Trains @ Cheekwood

A model of the Nashville Parthenon
Hunter decided this was his favorite train because it was the longest one "of all". (above and the picture below)



Mackenzie enjoying the music.

Hunter and I enjoying the music by a local band.

One of the things that we wanted to do while we were in Nashville was to visit the train exhibit at Cheekwood. Both Annmother and Nannie mentioned wanting to go (they both mentioned it on the same day). I looked into it a little more and found out that this summer they were having Family Nights on Thursday night. Tonight they had a band that played Jazzy kids tunes. It was really cute. Both Mackenzie and Hunter loved the music. Due to the rain earlier that afternoon, the show was indoors. The train exhibit was amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Hunter LOVED it. Everything, except for the trains, was made out of natural materials. The buildings that were in the exhibit were Nashville historical buildings. It was so much fun to watch him enjoy running around and looking at everything. We had a blast and are planning to come back next Thursday to enjoy it again.

Swimmin' Time in Tennessee

Nannie and Papa are leaving for Panama City and Colin's dolphin therapy tomorrow. With her needing to pack, Martha and I needed to be out of the house. We decided to go to the YMCA in Hendersonville with all of the kids. After getting everyone ready (which can be a lot of sunscreen and swimming diapers), we headed over. Briley fell asleep on the ride over. The kids loved the water and it was so good to enjoy all of them outdoors. They all love swimming and not one of them was fussy. It is hard to get them all together at Nannie's house and keep them all calm. The swimming pool was perfect. Their energy was all focused towards swimming. Briley slept until right before we left. Martha got some "QT" time with the nephews and Mackenzie while he slept. We all took good naps when we got home. (Just realized I didn't get Colin and Sara in the pics. Colin loves swimming and was active the whole time we were there. Sara ran into a few friends and was catching up with them.)

A Date with the Little Fellas

Luke sporting the Fireman attire and going to put out a fire.

Hunter had a blast riding around in the little cars.

Hunter and Luke filled up their shopping cards with all of the healthy choices that the grocer had to offer.

Kelly and I decided to meet up and have a little fella's play date on her day off. We met up and ate at Red Robbin at Indian Lakes. The boys loved looking around and being silly. At first Hunter was a little shy, but it didn't take him long to warm up. Afterwards, Kelly and I took the boys to "somewhere special" (as Hunter kept calling it), Peekaboo Place. This little play area had several different things set up for the kids to play. There were train tables, a fire station, police station, a grocery store, a theater stage, and a few climbing areas. I went and grabbed Kelly and I a coffee. We had a really relaxing visit as the boys ran around and played. Kelly had mentioned running over to World Market and I decided to go with her. Hunter asked where we were going and I told him, "Somewhere else special." We pulled in and he said, "Mom, this is not somewhere special for kids." My response, "This is somewhere special for moms." After the purchase of a Japanese Yo Yo, we headed back to Nannie and Papa's house for a nap. We had a great time with Kelly and Luke.

Family Time on Nesbitt Lane

These are just a few random snapshots...

Hunter was helping Aunt Martha give Briley a bath. He came and found me to ask if he could take a bath with Briley. They had a good time playing together.
Nannie had her snacks out feeding all three of the babies at once. They were like little birds.
Evan showing Briley how it is done.
Martha and Donnie seeing Evan walk for the first time.
Evan, Mackenzie, and Briley putting their hand prints on Nannie's door. She doesn't clean this door for weeks after we leave due to loving the look of their little hands.
Colin and I were playing around with Briley's Elmo pajamas. He was wearing them on his head and he thought it was funny.

Visiting with Mawmaw

We went to visit Mawmaw today. Daddy went with us. He loves spending time with Mawmaw and playing his guitar for her. Today Mawmaw was at Jeff's house. She had spent the 4th with them. My cousin Molly and her little one, Ellis, were there. It was cute to watch them interact. They didn't do much interacting, but when they did it was precious. We ended up having Mawmaw over for dinner at Mom and Dad's. I enjoyed walking with her through the garden. Sara brought over Evan and Martha was there with Briley. Hunter was on the farm and Colin was at home with Chad. It was a fun evening with my sisters and my nephews. I will miss having these random moments when we go back to Florida.

July 4th

This was the view from the backyard. The house was amazing. There was everything you could think of in the backyard: fire pit, several sitting areas, a grilling area, swimming pool, and so much beautiful landscaping.
The front of the house was even decorated to celebrate the 4th.
The view
This was on the side of the house. The patio wrapped all around the house and had seating on every side.
Hunter spent the entire evening on the water slide. It wore him out and took him a couple days to recover for exerting so much energy.


Mackenzie in her 4th attire given to her by Annmother.
Hunter taking a plunge into the pool.
Mackenzie enjoyed a ride with Eddie Bumpus.
Hunter was covered with grass and dirt from the slip and slide.
Mackenzie was put to sleep by the ride in the ATV.
She did wake up and watch the fireworks with it. She didn't flinch.
These pics are us enjoying the fireworks.

We were invited to join Frances Ann and Douglas at the Bumpus' for their 4th celebration. We showed up with food in hand and one happy boy ready to play. They had several different areas set up for the kids. Hunter ran from the pool to the super blow-up water slide to the slip-and-slide to the mini-blow up water slide and back again. We kept an eye on him, but for the most part he was on his own for the evening. He had a blast. The super blow-up slide was his favorite. Adam and I knew that this celebration was a big one, but had no clue how big. He ran into a few old friends from Cheatham High. We enjoyed good food and Mackenzie even enjoyed a ride around the farm. The evening ended with a fantastic fireworks show that lasted 30 minutes. Thank you Bumpus family for the invite and the memories.

Stepping Stone

Mackenzie's stepping stone for Nannie.

Hunter made Nannie and Annmother a stepping stone for his first Mother's Day (the one pictured above). This is our gift to them again for Mother's Day this year. We will be working on Annmother's next week. This was Nannie's final product.
Mackenzie was having a hard time going to sleep. Papa played his harmonica till she fell asleep. She loves spending time with him and enjoying his musical talents (guitar, whistling, and harmonica playing).
Hunter working on his stepping stone for Nannie.