Tennessee Trip

Hey Everybody! We're back from TN trip seeing D's family and thought I would give you the day by day overview. All in (hideous) volunteer orange.

TUESDAY: Smooth travels. Pic taken at the airport where the kids loved watching planes.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY: spent time relaxing with D's family and driving around taking trips back in time to see the house where I lived in high school, my apt. after college, our first apt. when we got married and our first house in Nashville. E was interested in these historical landmarks this time. It is interesting to see how things change. Thursday p.m. I went out to eat with my sister and D and the boys went for dinner with his parents, sister in law and cousin N and then to see cousin Z practice football.

FRIDAY: Thanks to Nena and Pop for taking the boys so D and I could have some time to ourselves in the morning. Friday evening we went to my sister T's house for a cookout. My parents, sister L and her kids were there as well as my friend P (that I taught with) and her granddaughter. A great time was had by all!!!

SATURDAY: a.m. The whole crew picked up my friend from college (Hi A!) and we went to the hotel where the Virginia gang is staying. Chaos and fun in the pool ensues. After the kids are worn out we lunch and head to home base for some rest before an evening cookout with D's parents and their camping buddies. Could the kids have more fun? YES! read on.

SUNDAY: Zoo! Yes we do seem to go to the zoo a lot: the kids love it and I do too (D, not so much). This was attended by D's parents, sister R and Cousin Z, my parents, sister T, sisterL and cousins S and G, plus the five of us.... we were quite a group!

Zoo highlights include hand feeding birds nectar, the red panda, giraffes, and the merry go round ride. E turned a corner on getting his picture taken--- he could not get in front of the camera enough; here is E on the merry go round. G has fallen in love with a new animal: giraffe. This was the first time he saw them and he fell for them hard. We will have to go to the Virginia zoo and feed them on our next trip east.

In the evening on Sunday we had a big meal with D's uncles and aunts, sister and her family and sister in law and cousin N. Another big day for all of us.

MONDAY brings a more relaxed pace and goodbyes to the Virginia gang who head home. Thanks for making it over to see us while we were on the "east side".

TUESDAY: We head downtown to look at tourist traps in Nashville in the morning.

The boys have a weepy morning since they know goodbyes to Nena and Pop are coming. Thanks to Nena and Pop for all your hospitality.

Our flight leaves a bit late and is quite bumpy but we arrive in WA in one piece. We pull out of the airport garage as D asks "how do we know we are back in the Pacific NW?" and raindrops hit the windshield in reply; but from somewhere in the back seat E says "Mommy has goose bumps." I'm cold so we must be home.

love and hugs and remember: it is always good to go back to see where you come from; it helps you assess where you are and help you plan where you want to go.

B