Downtown OWA Christmas Show and Tropic Falls Theme Park and Water Park

While on our fall break trip to Gulf Shores, AL we attended an evening event at Downtown OWA in Foley, AL.  It was their annual Christmas tree light show and fireworks event.  It was very fun and festive, and I'm glad it took place while we were there so we could attend.

 After a Christmas concert, Santa made an appearance to count down to the tree lighting.  

 

Before the fireworks began, they had a snow machine blow snow over everyone.  I loved that! 

 

Christmas fireworks show 

 

 

 

a video of the tree lighting and fireworks show

It was fantastic! 

 

 

What a fun night! 

 

 

The next day we were back there at Tropic Falls.  It is a theme park and indoor water park on the same property.  The indoor water park is what the boys were most wanting to do and was the main reason we chose Gulf Shores as our fall break destination. It did not disappoint, and they both loved it! 

 

 

Our family at Tropic Falls 

 

We began the day riding a few rides.  The first one was a giant roller coaster named Rollin' Thunder. 

 

 

 

A photo after we got off the ride.

 

 

another fun ride we rode 

 

Cruz and I rode the Twister.  

 

 

When we were done riding, we headed to the indoor water park and spent the rest of the day between water slides and the lazy river. 

 

 

Tropic Falls indoor water park in Foley, AL 

 

 

 

a video of our time at Tropic Falls

 

Christmas Day 2024

We got to bed really late on Christmas Eve and made a deal with the boys to let us sleep in until 8:00 a.m. on Christmas morning.  I think it was the latest we have been able to sleep in on a Christmas morning since we had kids. At 8:00 a.m. on the dot though they burst into our room eager for us to get up so they could open gifts.

 

the boys ready to open presents on Christmas morning

 

Cruz's WhatsApp mug.  Ben got a YouTube one.

 

Ben got a new hat.  He got one last year for Christmas but accidentally left it on an airplane on one of our trips earlier this year.  It was one of his first Christmas requests this year.

 

Ben checking his stocking for all the different candy he had asked for.  He is our candy man and loves anything sweet.

 

 

they got a mega gummy bear

 

Ben wanted an alarm clock for his bedroom.

 

a family gift that we will all enjoy

One of my gifts was these beautiful purple juice cups that Cruz picked out.

 

I spent the morning cooking.  Here is our table set for Christmas lunch.

 

At noon on Christmas Day, everyone shoots firecrackers.  We went outside to light a few of our own.

 

Our Christmas Day lunch.  We had ham, carrot souffle, corn casserole, mac n' cheese, Lima beans, deviled eggs, crescent rolls, and sweet tea.

 

 

David and Cruz eating lunch on Christmas Day.

 

We spent the rest of the day relaxing.  We watched several movies.

 

 

We ended the night watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was my first Charlie Brown video to watch since my dad passed away.  I thought it might make me sad, but instead, it brought me comfort and made me smile.  I am thankful for that!

 

Christmas Eve 2024

 We began our Christmas Eve celebration with a snowman pancake breakfast.  This has been our Christmas Eve tradition since the boys were very small.   I decorate them a little different each year, but the idea is still the same.

 

For Cruz's main Christmas gift, he asked for a desk for his bedroom.  We shopped around for one but ended up having one hand made for him.  He chose the design that he wanted and gave drawings to the men who made it.  We picked up the wood a few days before Christmas and the metal legs were delivered a day later.

 

 

On Christmas Eve morning David and Cruz worked together to assemble it.

 

Cruz with his new desk. 

 

He loves it!

 

For lunch I cooked shrimp Alfredo pasta with Texas toast.

 

Later that afternoon we went into town for coffee.

 

That evening we attended a beautiful candlelight service. 

 

a short video from the service

We love singing Christmas carols in Spanish.

 

 

me and Cruz

 

Ben with his friend Ethan

 

After the service everyone enjoyed a traditional tamale meal.

 

my Christmas Eve supper

 

 

Ben with his friends Ethan and Noah at church

 

After eating, we walked around town to see the Christmas lights.

 

 

We came home and watched Home Alone.

 

our family on Christmas Eve

 

We shot fireworks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed up until midnight to see the main fireworks go off.  At midnight on Christmas Eve, everyone in Guatemala shoots fireworks.  It is very loud but also very pretty. 

 

 a video of the midnight fireworks

 

 

We came back in and got the boys to bed.  I then set out the Christmas gifts and got everything ready for the next morning.

 

We got to bed around 1:00 a.m.  We were tired but excited for Christmas Day.