Tennessee 2009

We finally got to go on our summer vacation last week. We traveled up to Georgia then to Tennessee to find some cooler weather and to enjoy just being away for a few days!

Our first stop was to Dillard, Georgia which is a very small town right on the Georgia/North Carolina line. But, they have this awesome restaurant called the Dillard House which actually use to be a real home owned by the Dillard Family. It is some of the best food I have ever eaten! We do seem to travel according to where great food is served! They serve down home southern food- one menu a night and you get all of it at your table to enjoy. Our menu consisted of Ham, Fried Chicken, Smothered Steak, Okra, Squash, Butter Beans, Green Beans, and a lot more that I can not remember. Plus, homemade biscuits and cheese cornbread. And, to finish we ended with blackberry cobbler a la mode.

We've been here many times on our way to white water rafting trips but we've never stayed. So, we booked a 'Chalet' thinking it would be extremely nice, full of antiques. But, it wasn't. It was a very, very old house that smelled musty. And, it felt damp. But, it was for only one night.

Here is Turner posing in front of the 'Chalet'.

We had a few horses as neighbors

Our first morning, my Dad and Wes had a white water rafting trip scheduled. So, we dropped them off early and then mom, Turner and I headed back to let Turner enjoy his first Horse ride.

Turner getting saddled up

Mom guiding Turner and 'Shorty'

Then, it was my turn

We then ate, yes again, at a great place called Rumor Haz It for lunch. Their chicken salad wrap was awesome along with a fab dessert with banana cake and caramel: to die for! We headed back to pick the guys up and travel on up to Pigeon Forge.

Turner and his daddyWe traveled on up the very curvy mountain trying not to notice the motion sickness that all of us were enduring! That is not a fun car ride. We finally arrived and checked into our absoulute beautiful cabin that overlooks the smokies! Our cabin was literally hanging off the side of a mountain.

Our view:We spent the next few days in Gatlinburg and at Dollywood. Dollywood was extremely nice and clean with lots of rides for kids. Turner loved the River Battle ride (although secretly I think this was my dad's and Wes' favorite ride too!). On this ride, you get in a boat with water guns and shoot the people that are not on the ride who also have water guns! Needless to say, all the boys were soaked after this! There were more grown ups shooting water at each other than there were kids!And, we ended our trip by visiting Dixie Stampede which is a dinner theatre with music and horses and, of course, great food. But, you don't get to use any utencils!

Here is the upstairs to our cabin. It had a pool table and an air hockey table that kept Turner occupied in the mornings and at night.

And, this is our cabin.

And, that was our trip for this year.

A Visit from the Drehers

We got a visit from Wes' good friends, Chris, Lyndee, and Rachyl, this past week. Chris is in the military and lives in Georgia but whenever they come home to visit, they usually stay with us. Their daughter is just 2 months older than Turner. So, Turner had a blast all week with a playmate every evening.

Turner, Anden, and Rachyl getting ready to eat Johnny's Pizza

All 3 kids had to ride in the same car. It is not easy putting 3 car seats side by side!

Turner and Rachyl with wild hair in the bathtub

July 4th Weekend

July 4th weekend was spent, of course, at my parents' house on the lake. We did absoulutely nothing but soak in the sun and eat tons of food! A great way to spend a long weekend. I did catch some great photos of everyone playing on the water so enjoy!

Turner

My mom's new dock that is over run with flowers

Turner floating in the water

Wes and Turner enjoying a popsicle

My sister and her friends getting ready to be pulled on the blue tube. My dad is on the jetski.

I love the expressions on their faces as they are being pulled behind the boat!

Me, Wes, and Madison trying to hold on!

Mom and dad pulling the kids on the tube

One last pull around the lake before the sun goes down and the fireworks go up!

Turner's 4th Birthday Bash

My baby boy is turning 4 this week and to celebrate the big occasion, we had a party at my parents' home on the Lake. My parents rented a huge water slide and my dad fried fish. We had great friends come out and party with us: The Arnolds, Normands, 1/2 of the Turners, and 2/3 of the Farrars. Thanks to all for great gifts and good times!

Turner, Lexie, and the new kitty

Turner trying out the water slideTurner's face after the first slide
Turner, Wes, and Zack
Wes and Zack
Anden

Lexie, Turner, and Anden

Lexie and PatrickTurner blowing out the candlesCutting the cakeTurner and Anden trying on the new presents Turner got! Turner is an LSU TIger and Anden is Spiderman

A Day at the Races

Wes and I have lived down the street from Louisiana Downs for almost 6 years and have never visited the horse track until the other day. We met our neighbors up there to watch a few live races. It was actually kinda fun. Although, Turner had a breakdown when his horse did not win and he started to cry!

Turner and his daddy

Lexie

Turner and Lexie

Zack

And, they're off!

My Birthday

Ahh, my favorite day of the year is my birthday. I love just having a day about me. And, my son loves to celebrate birthdays even when they are not his! I think its because I let him blow out the candles and he gets to enjoy cake.

Wes bought me cupcakes from Cush's-YUMMY. Here Turner and I are blowing out my 1 candle:

Turner and Me
And, for my birthday present, my sweet husband, parents, my sister, and Ryan all rolled up their sleeves and helped spruce up our yard for the summer. We planted tons of flowers and trees. And, the boys built Turner a new swing set in the backyard. I will post pics soon!!

New Orleans Jazz Fest '09

April 24th we packed up our car and cruised down south to Covington, La to visit the Polos and to rock out at Jazz Fest. I had been planning this for awhile because the Imagination Movers were performing and Turner loves them! They are on the Disney Channel but they are based out of New Orleans. So, I figured Isabella would love them, too!

Walking to the pond in Polo's neighborhood

Turner and Isabella

Waiting in line at Jazz Fest with the kids.

Turner and Isabella waiting for Imagination Movers to perform onstage

Turner enjoying Imagination Movers from the best seat in the house: Daddy's shoulders!

Imagination Movers

It was very hot with no shade at the Fair Grounds so we ended up leaving quite early with the kids. So, we learned our lesson that kids + Jazz Fest does not equal fun! We took them to McDonalds and then to the Aquarium.

Turner and the dinosaur at the Aquarium.

Aubre and Isabella

We brought the kids back to the Polos' and let them play. Isabella ended up not feeling very good so we just camped out the rest of the evening at the house and eating in. Then we finished off the weekend with brunch at the Broken Egg.

The second weekend of Jazz Fest we left Turner with my parents and headed back down to enjoy some adult time. First, we brought Aubre some take-n-bakes from Johnny's Pizza on Friday. Saturday, Wes and Garrett played golf all day while Aubre and I enjoyed lunch at the Cheese Factory (Amazing Cheese!!) and then off to see Jon Bon Jovi!

Can you see Bon Jovi?
Aubre and I in our Bon Jovi shirts that I purchased online so we could be "huge fans"! We are such nerds.

We didn't get to see Bon Jovi up close nor did he point us out in the crowd and want us backstage but we had a great time rocking to the music we grew up to!

We finished our night off at the Melting Pot with the boys. And, then got up Sunday morning to eat, yet again, at the Broken Egg. Then it was back to reality! We had a fantastic time in Covington/ New Orleans as always.