'Tis the season

I planned a fun night out last night for us, since Nana & Pops were in town. We went to Nashville to eat at the Rainforest Cafe (in Opry Mills mall) and then to see the lights at Opryland Hotel. If you've never seen them, you need to go!! The hotel in itself is beautiful...all 600,000 square feet of it (I am not kidding). But add in over 2 million Christmas lights, and it's quite a sight!!

On the way to Nashville, Nate entertained himself by looking in the van window (we had his interior light on) at himself and fixing his hair & hat repeatedly. So vain!

We went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner, and had been talking up all the monkeys & birds etc to Nate all day. My friend Hallie took her 15 month old son there and loved it. Said it was loud, but fun. So I was expecting Nate would love it. WRONG. As soon as we walked in, he started burying his head in his Dad's shoulder. We walked in right as a "thunderstorm" was happening...lights on & off, rain/thunder noises, and all the "animals" making noises. It was a bit much, but Nate seemed to be the only kid scared in there. Typical. (He comes by it honestly though...I was scared of EVERYTHING growing up!) He got better as the meal went on, but still had a tight grip on me, especially when the elephant near us made noises. Here he is burying his face while eating. (Oh and did I mention that Abby slept thru ALL of this!?)

This is what he did during the "thunderstorms"

And here is the scary elephant

Then, a much happier Nate with Nana outside the Opryland Hotel

Oh the challenges of getting your toddler to smile at the camera

Saying "SANTA!" with Nana & Pops

Favorite part of the night: Snickerdoodle

My little angel

Abby was soooo well behaved and stayed in her carseat/stroller the whole night, until this moment. She was NOT happy we disturbed her! And btw, I know this is not the greatest family picture, but it's the best of the 10 shots we took. Welcome to family of 4!