Weekend in Tennessee {Part II}

The boys love going to visit my family in Tennessee.  They are so funny, the days leading up to our visit they usually talk about what they are going to do, who they are going to see and so forth.  Holden especially loves waking up extra early and having breakfast with my Granddaddy.  It is so funny!  He is like a little old man, he will sit in the kitchen with Granddaddy and just talk to him.  Not sure what they talk about but I am sure he gets an ear full.

Every trip we usually make our way out to Granddaddy's garden, his pride and joy.  Everything was in full bloom!

Rylan went straight to picking.

Holden decided he would help cut the grass.  I think if we lived closer, this would be the perfect job for him.

My cousin Paul taught the boys to shell.  Not old school shelling by hand but with the sheller.  This kept them busy for a while.

Our time in Tennessee is usually short, so we try to pack in as much time with family as possible.  We went swimming with my cousin's little boy Luke and the boys instantly fell in love with him.

Rylan and Luke were like two peas in a pod.  They swam and ran around together doing what little boys do.

Before we went swimming, my Aunt Becky told us to be back by 5:30 to eat dinner with everyone.  Not thinking much of it, we drove up to this....

My aunt had planned a surprise party for me.

I was totally surprised!  We walked in to a house full of family and tons of food.  Everything was my favorite color too, PINK!  My Aunt Becky had outdone herself!  My sister, mom, Aunt Rhonda, and even Granddaddy helped to get everything together while we were gone.  Just look at all of these yummies!

Again, Holden and Rylan were in heaven with all the family and kids to play with.  They especially liked the playing a family game of woof all ball.   My friend Jaime stopped by with her kids too.

Along with the sign on the front porch there was a vase of surprise lilies.

The story behind these lilies is that my Memaw planted these at my Aunt Rhonda's house a couple of years ago by the creek.  While she was out walking around that day, she saw that they were blooming.  She said it was a sign that she could not miss the party.

Since we all know my Memaw loved a good party!

We ended the night with cake and ice cream.

A great visit with family and a wonderful surprise party.  No wonder the kids did not want to come back Sunday morning, it was one non stop party.

On a side note, I am kicking myself for not taking pictures with all my of my family and more from the party but I promise, it was a good time had by all!

Weekend in Tennessee {Part I}

Thursday after Vacation Bible School and after we headed to Tennessee.  This was a bit of a last minute trip.  With school starting soon and practices beginning, I knew this would only be the only time we would be able to go.

After visiting with my family Friday morning, we decided to go on an adventure to the Tennessee Safari.  Not exactly knowing what to expect when we pulled up, I think we were all a little surprised.  First, let me paint the picture for you, we pull up in a minivan with Ohio plates and then when they told us that you feed the animals from the car....yep we were all in shock.  YIKES!  I thought we would go on a bus or something with a guide but oh no, we were set off into "the wild" on our own.

As you can see, the animals were waiting on us and I am quite certain they were thinking who are these yuppies?!  But we continued on...our first little encounter was a sweet deer, harmless.

And then the ostriches....WOW!

They were aggressive and to be honest, quite scary!  Even with the windows rolled up they were tapping on the window.

Kevin was the only brave one to feed them.

We drove on through the safari and fed several other animals which were pretty calm.

Until all of a sudden, it was the like the charging of the bulls except these were Emus (I think) either way, again scary.

Of course Rylan was loving this and you may wonder where Holden was, in the back on the floor yelling for Rylan to close the window and get out of here!  Yep, I think he gets his fears from me!

Finally we made our way out safely and then head to the walking path.  A little less scary, they fed the goats and the giraffe.

Poor little Leyton was not used to the Tennessee heat and humidity and was just looking for some cool air.

Well, our time at the safari was exciting to say the least.  I have a feeling we will be talking about this adventure for months to come especially with all the funny stories.  First Holden jumping over the seats to get to the back for "safety", Rylan calling the ostriches "the mean big guys", Kevin thinking the animals were "out to get us" and well, I think it is safe to say that my crew has lived in the city way too long we are turning into as my cousins would say, "City Slickers!"   Good times and funny memories that is fore sure!