kids.  It seemed everything that could have gone wrong went the totally opposite direction.  We breezed through parking, check-in, security and boarding.  The kids were basically model children on the 2 hour flight, and our baggage and rental car were literally waiting for us when we got to Nashville.  Traffic to Nana and Papaws was non-existent, and so began our weeklong family vacation.  Jordan and I were dreading the trip back as we assumed we would have to pay the Karma Gods for such a seamless arrival.

We had taken a really early flight that morning, so we had all day Monday to hang out and get settled in.  It didn't take the kids long.  Despite the quickly cooling temperatures, Isla immediately gravitated toward "Jasmine", Nana and Papaws pony swing.

Shortly after, IT happened...  I looked outside and it was SNOWING!!!  We quickly bundled the kids up to make sure we didn't miss this.  I mean, seriously, when's the last time it snowed at Thanksgiving in Tennessee?  I am not for sure, but this seems a bit early.

Granted it wasn't a lot... Certainly not enough to stick anywhere.  And it was over quickly after it started, but my kids got to play in the snow, and I got to see delicate little snowflakes in my sweet boys curls.

The rest of the trip was just as great as it started.  We were able to see a lot of our family including Jordan's parents, brothers, sister-in-law, nephew and grandfather, as well as my sister and brother-in-law, and a couple of our friends who live in town.  We were also able to meet Jordan's brother Marshall's sweet girlfriend Kenzie for the first time.  I can totally and honestly say - it was a really fun and non-stressful trip.

One of the highlights was a trip to Opryland to see "ICE", a collection of themed sculptures.  At this point, we mistakenly thought that we had adapted to the cold temperatures, only to be hit by a FREEZING 7 degrees inside the ICE exhibit.  Needless to say we didn't spend a lot of time at "ICE", but it was totally worth it, and the kids had a great time.

All was going extremely well until Holden's second trip down the slide.  It seems like he got a crooked push, and all literally went downhill from there.  

He was like a little marshmallow man stuck, and screaming in the middle of the slide.  The "ICE" workers noticed the situation, and attempted to remedy it by grabbing what looked like a hooked pool rescue tool.  I believe they were going to attempt to hook it around Holden and pull him down.  

Luckily Daddy was there to rescue him in a less scary way.  Despite the workers warnings of slippery ice, Jordan bravely made it up the slide and freed our little guy.  

And then it was Thanksgiving.  Time for football, food and family!  Jordan's parents hosted a huge house of guests including my sister and her husband Eric who were staying home in Nashville for the holidays.  Not sure how she managed to do it, but Mary Ann fed everyone, and kept the house tidy (with THREE kids in it), all while wearing a cute little dress!  

Thank you so much Mary Ann and Jerry for a wonderful time spent with great company!  We look forward to next time!!