Opryland Hotel

On the Tuesday before Christmas, we decided to make a visit to the Opryland Hotel. Brent and I used to go at least once a year to walk around before we had children, but we haven't been since our precious ones came along. This year, we thought Maura would be old enough to really enjoy it so we packed up and headed out.
We went with Chuck and Sherran, but they dropped us off and we walked around for quite awhile before they were able to get back to us. Despite Maura having a nearly four hour nap that day, she was suprisingly disgruntled!! Doesn't she look happy here?? We had NO ROOM for the double stroller on the way up, so Tristan ended up in the front pack. He'd rather be carried than strolled any day, so he was more than happy to strap up for a walk through the hotel.
I love the atrium that has all the hanging characters and lights. It's such a huge facility that it's hard to know where to look first! We were able to improve Maura's spirits with a cookie. With the time change we forgot that we were at the hotel right in the midst of dinnertime.
This is what Maura was most interested in out of all the decorations. She's fascinated with elves right now, due to her love of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Mommy and Maura had a visit with Frosty the Snowman!
When Nan and Poppa arrived, Maura was so excited to see her Poppa and became Poppa's girl for the rest of the trip. Matt and Brenda met us at the hotel as well, but they were worn out from shopping and couldn't stay. I did manage to get a quick cute picture of them before they headed out.
Brent, Tristan, Chuck and Sherran. Tristan looks miserable here, but I assure you that he loves this sling! We stopped to take in the dancing fountains. Tristan was mesmorized!
What a fun family event. We loved all the Christmas trees, especially the Poinsetta tree.
The Allen men enjoying the general Christmas ambiance.
Maura wanted a closer look. She loves looking at and touching all the ornaments on our tree and these giant ornaments were such a temptation. My sweet girl was just enchanted. Who would ever guess that in mere moments after this photo was snapped, she would erupt in a flood of tears and screaming. I have no idea what triggered this, but she was a mess! Brent put her in "time out" in the corner and we walked a few steps away to make it more real. We got some of the nastiest looks from people. I guess they didn't care to hear screaming in the midst of their Christmas festivities. We even had one couple who walked towards her in concern that she was lost. We quickly explained that she belonged to us and they smiled knowingly and sympathetically. After four consecutive time outs, she finally just snapped out of it and we were ready to go on our way. It's amazing how quickly these little moods come and pass.
I really really wanted her to see Santa before we left the hotel, so we headed down to that area next. She was still recovering from her ordeal, but the train went a long way towards erasing her memory of her punishment. She was so excited about it. Tristan rode with Nan. The conductor made her set him in the seat so it would be "safer." In what universe is it more safe for a seven month old to sit beside an adult rather than in their lap? But, I digress.
We were all excited for our ride. Very, VERY excited!! Maura yelled, "I'm riding the train Poppa," every time we went around! Soon after, it was time to see Santa. Our previous Santa visit was with a rather inferior Santa, so I wanted her to get to meet the real thing! She was so pumped. You have to remember, this was the 23rd and she knew Santa was coming the very next night! She ran right up to him and fairly leaped into his lap!
She told him everything she wanted for Christmas and we got some really cute pictures. We weren't supposed to be taking these, but we bought the package, so they didn't really say anything to us. Tristan couldn't get enough of that beard. I'm suprised he didn't give it a good yank! We really had a good experience at the Opryland Hotel and I hope that we make it a yearly tradition from here on out.