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?

gymnastics 2016

The kids finished up their year in gymnastics with the annual Medals in May. Chris couldn't be there right at the beginning, so it was a little crazy trying to watch Elle and Todd, and Reese just did not understand why she couldn't play on everything. Both Elle and Todd have made a lot of improvements. The pictures below of them jumping in the pit completely describe the difference in their personalities. Todd embraces life full force, and Elle is more cautious. We also got to see the new remodeled gym and we're excited to get to use that when they start in the fall. Reese is going to be a natural I can just tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

gymnastics 2016

The kids finished up their year in gymnastics with the annual Medals in May. Chris couldn't be there right at the beginning, so it was a little crazy trying to watch Elle and Todd, and Reese just did not understand why she couldn't play on everything. Both Elle and Todd have made a lot of improvements. The pictures below of them jumping in the pit completely describe the difference in their personalities. Todd embraces life full force, and Elle is more cautious. We also got to see the new remodeled gym and we're excited to get to use that when they start in the fall. Reese is going to be a natural I can just tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Spangled Fried Chicken Dinner 2016

One thing we do really well at Mayfair is the Star Spangled Fried Chicken Dinner. A Sunday close to July 4th we meet for a fried chicken dinner, complete with members bringing homemade ice cream of all flavors. The highlight for the kids is a parade that they do through the family center with bikes, wagons, cars, or decorating themselves! I loved our little friend Ava's skates this year. One reason I love this event is the same as Trunk or Treat. It gives families a project to work on. They can come up with a unique flavor of ice cream or work on decorating their wheels. I think those projects are ways families can work together on a common goal, while building special memories. I look forward to the seasons when the kids are older and can have more input. The Star Spangled dinner is also a time our church family can fellowship together, and invite extended family and friends.

It's something Elle and Todd look forward to each year, and I'm sure Reese will too. This was her first year to ride her own bike. She had a little trouble with the line up, but once we got started she was into it! Todd had a tinsel issue with one wheel so I had to push. Still learning what decorations will work and what won't.
 
    

 

 

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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