Going to the
Greenbrier in West Virginia has been a
Benich Christmas tradition for the past 35 years. They haven't made it every single year, but close to it. Beau loves it so much he doesn't want to visit the resort at any other time of the year, in case it ruins Christmas for him :) It also happens to be where we got engaged, so it's extra special for us!
We missed
Nicci and family this year, but we went ahead just the 6 of us. Bree had to see it for her first Christmas. The plan was to be there over New Year's Eve this year, which made it much better for me. We were able to get through Christmas at home, then enjoy a vacation away.
The flight there was anything but easy, but we survived, arrived, and were ready to finally relax!
Our first full day, New Year's Eve day, started with a big breakfast. We said the blessing and instead of doing "prayer hands" like Wade learned in school, he made everyone hold hands. We hand done this at our Christmas dinner and I guess he remembered - and liked - making a circle of hands!
Then we were off for an ice skating adventure. Wade had never been ice skating, so we weren't sure what to expect. They have double bladed skates for little ones, which made it a little less dangerous. They do offer helmets which came in handy...
Notice Tim opted for a helmet...wise choice.
Looking good, right?
Bree (and Dede) were the perfect spectators on the sidelines...
Ice rink and back view of hotel from the hill...
After skating and sitting by the fire we went to play in the snow...
Wade was really enjoying making snowmen and
snow angels. It helped that it wasn't really that cold outside...
Then it was time for some classy cardboard sledding. Wade didn't want any part of it, he preferred scooting down on his tush.
Finally cold and soaked with snow, we moved inside to the pool. Wade went swimming everyday and proved he hadn't lost his swimming skills since last summer. He is a little FISH!
Bree went swimming too!! She had briefly dipped her feet in last summer, but this was her first real swim. She was splashing, playing, and having a great time. We're so proud of her. Will she be as fearless around water as her big bro?
Wade wanted to grab onto Bree and push her under. We'll have to work on water safety between the two of them...
Here is the Santa and reindeer ice sculpture they have every year. We played on it while we waited for our sleigh ride...
Beau and I took Wade on a sleigh ride, just the 3 of us. Our horses names' were Buddy and Woody, which wade quickly changed to Buzz and Woody for obvious reasons ;)
They took us throughout the grounds and out to the golf course. It was a beautiful day to be outside in the winter wonderland!
After an action-packed, fun-filled day, we left the kids in the rooms for naps (not along, with a sitter) for some adult fun. While Diane and I wandered around the hotel, casino, and shops, Beau and Tim headed out to go fly fishing.
Here's where the story of our trip gets a hard to tell....
Without going into too many horrible details, Tim slipped and hit his head on a rock by the river, Beau and some other good samaritans helped stabilize him until an ambulance could get there, Diane and I rush down there, ambulance takes Tim, Diane and Beau to local (small) hospital, I stay back with the kids, Tim gets transferred to a larger hospital for observation, Beau goes with him, Diane comes back to help me, we wait and and wait praying everything will be okay, and finally on New Year's Day Time is released and we're able to all make it home to Atlanta together. Phew. It was a horrible ordeal, but we're were just so thankful that in the end Tim was okay. Many jokes have since been made that the previous ice skating helmet would've come in handy later that day!
So while I was back in the hotel waiting for news, I decided to bust out Dede's New Year's decorations anyway and have a little fun with the kids....
Dressing up in old Halloween costumes (how cute is he as an alien?)
Playing chase as Scooby Doo (this is the same kids that previously hated wearing costumes)...
Please notice that excluding the costumes, Wade stayed in pajamas for a week straight. There's nothing better than running around in cozy fleece footie zipper PJs all day!
Wade tolerated short visits outside, but is still just a little too young to brave the cold fingers and toes. He kept trying to get his favorite neighbor friends to ditch their sleds and come to his house to play. 
Wade lasted his typical 10 minutes and then was ready to call it a day. Here he is sledding with Daddy, eyes covered with hat, while getting sprayed in the face with snow. Good times. 
Wade playing hide and seek under the chair...
Playing in the rocket at the toy store...
Making friends with a cute brunette...
On our final night, Tim and Beau were back from the hospital so we tried to make the most of it. We usual get all dressed up for photos one night, but considering all the drama the kids only made it into their pjs. 
