A Magical Weekend at the Greenbrier

We spent last weekend at the Greenbrier Resort for Morgan's dad's 80th birthday.   I was a big ball of stress leading up to the trip- heading to a nice hotel with a 4 year old, newly potty-trained 2 year old, and an infant was, quite frankly, terrifying.  Just the packing alone was a massive feat of organization, aided by copious lists scribbled on my ever-present yellow legal pads.

We arrived Friday at lunchtime, ate lunch at Draper's, got settled in the room, then met up with the cousins for bowling!  I have two new bowling fans now- I wish I had a picture of Dell Harper in her bowling shoes.  It was absolutely adorable.

A babysitter arrived around 5:30- we had conveniently met her earlier, as she also works at the toy store at the resort.  Amanda was fabulous!  I said goodbye to all three kiddos, and they settled in for some television and room service.  They were in hog heaven!

Outfit matching decor perfectly?  Goals achieved.

We met the rest of the family for Italian at Forum, then hit up the casino for a little gambling (the boys), and Prosecco and people watching (me).

Saturday morning we breakfasted at the buffet in the main dining room, which was outstanding, albeit a little stressful with the kiddos.  I could have lingered over my hot tea and tried each delicious item.  Alas, that is not my stage in life.  Instead, I explored every bit of the hotel with amped up kiddos, and Tommy in the stroller.  We rode a lot of elevators. And admired a lot of snow.

 I was busy admiring the decor.

Then we met Morgan's brother, sister and nephew at the pool for the kids to do some swimming.

 I was dying to go for a swim, but we headed off for our tour of the bunker that was built to house all of Congress during the Cold War in case of fall out from a nuclear attack.

It was fascinating.

It was also about 45 minutes too long.  Plus our tour guide went over- causing Morgan and I to panic a bit, since I had to feed Tommy.  My poor sister-in-law was stuck with a hungry, tired baby.  So we tried to sneak out at the end.  Due to my explorations with Dell Harper and Deeds, I knew my way out.  Morgan whispered, "C'mon, let's just go" and we sidled our way to the exit.  Immediately to be reprimanded, "SIR! If you will step into the dining area, you will see where members of Congress would have eaten food. . ."  BUSTED.

As soon as we got to the wrap up area, Morgan whispered, "GO!", and I dashed for the elevator and snuck out successfully.  HA!

After the bunker tour, it was time for my most-anticipated event!  A SLEIGH RIDE.  Drawn by horses.  In the snow!!

Do you see how excited I am?  Also, how warm?  It was 6 degrees.  Plus the wind-chill.  I gave Morgan my hat.  I didn't even need it!

 He asked me the night before we left if I brought a warm coat.  I replied, "Yes, I packed the warmest coat I have."  He looked a bit askance that I would be tromping around West Virginia in my full length mink (vintage, PETA peeps, no worries).  It's really the only winter coat I have.  Plus, I was nice and toasty.  And glamorous.

About five minutes in, Deeds finally piped up.  He turned to me and asked "When we gonna start flying?"  It liked to break my heart.  Poor buddy thought we were on Santa's sleigh.  I explained that it only flies when Santa is on it with his magic.  He nodded thoughtfully, then went back to snuggling between us and looking around.

 This little girl did a lot of complaining about the sub-artic temperatures. then promptly lay in the snow as soon as we finished our sleigh ride.  Hatless! I was cracking up!

Snow angels and snowball fights promptly ensued, much to my amusement.

Saturday evening we left the kiddos to room service and the sitter, and headed into nearby Lewisburg.  My father in law attended Greenbrier Military Academy for high school.  They have a little alumni museum that houses memorabilia from the school.  After almost two hours spent on the bunker tour, I was feeling a little museum/history fatigue.

However, I was instantly re-energized once I started poking around.  I've never met a library or a bit of research I didn't love, and I pounced on yearbooks and football team pictures and photos from dances held at the Greenbrier in the mid 50's .

Basketball picture, and Senior Picture.  According to the yearbook, my father-in-law was quite popular with the gals at the nearby girls' school.

We had a lovely birthday celebration dinner in Lewisburg, then headed to bed.

In the midst of mass chaos trying to leave, I begged my family for one good picture of all of us.  Mom guilt game?  Running hot here.

You see the crease in my forehead?  Trying to get this one photo with four recacitrant participants might necessitate me getting botox.  I'm framing every single shot, by damn.

Hmmm, you made it to the end.  Synopsis?  Go to the Greenbrier.  It's really fun even with 3 kids under the age of five.  In negative degree weather.  Dell Harper cried when we got home because she missed the hotel so much.  I concurred with that sentiment.

This is Deeds at afternoon tea.  He concurs as well.