Chattanooga Vacation Day 4: Packin' Up and Lots of Tears

On the last day, Aunt Karla, Uncle Gary, Ally and her boyfriend joined in the fun.  We packed up and headed for home after lunch.  It was a terrible ride home!  Anna cried most of it, it rained, and when it didn't rain, we got hit with some weird wintery mix.  The last 2 hours was driving in the dark with the weird mix.  We only stopped once and Anna had a bad diaper rash, but we MADE it, and we vowed we'd never take a trip again (at least without a van)!  We were so glad to get home, especially with the nice surprise we came home to! -T

Mae slept VERY well at night - you can see why a king-sized bed didn't  necessarily mean we had all the room we wanted when we slept

If I ever build a house for us - our bedroom will have a balcony - I've always liked balconies

Story time: Mae is very routine oriented.  When I didn't have a cup for her after she would brush her teeth at night, I grabbed this soap box that I dumped the soap out of.  It was only supposed to be for the first night, but when I tried to use a real cup the next night - Mae wanted the box.  It leaked everywhere, but it kept her routine. =)

She gave it a thumbs up

Mom and Mae

More story time: The night before this, I brushed Mae’s teeth and then started filling up the Jacuzzi so Lindsey could take a bath after the girls went down, plus Mae liked playing with the nozzles that she could reach.  I pushed the jets to make sure they worked and they did.  So, we waited and waited for it to fill while Mae played with the nozzles (I made sure it was going to be warm).  Once the water was above the jets Mae wanted to push the Jacuzzi jets again.  By this time, Lindsey was getting annoyed and wondered what we were doing.  She came to the bathroom door just as I was pushing the jet button.  I’m not sure what happened but water started spraying EVERYWHERE.  Mae went sprinting out of the bathroom and was terrified.  I was soaked and couldn’t stop laughing.  We'll leave out the part of the story where we started a leak downstairs.  When we took this picture to remember the incident - Mae started to cry as she wanted no part of the Jacuzzi ever again!

The Granddaughters

They all actually did pretty good with these pictures

Then they started to lose it

And once Grandma and Grandpa got in there, the focus was completely gone

This one turned out pretty well though!

Tender moments

This kept Mae happy on the ride home

Staring at herself for 6 1/2 hours didn't make Anna happy

Papa D and Grandma Weez had a GREAT gift waiting for us upon our return!

This closet previously was an absolute disaster to open and close with the two sliding doors that were previously there

As soon as it came in from the car, the Nativity Set instantly came out -  we wished Audrey was here to play with it too!

Chattanooga Vacation Day 1: Drive Faster!

After 30+ years of life, I went on my first winter vacation.  Every other year it has been basketball season so although not a vacation, that was always fun.  Life moves on and I was happy to go on my first one with my girls.  We headed to Chattanooga, TN, although we actually stayed just across the border in Ringgold, GA, at a nice cabin there.  Grandma and Grandpa planned the trip, and we got to spend it with, Jackie, Kylee, Ryan, Amie, Madilyn, and Audrey.  The drive was a little stressful - mainly on Anna.  Well, that's a lie, mainly on Lindsey and me because of Anna.  Mae traveled really well.  Once we got there, things got better. -T

Right before we left, we couldn't find Mae.  After searching the house(and Lindsey went outside), we found her playing Hide and Seek.  She didn't tell the rest of us the game was being played.  We have to admit though, this was her best hiding spot she's ever come up with.

Ready to go!

Happy...for the moment.

Getting stretched out during a stop

We played in the rain

Playing Hide and Seek with Mom in the car

After lots of crying and stress...we made it!  It kind of looks haunted, doesn't it?

Mom and Anna - and did someone say haunted?  Behind them would suggest just that.

Mae in the loft

Mae and Madilyn - kind of missed Maddie though behind the beam

Festival of Lights

Even though I lost my wallet, we had a really good time at the Zoo's Festival of Lights.  The weather was awesome - in the 60's! Mae was thrilled to be back at the zoo and Anna was just thrilled.  Mae still tells stories of the zoo from two months ago, so it was great to go back.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, Lindsey did track down my wallet.  May that person have infinite blessings poured out upon them! -T

Mae telling Anna how excited she is

Okay too much excitement

On the train ride!

Grandparents are the best!

She is not brave, but she is braver than the last time she came and very quickly did feed the goats

Goofy Anna smile

Two happy and very pretty girls

A family picture that's a little better of Anna

A family picture that is a little better of Mae

Age is Cruel

Thanksgiving is always the last day until April that I run.  This year was no different.  But after my final run and running very well for me at 3 miles, I decided to see if I could break a 6 minute mile running just 1 mile.  SURELY, I could!  I mean 13 years ago wasn't THAT long ago when I could run in the 4's!  6 minutes - 1:30 per lap - no problem!  Oh on the contrary.  Even with an outstanding cheering section, I could not pull it off when we went to Loveland's track.  Sad sad times.  My only excuse is that it was REALLY cold and windy.  I ran a 1:15 first lap and that wasn't very bright.  6:10.  BUT, just like old times, I DID puke all over the place afterwards. Maybe next year? -T

It's better to show the cheering section

Happy even though it was FREEZING!

Mae was nice enough to say after this, "Daddy, go go fast."  At least somebody thinks so!

"Ducks...this!"

We found a beautiful spring day in November to head to the park and feed the ducks.  The weather was outstanding and we weren't the only ones taking advantage of the abnormal weather.  So we all know Mae loves animals.  She will usually name the animal and then say "this" as she demonstrates what that animal does.  For example, while playing with the neighbor dogs she noticed one of them going to the bathroom.  So, she gets Mom's attention, and says, "Mommy!  Doggy!  This"  She then proceeds to lift one leg up to the side as a relieving dog would.  She picks things up very fast.  She was excited to go to the park to see the ducks because she always says, "Ducks!  This!"  She then buries her head into the water (carpet).  It's all very entertaining.  She of course was very entertained while feeding the ducks on this wonderful November day. -T

Feeding and enjoying

My Girls!

She just loved this

Feeding the ducks

"I'm about to crack a big smile...get ready!"

"I love nice weather!!!"

The Lion and the Ballerina

Halloween gave us a very convincing lion (Mae) and a ballerina who was still pretty upset over the shots she received earlier in the day (Anna).  In fact, it ended up being so cold that Anna got dressed up in a blanket costume.  Mae did break some records.  A year ago, she hit a total of 4 houses in about 45 minutes.  This year she hit houses on 4 different streets in an hour.  It was rainy, windy, and very cold, but she made it down the street, down to the next block, back down on that street, and then down our street.  She probably would have done more but we, the parents, were too cold! -T

She can't wait to be king

Getting the hang of things

She's easily spooked - this is as close as she got to this house

Keeping an eye on it

Battling the elements

THERE'S our little ballerina! (Although with how much she cried during the day after her shots, she never made a sound the hour we were out trick or treating - maybe her cry muscles were frozen?

Successful night!

Mom stealing Mae's candy?

Oh, maybe Mom is just helping her get a piece

I don't really know

The girls

Oh and Mae always informs us when she sees an "X" - this one being the screws in the doorway