Back in the summer, we started talking about a cousin's trip. We were determined to pull something off after the previous 2 years had been so scary and lonely. We threw around several ideas but everything was SO expensive after Covid. We decided on the Opryland Hotel for New Years Eve. We weren't going to Alabama for Christmas because Rick and Sheila were still being really careful with Covid and Jim couldn't be exposed to that many people so this was a great option for the "younger" cousins. Lol! We were so excited! The kids knew about the trip but for Christmas we gave them tickets for the Tennessee Titans game on Sunday. On Friday, we all got to The Opryland Hotel, which was still decorated for Christmas. It's really indescribable. Keatyn had never been and Jimmy hadn't been since our 1st anniversary. We got there, checked in and hit the SoundWaves indoor waterpark.
It was New Years Eve, so after a few hours of playing we went back to the room, showered and went to dinner before the ball dropped on 2022.
We ate at a Mexican buffet restaurant inside the hotel...
It was supposed to start raining the next morning so before midnight we went outside to check out all of the gorgeous decorations...
In the lobby was a live band and a balloon drop for midnight. It was a fun night ringing in the new year!
The next morning, we did some exploring and then went back to the waterpark.
We had dinner reservations outside the hotel a few miles away but it was POURING down rain with no end in sight, so we decided to stay inside and grab pizza. Sandi, Alex, Brady, and Bryan who were staying at a nearby hotel came over to visit and eat. We sat right beside these fountains and watched a fountain show about the birth of baby Jesus with the music set to the water. It was absolutely beautiful! Kate made the comment that God kept us right there in the hotel that night so we could watch that amazing show and be blessed.
The next morning we got up early and headed out to the Titans stadium. We didn't realize it at the time, but we never saw the cousins again. We all left the hotel at different times, drove different cars and had separate seats at the game. Of course, us picture loving people REALLY wanted to get everyone together inside the stadium for a group picture but it never happened. It was SO COLD. Like... it started snowing during the game and we all lost the feeling in our extremities. Plus, then we were soaking wet. So, to have said to our families... "hey lets all walk to section ??? for a family picture" would have been pushing it. Lol!
Millie, Kate and I sent pictures back and forth of each other but it wasn't quite the same... Lol!
We had great seats! One thing about having great seats down low though is that no one ever sits down. Like...ever. So then when it started raining/sleeting/snowing your seat got wet which meant you knew you were never going to sit down. Yikes! That's a long time. Lol! We decided to start the trek back to the car after the 3rd quarter. We were pretty much soaked and frozen by then so we were ready to head home. It was such an amazing weekend with our sweet family and we can't wait to plan another cousins trip!! Perfect way to start 2022!!
