Monday ----The Last Full Day of Fun

On Monday we decided to just hang out at the house. Emma's cold was getting better and the big plane ride was coming up on Tuesday. Trevor was just laying around looking cute and Emma played with her ducky and the kitchen toys.

David made some great ribs on the grill and we had some fresh corn bought at Chattanooga Market. As you can see Emma enjoyed them both.

Sadly, on Tuesday they left to go home. It was a great visit and we can't wait until they can come back again or we can go down to visit them. Najla and Ryan are such terrific parents. They are all so lucky to have each other and be such a nice family.

A Lazy Sunday

On Sunday we went to the Chattanooga Market, We met Glynda and Chris there and shopped around a bit. I forgot to take pictures.UGHHH. It was so crowded, but we were able to pick up some eggs, sourdough bread, blueberries, peaches and some green tomatoes.

 Emma saw this cute little wooden duck on a stick at the market. When you roll it the feet flap as you roll it across the floor. She loved it so of course it had to come home with us. She had the most fun pushing that thing all over the house.

Trevor was having fun too, just hanging around and getting attention from Pepere.

That little ducky had a workout.

 Emma had some banana strawberry snacks and Nicky thought she was eating his catnip treats. Any time a bag crinkles, he thinks it's for him. So he came running and sat in front of her begging for treats. So she had to accommodate him with his favorite catnip treats. Najla also gave him a nice brushy so he was very happy with our company all of a sudden.

July 5th. A Trip to the Zoo

On Saturday we took a littke trip to the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park. In the 11 years I have been here I have never been to this zoo. It was small, but nice and had a lot of shaded areas as you walked around. One of the first things we came to was the camel rides. We thought this was a great photo op and fun for Emma. Actually, it looked like fun for Ryan too.

Emma seems to be thinking "what's that camel thing about? They aren't going to make me ride that thing are they?"

And away they go!!!!!

Emma spotted the carousel and decided she would rather ride that than a stinky camel.

 We went all around the zoo, looking at birds, cats, snakes, monkeys and others.

            Next to the petting zoo where she fed the goats and saw the miniature horses and pigs.

 On our way out we stopped at the carousel for a ride. By this time she didn't seem to be feeling well as she had a cold and was cutting some new teeth. You can tell by the look on her face she wasn't her usual smiling self.

Trevor, however was having fun laughing and watching big sister on the carousel. I'm sure her can't wait to run and play with her.

 What a cutie pie he is. He is such a sweet boy and he loves to laugh and show that dimple.

 After the zoo, we went to Cheddars for lunch and then home. It was a big day for everyone.

July 4th at Glyndas

Our tradition for the 4th of July is to go to Glyndas' in Chatsworth for a cookout and get together. The kids all have a good time in the pool, swimming, diving and playing. This year was no exception.

Emma, loves the water and had a wonderful time on the steps of the pool. She has a big pool at home and is in the middle of taking swim lessons, so she was all for getting in the water here.

Look at that smile. That's one happy girl.

Catie was having a great time too.

                                    And the twins were busy eating, swimming and playing too.

                                           Emma was having fun putting the food away too.

                                      Cody has certainly grown up to be a very nice young man.

A FUN DAY

It's no secret that Emma loves water, so we got her a little pool for the back yard and a little flower fountain to play in. As you can see she had a great time.

The cutest view of all. Wearing nothing but a baseball hat.

In the afternoon we went over to Coolidge Park on the North Shore of downtown Chattanooga. They have a 100 year old carousel enclosed in a building. At first Emma didn't know what to think. After the first ride she was hooked and wanted more. 

This carousel was pretty fast moving and it was hard for Emma to see us standing along side. By the time she saw us we were gone. I did take a video, but it was too large for this blog, so it is posted on YouTube  under Tails from Tennessee at 

tp://youtu.be/6FU5p5yaFN4

Then we went over to the splash pad fountain which was next to the carousel. Again, at first Emma was a little unsure of what to do, but quickly figured out it was OK to play in the water fountain. I'm not sure who had more fun---Emma, Ryan, Najla, or us.

There is another YouTube video of fun at the splash pad here.

http://youtu.be/W8klapE_vPI

Back home for dinner--- meatloaf, mashed potatoes, purple hulled peas.And for desert, fresh blueberry pie with ice cream, a first for Emma. I think she enjoyed it.

A Wonderful Week

Najla, Ryan, Emma and Trevor arrived on Tuesday July 1st for a week long visit. I can't tel you how excited we were to have them come. It had been 3 months since we had seen them and we were just beside ourselves waiting for their arrival. It seemed like this day would never get here. They arrived at the Chattanooga airport right on time. Emma even seemed to recognize us. 

In preparation for their visit we had tried to prepare our house for a 19 month old and a 4 month old visit. Baby gates to the stairs went up, all the pack n plays came our, potty chairs and baby seats and lots of toys.  Dear friends of ours, Kim  and Sarah Thomas loaned us some of Sarah's things when she was a little girl.  A beautiful baby doll, a carriage full of stuffed animals, and a full kitchen with all the fixins. Emma went right for that baby doll as soon as she walked in the door.

She is obsessed  with strollers and insisted that Bentley who was quietly sleeping in HIS stroller have a baby doll of his own to cuddle with.

Of course all the stuffed animals had to go for a stroll around the house.

Trevor was very happy laying on a pile of quits for the time being.

I'll try to post a little more each day. We have so may pictures and videos it's hard to narrow them down.