Nashville (Opryland)

So the Scouts trip to the NHL Predators game in Nashville quickly became a girls getaway at the Opryland hotel with a visit to see Carrie Underwood at the Grand Ole Opry.  We arrived at the hotel a little early, and got checked into the perfect atrium room close to the spa and pool.  After a bite of lunch, Magan and Marcia headed to the spa for some relaxation, while ... I am just going to call it ... superdad too the 6 kids down to the pool.  We had a great time.  I mainly just kept an eye on the little girls, and with the two littlest ones in life jackets, it was a little easier.  Stella and Ruby wanted to get out a lot and cover up with the towels.  And then the biggest challenge came when Stella and Ruby both had to go to the bathroom.  After some failed encouragement to just warm up the pool, we got out and walked into what felt like a frozen bathroom where all three of us shivered as they completed their business.  I felt so bad for them, but finally got them moving to get back when I said they will have heated the water up for them.  And back in the pool out of frozen land, it felt very much like a heated pool...and they thought that was cool.  Because of bad weather, we were then kicked out of the pool area, and we went back up to the room to get ready for the evening...finally later to be joined by those relaxed Ratcliff sisters.  :)  Glad they could get a break, and secretly I had probably more fun than them.  Lots of smiles on those little kiddies faces. 

 

And some notes from Magan from the concert...Magan asked Stella about Carrie Underwood "Don't you love her pretty dress?"  Stella replied "I though it was going to be sparkly", but she was happy that her shoes and earrings were sparkly.  "Magan, she didn't have lipstick, but her lips were sparkly, so she must have been wearing lipgloss"

 

Belle looked so little between Marcia and a giant man sitting on the other side...and she got a little emotional during the "God Bless the USA" performance by Lee Greenwood.  Everyone stood and sung together.

 

Ruby just kept saying her eyes were sleepy, but didn't want to go back to her house, but back to her hotel.  She also did not bring her blankie, so she had to use Magan's sweater. 

 

The next morning after church, I had another one of those moments I will treasure forever, even tho I did not get any pictures.  All three of those little girls were walking down the big white staircase in the Magnolia lobby...and I got to be the prince escorting each one down as they each sang a different princess tune...and then the process was repeated, and I don't think would ever end except Magan and Marcia were finally done shopping.  Love my boys, but my girls and these beautiful nieces have a special place in my heart. 

 

We also got to walk thru an atrium that has some really cool pathways and waterfalls.  It quickly became the Secret Magical pathway, where we found some fairies, found traces of trolls, and pots with lions feet that would come alive at night.  After lunch at Bob Evans, we left the Sartins in different directions...us on our way to Chattanooga.