Random Summer Pics

Abbie likes to help in the kitchen.

Abbie's brushing the goat

Sophie with the big fish she made in their art camp (Abbie's in back with hers).

Sophie modeling her Barbie sunglasses

We've been staying fairly busy this summer with swim lessons, trips to the pool in general, VBS, some play dates, art camp, etc. The girls went to an art camp about 2 weeks ago at the Rec Center. It was just for two mornings but it gave me a little break and they made all kinds of stuff. For those who know Sophie, she is "Miss Arts and Crafts". She just loves doing that kind of thing! Aunt Martha also came up for a visit that week. Other than the pool, we haven't been doing too much stuff outdoors except for the few days where it cools off a little bit.

Summer Days at the Park

                                              the girls at Crockett Park
I took a picture of them with Aunt Leia and Heather but it didn't turn out that well.

Last week, Aunt Leia and her friend, Heather, stayed with us during the CMA fest.  Most of the time, they were on a different schedule from us having late concerts, etc.  However, they had a wonderful time.  Each morning, Aunt Leia could count on her nieces to come in and wake her up about 9 A.M.   On Monday, after the CMA fest was over, we were able to spend some time with them and go to the park.  The heat finally let up for a little bit and we had a great time playing at Crockett Park and having a picnic lunch.  They stayed with us for about a week but they were very easy guests to have. 

Then, on Wednesday (still during VBS week), we decided to head down to Centennial Park with Nana and feed the ducks (actually mostly geese, a few ducks and some pigeons).  We got a slow start that morning because VBS kind of wore us all out but we fed the geese and then headed over to the playground to play.  The girls had only played for a few minutes when a few sprinkles turned into a big shower and we had to leave.  We decided to go eat lunch and then see if we could go back to the park.  After lunch, we could tell another storm was on its way so we headed back to Nana's. 

VBS 2011

me, Emerson, & Sophie on our last night of VBS

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in so long. I had misplaced our camera for a few days and we found it at church last night. Our girls had a wonderful time at VBS this year. It was at night so it was kind of exhausting for everyone. Matt and I were "family leaders" basically group leaders for a group of different aged kids. Sophie and her friend, Emerson, were part of our group. Each night, we met in the auditorium first and then ventured to different booths in a marketplace setting set up to be like Nazareth, saw a skit there, visited Mary's House where we saw a skit, and had games, group time where we recapped our lesson and had a snack, and then met up again in the auditorium. It's fun to see everyone get really into it. All of the adults working with the older kids (which included us) were supposed to dress up in costume like people in Bible times. Abbie was in a group with kids her age but they had a different schedule and rotation from the older kids.

Dollywood

Abbie enjoys the Tea cup ride at Dollywood



Abbie, age 22 months, enjoys her first tea cup ride at Disney World in Oct. 2009.



Abbie and Sophie ready to ride with their Daddy.

having fun on the ride

Aunt Leia, Daddy, Abbie & Sophie got soaked on this ride!

After we left the Wilderness Lodge, we checked into a nearby hotel for the next 2 nights. Then, we headed to Dollywood for the evening. The girls had a blast in the kiddie area riding the carousel, the ride pictured above (Star Shooter or something), the teacups, and a few other rides. If you paid for admission after 3 PM one day, the next day was free. We went back on Sunday and had a fun time though it was pretty hot and crowded. There were a few rides that Abbie wanted to ride repeatedly. The mini-drop tower ride shown above that took you straight up and down kind of bounced you as you came down. I rode it a couple of times but each time after I rode it with her, I said someone else is going to have to ride with you the next time. I didn't get sick or anything but my stomach would drop every time. Sophie and I enjoyed riding the swings together. Some of the rides and shows brought back good memories of Opryland for me where I spent a lot of fun times growing up! Abbie was sad that she wasn't able to ride a few of the rides. Sophie rode one bigger indoor roller coaster with me, her Daddy and Aunt Leia. During the ride she said, "My eyes are wide open but I can't see anything" (it was pitch black for part of the ride). After being told that she wasn't tall enough to ride the Scrambler, Abbie said, "I am big because Jesus made me big!" So sweet!

Putt-Putt Golf

Abbie and Sophie with Mimi

Abbie's ready to play golf (ha!)

On Friday night, after a pretty full day, we decided to play putt-putt after dinner. Abbie and I did take a long nap that afternoon to make up for lost sleep the night before. It was Abbie's first time to try miniature golf and they had a place right there at the lodge. Mimi went with us which was good because young kids keep you hopping when you are trying to play miniature golf. Abbie was just messing around and about mid way through she had to leave to go to the bathroom. Sophie would not accept any help with her technique which was a little frustrating (not that we are pros or anything) but I wanted to help her out a bit.

On Saturday morning before the pools opened, they had a duck race outdoors at the lazy river that we participated in. The kids really got into it. If we had come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, we would have earned a prize but our ducks didn't place that high. It was a really fun idea though! Overall, we really enjoyed staying at the Wilderness Lodge. Next stop, Dollywood!

The Wilderness Lodge

                                            Abbie and Matt in the wave pool (Sophie and Aunt Leia are in the background).

                                         Paw-paw Tom, Sophie and Matt after riding one of the slides

                                            Abbie and Sophie in the loft-neither one of them ended up sleeping up there.  I was willing to let Sophie give it a try but not Abbie.  She's too young!

                                               Abbie on the teeter totter

 Sophie on the teeter totter

On Friday afternoon and Saturday we had a wonderful time at the Wilderness Lodge.  Matt's parents and his sister, Leia, arrived a little while after we did on Friday afternoon.  We had reserved a suite that would sleep up to 10 people.  It was great!  There were two separate adjoining rooms.  One of the rooms had a nice kitchen, living room/bedroom area and bath and the other one had a bedroom and bathroom.  The girls were so excited about the loft.  Abbie kept trying to sneak up there without any help and that was a little scary.  Sophie thought she might want to sleep up there but when the time came, she didn't want to anymore.  I should have taken more pictures at the water park but we were too busy having fun and trying to keep up with everybody.  The indoor area had a wave pool which both girls loved, a kiddie area with swings, a small slide, and the teeter totter, etc, another big kiddie area with spray play areas, fountains, and smaller slides, and then several big slides that were so much fun!  They also have a big hot tub area and a couple of outdoor pool areas.  The outdoor pool area had a lazy river.