Frozen lemurs

Inspired by the Ice Lantern Festivals in Harbin, China (as well as the promise of profits, I'm sure), the Gaylord Hotel near DC commissions ice artists to create holiday attractions made entirely out of ice. This year's theme was Merry Madagascar (the Dreamworks characters). 

While waiting in line, we passed by a touch screen wall where you could move pictures around and resize them, just like a giant iPad touch. 

 The girls could have stayed there all day. 

 Amusing ourselves after the touch screen wall. 

Good thing Amalia didn't do this inside the exhibit. Her face literally could have frozen this way. It's only 9 degrees inside.

 The ice sculptures.

 One of the ice artists making something or other. 

 The giant ice slide. We all took a trip or two--that ice is slick!

Lily going down the slide. 

Lily with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dave. It's easy to lose your party in the exhibit because everyone is wearing the same blue parkas. But I guess if penguins can find their mates in a sea of black and white, we shouldn't have had too much trouble.

Back in the warmer air, Amalia of course had to hug the penguin characters. She didn't stay to pose for an official picture despite the hotel guy's coaxings.

Thawing out on a train ride. 

My father and I in the ICE! photo booth. This emailed image was just about the only thing that was free.