Thanksgiving

I have not yet one alarm during Thanksgiving break! I hate alarms and love sleeping in. The break was so relaxing and included the Annual Turkey Bowl, a boys trip to Waco for the Scots game, the return of the elves, Mom and Cadie lunch date, a decent amount of online black Friday shopping, and a tiny bit of Christmas decorating. I was the only girl to play in the Turkey Bowl and even though my Team lost, I had a great time and even scored a touchdown. Colton had a fun time on the boys trip, and I am still not 100% sure why Ranger didn't want to go too. Ranger hung out with Cadie and I and we had a good day running errands. I had planned a Mom Day with Cadie on Friday, but she woke up and came downstairs with a bad attitude and said "This is going to be the worst Mom day ever." It kinda hurt my feelings and I cancelled the whole day. Cadie apologized profusely and we had a talk about attitude, which she is struggling with overall lately. We didn't do the whole day together, but we did have a lovely lunch together at Rise and then did a little bit of shopping at Target. This is the first year that Cadie has confessed that she knows Santa and the Elves aren't real. It has been so amazing to have her help with the Elves and she has the best ideas!

Le Reve Diver's Dream

Our expectations for the weekend were sooooo far exceeded! It was amazing! Honestly, it is a bit hard to describe how cool it all was. We arrived on Friday evening and were greeted by a host with lovely gift bags that included the coziest robe that I have been wearing non-stop. We dropped our things at our room which was so comfortable and classy. We had a quick snack and then had VIP tickets to Le Reve which included a small TV screen near the floor with live behind the scenes action. The show was enthralling and had so many unexpected elements. Divers from the ceilings into the pool, bird flying across the theater, synchronized swimming, acrobatics, water fountains... I felt like I could not look away for a minute for I would miss something.

After the show, we were starving so had dinner and then headed to bed. Saturday started at 9am in the morning for a theater tour and then diver's training for the show. We thought the people might treat us like amateurs they had to babysit, but it was the exact opposite. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and went out of their way to show us their work. Performers hugged us, riggers turned on elements of the rigging so we could see how it all worked, the seamstresses talked with us about how many costumes repairs they do daily, and the list goes on. Everyone was so kind and talented. There are multiple Olympians in the show and many of the cast and crew has been there since it opened in 2005.

After the tour, we got in our gear in the Divers Dressing Room and then headed to the water. There are three backstage pool then connect to the main center pool through tunnels. We swam through the 89 degree warm water to the main pool and the dive master showed us all around through a custom mask that allowed him to talk and for us to hear it through underwater speakers. So cool. There were also performers practicing around us. The dive training lasted just over an hour. Then, we were able to break for some quick food, a short rest, and then back to the theater.

For the evening show, we geared up and then joined the Dive Crew for the pre-show debrief. Everyone was excited to hear about our dive experience and to show us their show. At the beginning of the show we were literally at the base of the tree as the divers swam the performers out into the water. The performers were underwater with "huka" regulators and so they aren't visible to the audience until the tree rises out of the water. All the performers were giving us fist bumps under the water!

During the show, we swam to all different vantage points so we could best watch the performance from underwater. When the lifts were moving, there was a beeping sound in the water similar to a truck backing up that alerted us to be careful and not get trapped in any of the moving parts! We could also hear the show music underwater through the underwater speakers. We were able to see the synchronized swimmers (so much talent) and the divers and all the performers get "caught" by the divers and then escorted to their next positions. The timing was precise and the trust among the cast and crew was so high. After the show, we changed and the headed to a nice dinner over at an Italian food place at the Palazzo. We were so tired after our long day that we went back to our room after dinner. 

On Sunday, we met Steve Wyrick for brunch and we sat chatting for a few hours. It was nice to catch up and we had a fun time together. Then, we packed up our stuff and headed to the airport. An entire trip to Vegas with no drinking, no gambling, and no clubbing! Just an awesome experience with my awesome man who was so sweet to find this one-of-a-kind experience for us to share together.

Right before the show on Friday evening.

We both love our Le Reve Robes.

 

 

 

 

Grant and I are in the very middle holding the sign.

Happy Halloween!

The rain cleared up just enough for trick-or-treating! It was a gloomy day outside, but Colton and I had a wonderful time at Southwest during the day! I wished I could have brought the older kids, but they are missing so much school because of our Christmas trip to Hawaii that I didn't feel like I could have them miss a day for Halloween. Colton was the hit of the day and was so sweet with everyone! He said his highlight was meeting the other little boy named Colton.

Colton was playing in a conference room where they had a movie playing and I walked in and said, "Colton, no more chocolate." A little boy looked up at me and said, "I am not eating the chocolate!" I responded, "Sorry! I mean that Colton can't eat more chocolate." He was so confused. He said, "But I am Colton." Brandy King brought her son, Colton too! The boys were fast friends after that.

After much agonizing between a witch and Twister, Cadie landed on Twister. JR was a "skeleton" but really I just think he wanted to be comfortable. I can't really blame him. We then went to the church carnival which thankfully was able to be moved inside. The very last event ever in Elliott Hall before they tear down the Hunt building to rebuild. Then, we were able to a bit of trick-or-treating with Austin and Parker.

Another fun Halloween activity was the Star Wars event the weekend before Halloween at the Air and Space Museum. It was our first time to go and the boys loved it! And, of course, we did hit up the Pi Phi Halloween party. Cadie and JR were too big to want to do it this year, but they played at Burleson park and Colton and JR had fun.

I don't know these kids, but was so impressed with their costume!

Ready for Pi Phi House trick-or-treat.+

Halloween fun in the Southwest simulation bay!

The two Coltons!

Colton's face indicates too much candy.