memphis 2016

We had the weekend open between Chris' conference and mine so we took the kids to Memphis. We hadn't been there since Todd was six months old. We drove over Friday afternoon, and really only had time to check into the hotel and then do something quick. We wanted to squeeze in as much as possible. We had never been inside the pyramid while we lived there. We found out that they had the Bass Pro there now, which has several live fish displays and alligators, and decided that would be cheap entertainment. The kids loved it!

The next morning we ran to the zoo before it got hot and our other plans. They had added a new hippo camp, and the kids were really into it since they are obsessed with Lion Guard. We love the Memphis Zoo all around! We hit the main exhibits, and things we don't have at our zoo. I couldn't believe the picture that one of my students made when I taught her in Kindergarten was still there. Very faded, but still there! Once it got too hot we took a quick wade in the Nile.

After the zoo we met the Lewises at Huey's. Loved seeing them and getting to go to a local place to eat. At the end of the meal you of course must shoot your toothpick in the ceiling!

We went back to the hotel for a swim in the pool, and that evening took in a Redbirds game. I really love that stadium, especially after the sun went down and it cooled off a bit. The bigs scored a free hat. That night they had a fireworks show, which was oddly a tribute to Prince. The fireworks were great, some of the best I'd ever seen, but Todd fussed the whole way through like we were torturing him.

Sunday morning we got to go to the White Station church and had the lunch with the Blands. It was wonderful to visit with them again. This was the only shot we got that day. We must make a trip back there again, but much sooner. Except not during the Muggy! I forgot how humid it could be! Did we ever go outside during the summer while we lived there?

nashville part 1

Chris was presenting again at the Christian Scholars Conference and I was presenting at the Children's Spirituality Conference this summer, and both were at Lipscomb University back to back. So we loaded up the bear cubs and headed to Tennessee.



We really need a selfie stick! We stuck them three across, and packed up lots of play things because we were going to do the drive there in one day. They actually all did really well! They rotated between movies, toys, books, art, and legos. The legos were one of the best investments. They were so quiet for a really long time!





In order to not eat out so much we packed a cooler, and we stopped in Arkansas to have lunch. We got delayed a bit because we were able to stop in Little Rock and see our friends Matt and Angela and meet their new baby girl Joy. It was a very special time and I'm so glad we stopped. Hoping to get to see their other little girl Amelia next time.





We stayed at Montgomery Bell State Park for the first part of our trip. We got in so late the first night so we don't have any pictures until the next morning. Chris didn't have to be at his conference until that afternoon so we were able to explore a little bit. It was gorgeous around the inn. The kids wanted to paddle boat right away.





See we really need a self stick!



That afternoon we took Chris to Lipscomb and I took the kids to the science museum. It was free since we could reciprocate with our science museum membership! They had a really cool exhibit about dogs. Todd is educating the museum volunteer about coyotes that he picked up from Hank the Cowdog.






Elle really liked this play area where you could slide through the "small intestine" and it was make a sound like passing gas when you came out. (sigh!)



After playing at the museum we swung by the store to pick up more groceries, and then played and picnicked at Lipscomb while we waited for Chris to finish his evening.

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The next two days the kids and I stayed at the park while Chris went to the conference. We played around the inn, and they're favorite thing was swimming in the lake. They even didn't mind the fish that would come swimming up.
















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tn/ky trip part 3: memphis

Our next stop was Memphis! We hadn't been back since I was pregnant with Elle so I really wanted to catch up with friends and show Elle where we lived. We stayed with the Blands, who are some of the greatest people you could ever meet. Dr. Bland was Chris' professor at HUGSR and Nancy got me my job at Oak. We worked together for 3 years. It was wonderful to see her with our kids and for then to get to know the Blands. We didn't get to spend much time with Dr. Bland because he was teaching a short course, but we also got to meet Nancy's grandkids who came along right after we left. Elle had the best time playing with Benson, Sloane, and Blake Leigh. I even got to catch up with another friend, Lindsay, that I taught with. Thank you Blands for hosting us!

We took the kids to the Memphis Zoo. Still one of my favorites! They had expanded since we had lived there so the Teton area was new to me and Chris as well. It was beautiful! The highlights of this zoo were seeing the polar and panda bears.

 I couldn't believe this sign was still there and just needed a pic. One of my kindergarten babies drew this 7 years ago when they were getting ready to open the Northwest Passage where the polar bears are.  I realized that class will be going into 7th grade this year! Wish I could have seen some of them, but I have no idea where they all are now. (Yes, Todd is knocked out!)

This zoo has an egyptian theme for the opening because there's also a Memphis in Egypt. They have a nice water area to play in so Elle and Chris waded around for a bit.

Next, we stopped by HUGSR. The mansion, grounds, and apartments still look the same! We got to see some old professors and neighbors. And, for you HUGSR folks I even got a glimpse of the Cec! So many memories came flooding back from our first 3 years. Elle like running around the grounds and we had to get a quick swing. We knocked on the door of our old apartment, but no one was home.

I fully expected to arrive in The Muggy when we got the Memphis, but we had great weather. Going back reminded me how much we need to make a regular visit. We didn't get nearly enough time to really look around. And, I steered clear from the Pottery Barn Outlet since we were flying. Hopefully, we can go back soon!

tn/ky trip part 2: paducah

While we were in the neighborhood we decided to add a trip to Paducah to our friends Erin and Justin. I loved our time there! We had a blast and it reminded me how richly blessed we are with wonderful friends. We had great conversations, yummy food, beautiful weather (minus the storm/flat tire incident) and exciting adventures. Elle even started telling people she lived in Paducah once we were in Memphis. And I'm sure Erin is still finding Sesame Street stickers all over the place!

Erin and Justin have a wonderful house. We got some good porch swing, playing on the steps, and soccer time in too!

While we were there they had Bikes on Broadway, which is a major street downtown that they blocked off for a few hours for people to ride around. The kids crashed not long after we started, but then we could ride around longer. Think we need to get a bike trailer!

We also went to a cookout with their church friends. This game is called corn hole. You throw bags of corn through holes. You'll have to ask Chris if you want to know how to keep score. Elle had a good time with the kids, and feeding the fish in the pond.

 Saturday nights in the summer Paducah has Live on Broadway (the street from before). The street is blocked off so you can walk up and down to check out the river, live music, other performers, and the antique shops. Elle took advantage of the giant slide and the Hooked on Science table.

You also can check out Kentucky at it's finest! Oh, how I wish this picture showed Creepy Feather Earring Man from the front!

We took a little drive to the lake to play miniature golf and do a safari walk. I think Justin won, not sure now because we had to get out of there pretty quick because of a bad storm. We learned that Elle stays entertained through about 9 holes and then she was done.

 We got in a quick bike ride to the park too even though we had to play in the dark. It's weird going from about the latest spot in the central time zone to some of the earliest spots.

Wish we could have stayed longer! Miss you Lewises! Thanks for having us!