Charlie Brown ICE Extravaganza

Winter in Dallas would not be complete without what has become our yearly outing to the Gaylord Texan to see their annual ICE exhibit.  Last year the Grinch Stole Christmas, this year, the Peanuts Gang strolled into town to welcome the Maldonado's to Grapevine in a fabulous Charlie Brown way.  :) It was as magical as ever, we already can't wait to see what they think of next year!

Beautiful Dallas sunset

The Gaylord Texan all decked out for the Holidays :)

Chad and his mini me, his gingerbread twinkie

HUGE gingerbread house that smelled DIVINE!

Addie, gearing up for the exhibit!

HERE WE GO!!

Brrrrrrr.... 

SOOOOO COLD in there, but so amazingly worth it!

We literally had at least twelve layers on  :)

Addie was NOT fond of taking pictures :)  

But she loved it, we could tell..lol

Giant slides of ICE

In the ice tunnel

Merry Christmas Ya'll! :)

Early Thanksgiving in Dallas :)

Its always a treat when my family comes up to visit in Dallas.  Usually it's either the parental units or my brother, sister in law and niece...coming up separately.  This time, to commemorate our first "REAL" Thanksgiving as a married couple (last year two weeks after our wedding and a week after we returned from our honeymoon...we celebrated alone as husband and wife ;) we took advantage of my brother's hardcore love of the Cowboys (and his season tickets) and celebrated an EARLY Thanksgiving the week before (when the Cowboys were scheduled to play at home).  :)  The stage was set and we shopped before the crowds to prepare for our very traditional..but still done with pizazz Chad Kelley style thanksgiving feast!

Addie and my papa

Waiting patiently as Chad worked on our spread.  :)

Some sort of coffee and cocoa crusted loin.  :)

Working on that coloring book like a champ.  :)

Traditional cranberry sauce, in the works

The makings of one of the BEST green bean casseroles I've ever tasted!

Addie and grandma working on their flash cards

Sweet girl.  :)

Saying cheeeeeeeesseeeee....

Addie and Macie on the look out

Green beans added and it's almost ready to go!

Not your traditional bird... a little of this protein, a little of that :)

And wala!

Our Thanksgiving FEAST

Celebrating with family and friends :)

Gary and Lisa Roden celebrating with their extended family... US!

After our big meal we decided to walk off our food and head to the park across the way

A little nervous to go down alone.. 

Wheeeeeeeee.... 

Addie and her mama Christi.  :)

Our sweet little girl... Miss Macie Blue being a good dog :)

The yummy sweet potato pie that was waiting for our return.  :)