Chattanooga Vacation Day 3: Hangin' Around

This day was a day of just playing and relaxing.  Audrey and Mae and so much fun playing together especially with the Nativity Set that plays music; we heard music from that about half the day.  Watching those two was one of our favorite parts of the trip.  We took a walk down to the creek which was a disappointment because there was a big landing down there but you couldn't get to it.  So it was just a quick walk down a very steep hill, look at the dirty creek, and then go back up the steep hill.  It was good exercise for the day though.  We also played games, got in the hot tub, and went to the park.

Many of us didn't even know what the other side of the Nativity Set looked like until much later in the day because it was always being used

Our view down to the creek

This landing was fenced off so we couldn't run around and play down there

This was about as much space as we had to roam around next to the creek

Mae with the cabin way up there

Audrey did find a big stick to play with

Throwing sticks into the creek

A steep trip back

Grandpa kept telling them not to push the button to the music  again and when they did he would have this reaction

This is Audrey and Mae getting ready to initiate the Grandpa reaction

They loved it!

A little Jenga anyone?

It looks like everyone is doing their own thing

Game on!

Good job, Mae!

She was forced to do this - I'm not sure who was more upset about it - Mae or her mother

It all worked out fine though

A ride in the park

Aunt Kylee spinning with Mae

Madilyn and Uncle Ryan doing the running man

Again, Anna was just happy to be there

Disappointed it's dark - they loved chasing each other on the porch

Chattanooga Vacation Day 2: Christmas & Museum

It was the Spjut Family Christmas morning. We did our individual gift exchange in the morning where everyone had drawn a name.  We then got ready, packed some lunches, and headed to the Chattanooga Children's Museum.  It was a really cool place and the kids loved it (if the adults say they didn't love it too, they are lying).  In the evening, Grandma and Grandpa busted out their gifts for everyone.  It was a very full but very fun day. -T

"Christmas morning" (actually this was the night before, but it was still dark here so it seemed more "Christmas morningish" and I didn't have much in the ways of a bunch of people in a picture in the morning so this will have to do

Anna - ready for her first Christmas

Everyone loves Grandpa

Anna was too slow to the party

The cousins gift exchange - Mae looks as if she really didn't know what she was getting them

To: Mae/Anna From: Madilyn/Audrey

Anna was happy to just get the paper from the gift

Mae tried to thank Audrey with a hug - totally rejected.

Lindsey's magical gift from Amie - she has wanted this for awhile now

Who needs new toys when you have a "horse" already in the house!

Pushing the horsey

The Children's Museum - Aunt Kylee and Aunt Jackie bringing the fun

Grandpa trying to stay in the seat and balance to hold granddaughters at the same time

Anna wanted to play bowling with the Chess pieces

Mae was unsure about this water in the beginning; Anna loved it right away.   Eventually Mae warmed up to it and even starting drinking it

Aunt Jackie and Mae preparing for the slide

Good timing on the picture, Dad! (Yeah, I nailed it!)

She would need a little nudge from time to time but she grasped it

This was not easy for an adult to get up through

I was actually very surprised she just did this without help -  it was a long way down!

Happy!!! Nope, just "showing her teeth"

Just chillin'

We pumped this lever to get water to come out down the funnel; it excited Mae that she would bounce and forth  - I got a good shot of her hair on the bounce

Shooting the water up

Possible Mae's favorite part - you would push a button to have that specific instrument join into the song that was already playing - Mae directed it 

We were here awhile

Grandpa and Mae dancing

The other side of it

Mae and Anna are going to put on a play

Nope, Anna doesn't think it's a good idea

Something is spooking Aunt Kylee out behind the puppet show - from her reaction I thought it was nothing less than a tarantula 

It was just the creepy eyes

Madilyn and Audrey DID put on a play - I got to be the stage guy doing  the sun and clouds...Madilyn should write plays as the 2 or 3 she came up with were VERY entertaning

Mae thought she would bow even though she really didn't want to be in it

Playing with Aunt Amie

Mae and Audrey as if they were bees

Busy bees

Across the parking lot is the home of the FORMER AA Reds Affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts (currently the Dodgers AA affiliate)

Up in the tower

In the tower with Grandpa

Anna got a nap during the afternoon and was happy

She wouldn't do this bubble toy when we first got there, but like I said, she got braver during the afternoon and by the end was willing to do it

Mom feeding Anna

The gifts then started up again - Mae (and Audrey) absolutely loved this gift!

Telling Aunt Kylee how excited she is for the music playing Nativity Set

Anna liked hers too

But again, mainly the paper

I wanna say it might be too big for her for another month or so

Mae helping Mom

Anna's just happy to be there