Our Tennessee Trip

Last weekend we took a trip to Tennessee to visit our family. We had not been to visit in quite some time, so we were really excited for our trip. Evan was especially excited to Marlee, who was not there the last time we visited. Preston was only a baby the last time we saw Marlee and he kept telling us how excited he was and that he was going on a trip to "see my new friend." It was so cute!

The boys did VERY well travelling to Tennessee. They are usually pretty good when we travel, but they were exceptionally good travelers this time. We made it in to Aloca a bit late, as there was lots of rain, fog and traffic. We were able to stop by Aunt Karol's house to see everyone and play for a bit, before heading to our hotel.

On Saturday morning, we all went to a trampoline park! It was our first time going and we had a great time! Evan was doing flips and Preston enjoyed swinging on the trapeze bar and then falling into the foam pit! 

Later, the weather was nicer and we all went to the zoo. The Knoxville Zoo is really nice and we had fun seeing new animals, like the red pandas. They boys even got to ride a camel!

We had a nice pizza dinner with everyone before heading back to the hotel, where the boys promptly fell asleep! 

We got in a quick visit with Karol and Marlee on Sunday morning, before they had to leave for church. We had planned on going up to the mountains, but since the boys were tired and no one could join us, we went ahead and went home. We were back by mid afternoon, so we were able to squeeze in a bit more fun by fishing and watching a new movie, Aladdin. 

Ready for the zoo!

Froggy fun!

The boys had lots of fun on the camel ride!

It was so much fun to hang out with Jamie again! We took our picture on the lion, since the boys were not interested!

Jamie got to feed the giraffe! The boys wanted to feed the giraffe too, but he was no longer hungry.

The zoo had chimpanzees and Preston thought they were really interesting.

As with our zoo, Preston loved the goats! He really liked getting to brush them and showing them and playing with the goats and the their toys.

The zoo hosts hosts Boo at the Zoo, so the boys had fun on the cool pirate scenery. Ahoy, matey!

Despite not getting a nap and staying up late, Preston was in a REALLY good mood!

The boys fell asleep within seconds of laying down in their beds!

Preston had so much fun, that he was able to sleep the whole way home!

We went fishing and enjoyed the newly fixed trail when we got home.  I think Evan caught the smallest fish ever!

Fall Break!

I have never really had a fall break before, because the "fall break" for students does not really include teachers. Teachers get a 3 day weekend, but then head back to school on Monday for PD and then have conferences on Tuesday. This year though, I am not working and since the boys have 5 days off of school for fall break, we definitely took advantage of their time off! Carl took two days off of work too, so we had 4 nice days together as a family! It was fantastic!

On Friday, we went out to Gallrein Farm for pumpkin picking! Since it was a weekday, they did not have all of the fall festivities up and running, but there was plenty to do. There were barely any other people there, so we got to avoid the crowds, which was really nice! We had a great time picking pumpkins and gourds, as well as petting the horses and playing on the hay pyramid and the big tunnel. We could have done more, but since it was stating to rain, we headed off to get lunch and to take a family nap. Later, we had a dance party and decorated for Halloween!

Both boys liked this tractor. Of course Preston jumped off before I could take his picture!

"This is a BIG pumpkin!"

A wheelbarrow makes riding to the pumpkin patch lots of fun!

Preston loved running through the pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin. This was his final choice!

Evan found a great pumpkin, but he also found some really cool gourds!

Evan sure has a way with animals. These horses were nowhere near the fence, but he went over to the fence and coaxed them over! Both boys enjoyed petting the horses and Preston even hugged his horse when it was time to leave!

The large hay pyramid was lots of fun!

The pumpkins and gourds look great on the front porch!

Saturday was a pretty laid back day. Evan went to his dive clinic and to a birthday party, but the weather was pretty cold and rainy, so we mostly just stayed at home and played and watched movies.

On Sunday, Carl and I headed out to the Saint James Art Festival. We had lots of fun looking at the art, as well as eating, drinking, and enjoying our time together. We purchased a few things for the house, as well as a Christmas present for Bonnie Mom!

On Monday, we went to the zoo. We had not been in a long time, so the boys were really excited to go. Bonnie Mom and Grandpa went with us and we had a really great time. Both boys were in super good moods and we were able to stay and do activities for 4 hours! We got to see all of the animals, as well as ride the train, which was definitely Preston's favorite part.

The boys loved the orangutan and the orangutan seemed to really enjoy the boys too!

Evan was really happy to see the alligator snapping turtle, as is has become one of his favorite animals.

These two are just too sweet! Here they are looking for turtles in the pond at the zoo.

We fed the lorikeets, which we have not done in a VERY long time. We had a blast!

Preston loves the goats. He was very excited when we finally reached the petting zoo!

All aboard! It's time for the train!

Tuessday was conference day, so I spent a lot of my morning at school for Evan's conferences and helping with PTA activities, while the boys spent time with Grammy. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking a needed nap and playing outside. It was a great way to end a wonderful fall break!

Living Life!

As I have done before, I sat down to work on writing a blog update, and realized that I have not written anything for over a month! It's not that we haven't done anything fun or worthy of writing about, because we have! It's just that we have been too busy living life, for me to remember to write. This post is going to be a quick version of what our family has been up to for the past few weeks.

We have spent lots of time fishing and hiking, as Evan REALLY enjoys these activities. Preston has fun too, although he can't catch anything yet and just likes to play in the creek, throw rocks, etc. We have also spent quite a bit of time going on walks, playing at the playground, having family movie night, cheering for the U of L football team, etc. Evan has also learned to catch and throw a football and Preston has learned that he no longer needs his paci! Carl and I have had a few date nights and some time out with friends, which has been really nice. 

Here are a few pictures to illustrate our life for the past several weeks!

We went on the Urban Bourbon Trail with Devin and Eric! It was lots of fun, but we did miss Carol!

The Congleton family came to visit! We spent our day with the boys and of course, Evan chose to take everyone fishing! At night, John, Terri, Carl and I attended Brew at the Zoo. As always, we had a great time!

We had our annual Alpha Gam Couples' Weekend and we attended Downs After Dark. It was a pretty short visit, but we all had a great time!

Carl and I have been able to have a few date nights, which has been so nice! We definitely need to continue this, as we always have a great time!

Evan has FINALLY learned to blow bubbles! He is super excited, because he has wanted to be able to blow bubbles for so long and he worked so hard to be able to do it!

We have done LOTS of fishing! Carl and Evan usually get to fish, while Preston and I play around the creek. His newest game is, "Where's Preston!"

Can you find Preston? =)

The boys have had lots of fun catching toads. Preston loves them so much and often talks to them and hugs them! 

We have gone on lots of hikes! Evan likes to go the creek and catch minnows and crayfish! Preston likes to see everything that Evan catches, as well as throw rocks and play in the creek.

We have had fun cheering for the U of L football team, although they are not having a really great season and started the season with 3 losses. We do have some wins now though!

We have enjoyed going to the playground. On a recent visit, Evan caught a tiny frog!

We have enjoyed a few movie nights together, which is always a nice way to spend a weekend night.

Now that I am staying at home, Preston and I have some one on one time on the mornings when he does not go to preschool. We have lots of fun playing together, exploring, etc.

Special Delivery!

Preston really enjoys going to the playground, so we have visited several different ones.

My little engineer likes to build towers. Of course, he also likes to knock them down!

It's fun to explore the outdoors with Preston. He likes to climb the tree in our front yard, find cicada shells, etc.