Sunday, August 26, 2012

Chatty, times two.

So the weekend before the bar exam, MP2 and I discussed our options and thought it best to get the *&$# out of dodge!  As with all things, we decided to class it up!  I rustled up a subset of Hamiters, along with their mini-van, and we packed two adults, two teenagers, and three kids in and headed down to Chatty for a night.  Of course, it was the same night as some Little League baseball series something-something, which left us with two rooms at the La Quinta by the interstate, but hey, at least there was a pool!

Our first stop when getting to town was the splash park beside the aquarium.  It was fun to get our feet wet and to check out the long board paddle boarders on the Tennessee River.  



After naps, we headed to dinner at Urban Stack.  It was delicious (and Asa does not have the straw IN his nose, it's just an unfortunate camera angle) :)
Silas does cute things like reading to Max in an effort to throw me off the fact that he's going to be showing Max the ropes in about 15 years!
 What better Sunday morning activity than a ride on the Incline Railroad up Lookout Mountain?
These penny spinners are neat, and a good way to get rid of unwanted change as you wait on your train!
 Hours of fun!



 Getting ready to ride!


 At the top.
  
Max couldn't love Ella more!
 

 Heading back down the mountain...
And on the southeast side of Nashville, finally everyone went to sleep.  We had a GREAT trip - the kids were all so much fun and what's not to love about the La Quinta at 8pm on Saturday night?!?!

Take Two!
MP heard about how much fun we had while he was holed up in the library getting ready for a very stressful two days...so, when it was all said and done and then he had a work trip to Chattanooga a couple of weeks later, he suggested our joining him.  Which we did, and had a great time.  This time, we headed to the North side of the river, which was such a great neighborhood.  We hung out at Coolidge Park, where there was a great (free!) splash park and tons of green space overlooking the river. 







 We then lunched at Brewhaus, which was awesome.  The neighborhood along the northside of the river is just our speed, and it was fun to have the time to check it out.

I have to say, Chatty, we love you and we'll be back!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Keeping up is hard to do

Post-birthday July found us killing time waiting for MP to take the bar.  The test was at the end of July (about a month ago, in fact) and it's been great having him back.  I think he'd tell you that for the first time in years having his evenings and weekends back with no studying hanging over his head is pretty amazing.  Anyways, things like blogging have taken a backseat as we've been catching up on TV & Movies, family walks and playtime and the like.  It's been fun.

Here's a photo roundup of the last six weeks or so.

My little nut hides out in a cabinet in his room from time to time.
"They call me the fireman" 
Catching rays at the YMCA
Checking out pictures of Ama & Grandpa
Smiling on cue...finally!
Loves the nature play area at Shelby...
...especially since there is an elevated "choo-choo railroad bridge" that sees quite a bit of traffic running alongside the park.

I suppose there is a method to his organizational madness.  Or else he's going to end up all high strung like his momma.

Enjoying a picnic with Hollemans at Cheekwood the day the bar test ended.  LOVE Farmer Jason and can't wait to catch another show soon.



Hamiters
Popsicles
Cotton Candy
Ice Cream
(anyone seeing a theme)
Balloons
Bounce Houses



It's been pretty hot, but not too hot for family trips to the park!

I am really going to try to get back to semi-regular blogging.  MP2 has been just so much fun lately, and I want to capture these memories.  Time is just flying by so fast, and I don't want to forget the things that seem so memorable right now.  So, there you have it.  Someone please hold me to it!  :)

Friday, August 24, 2012

My (Not So) Tiny Dancer

I think he's as cute as can be, but goodness knows he hasn't got a prayer on the dance floor.  I only hope the hair can carry him through.