Visiting the Treehouses at Cheekwood

This was supposed to be like Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond-it was built up and had a swing underneath and a small loft inside.

The Jolly Roger-like the boat from Peter Pan

This was supposed to be a treehouse for a hobbit.  It had an area you could walk through underneath and a big slide kids could go down.

Definitely one of our favorites-the Rainbow Fish.  Sophie and I are making our fish faces.  I loved that book and the treehouse!

The girls inside the rainbow fish treehouse. 

This was a "notions" treehouse out over the water.

We went back to the Thoreau treehouse so the girls could swing.

 

Weird expressions I know but sometimes this is what our kids give us when we try to take their picture.

One of the things that we wanted to do this summer was visit Cheekwood so that we could see their treehouse exhibit.  We finally made it a couple of weeks ago.  Summer can be such a busy time of year!  There were 7 different treehouses and most of them went along with the theme from a book.  They were really cool to see and a lot of fun for the girls to check out.  On the night we were there, the Nashville Ballet was also there performing some of Aesop's Fables for their family night.  It was held inside and was somewhat packed but the girls enjoyed watching them perform. 

4th of July

Katie with her 3 babysitters in the bounce castle (Abbie, Kate and Sophie)

our girls at Nana and Paw-paw's house

Sam and Eli Hyberger, Will Lassiter, Sophie and Abbie, Jonathan Brown, Katie Byars, Christine,Will and Clay Kelley

 in front of play house at the Gray's house

 

 

fireworks at Crockett Park

 Overall, we had a great 4th of July this year.  That morning, we went over to my parents for breakfast.  Unfortunately, I had a bad cold that week so I didn't feel the greatest but we had an OK day.  That afternoon I mostly lost my voice.  Then, that night we went to a cookout at our friends, the Gray's.  Many from our Sunday school class came.  The kids had a great time playing and then we walked over to the park and watched fireworks.  The Grays' have such a wonderful play house that Carley and Jessie enjoy.  It was a very late night for us!  When we went to the Gray's, I couldn't really talk at all so I just whispered (which I hate having to do).  We enjoyed seeing everybody though!  It was the first time that we had ever stayed and walked over to see the fireworks at Crockett Park.  (Last year, we left and watched them from Ravenwood High School). 

Busch Gardens (our trip to Virginia cont.)



Sophie and Daddy before riding Verbolten

Sophie, Abbie and Mama

Abbie loved the swings and the bumper cars!

Sophie with Hansel, Gretel and the witch after their performance.

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A pretty cool shot that Matt got of the foal in mid-air.

Sophie and Paw-paw Tom

Uh-oh!  What has Sophie done?

 We had such a busy week while we were visiting family in Virginia.  Some of us headed to Busch Gardens Sunday evening while Mimi stayed back with the kids.  There is so much to do at Busch Gardens!  On Monday, all of us headed to Busch Gardens.  Matt and I had ridden the new roller coaster, Verbolten.  Although Sophie was tall enough, I really didn't think she'd want to ride it.  There's no upside down parts or anything but a lot of it was inside where it was totally dark and it is pretty fast.  Anyway, when Matt and I were going to ride it for a second time, Sophie somehow decided to ride it.  I tried to tell her about it because I wanted to be honest.  After, we got off the ride though she got kind of upset because I think it was pretty scary for her!  I felt bad for her because I didn't want her to do something that was too scary for her.

We had a great time at Busch Gardens!  The weather was a little strange and it started sprinkling at times.  We were able to see a couple of shows.  I think we probably could have spent another day at Busch Gardens but we didn't.  The girls also rode in go-carts while we were there and we did several other things.  I'll try to post more pictures soon.