Train Ride

Each Thursday during the summer our family has a Family Fun Day.  Brian takes the day off work and we doing something together.  Last week we went to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We go up there nearly every year.  There is so much to do in Chattanooga and this year we decided to do at least one thing we hadn't done before.  We went to Rock City (which we did a couple years ago) and our new thing was riding a train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.  I made this video from the pictures and video I took of our visit.  I decided just to "feature" Landon in this one.

You Capture - Water

I didn't have time to edit and get these posted yesterday so I'm linking up a day late to Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry.  All these water-themed pictures were taken Wednesday evening (the rainbow) and Thursday (aquarium and waterfall pics).

Here's where a wide-angle lens would have been handy.  Maybe one day I'll figure out how to put 2 or 3 photos together to make a panoramic shot.

The rainbow definitely counts in this week's theme because

#1. you can't have a rainbow without water & 

#2. Genesis 9:11 -  "I establish my covenant with you: 

Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; 

never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

Having a great time at the stingray touch tank at the Tennessee Aquarium.
They all got to touch one this time.

Look!  There's even a picture of me taken by a sweet stranger.

I love all the hands-on learning activities here.

After the aquarium we took the kids to Ruby Falls for the 1st time.  It is awe inspiring.

Go check out some more incredible water pics and link up your own at:

Pictures

These are my favorite scenic shots from Saturday. Rock City is such a beautiful place; it's so easy to take pretty pictures!

Jo, this one's for you.
June Bug walked by this stone, one of about 3,643,195, and said, "Look! Maine!"
Yes, he's 8 and he's brilliant.

Brian's Birthday, Part Deux! Because we love to drag this whole birthday thing out as long as we can around here!

After seeing Rock City we ate at Cheeburger! Cheeburger! (who in the world came up with that name, anyhow?! I'm sure it says on their website so if you really want to know I'm certain you can find out.) Then we walked across the street to the Tennessee Aquarium. We only had enough energy left to visit The Ocean Journey side. The kids wanted to see the sharks and penguins and Brian and I had not been to the TN Aquarium since the second building has been built.

So serious!

I promise I'm not dumping her in!
Her little arms never did reach down far enough to touch any stingrays but she had a blast trying.

Who's GORGEOUS child is that?!
Oh! Mine! All mine!

Lady Bug with a butterfly

I hope that butterfly doesn't think that's a cave to fly into!
Sorry, I can't help myself! "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

Um, yeah, my camera decided it was too tired to focus any longer.

After today, I'm kind of wishing I had one of these tank things to put them in (Lady Bug mostly) to muffle ALL. THE. WORDS. COMING. OUT. OF. HER. MOUTH. She's still talking, singing actually, even though I've put her to bed twice and she spent about an hour in the pool and a good 40 minutes in the tub tonight. Oh my gosh! at the energy!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! part 1

For Brian's 39th birthday we took a trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. We visited Rock City and the Tennessee Aquarium. I wondered if the kids would have enough stamina to make it to both places without any meltdowns. I didn't need to worry about that at all; they did great! The weather was beautiful and there were not too many people at either place. The only disappointment of the day was that our favorite restaurant, The Pickle Barrel, changed to an "Age 21 and older" establishment because smoking is allowed inside.

Grandma and the kids

June Bug blazing the trail.

Look at Lady Bug ready to climb over the edge!

Cuddle Bug looking out over the 7 States.

no explanation needed


Taking a break while a quick rain shower passes by and while I run down to the store to get more batteries for the camera.

What a gorgeous place!

Daddy holding up the 1,000 ton balanced rock!!

Looking at the gnomes behind bars. : )