Vacation - Chattanooga!

We decided to take a weekend trip up to Chattanooga and we had a blast! Yaya is here and we want to show her around and as much as we can! I took Friday off and we headed up early Friday morning. We stayed 2 nights downtown at the Marriott and it was fabulous. A great hotel, comfortable, quiet and all he amenities one would need/want! Our first stop was Swanee college and it is beautiful. Scott looked at going there after he graduated high school, so it was awesome to have him show me around and listen to his stories! We stopped at the book store and of course he had to get a t-shirt! He wouldn't be Scott if he didn't. Charlie got a new book and Addison got a little bear. We also got a pin for father Robert because that is where he went to school. He is our priest back in California and baptized both of  the girls. We thought it would be nice to send him something.

Next we went to Ruby Falls and it was incredible. We took a long hike deep down into a cave. The cave was beautiful. I had never seen anything like it before. We all loved it. The girls were fantastic! Charlie walked the whole way and Scott and I took turns holding Addison. She wasn't fussy at all and she got a kick out of all the light changes, water, and the texture on the rocks that we were surrounded by. Charlie was such a big girl for walking and was amazed by the whole experiment. She had a blast. By the time we got to the waterfall, we were blown away. The experience literally took my breath away. We thought it was so cool. It was loud and cool of course, but it is definitely one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. They have a walk way around the water fall so you can even walk behind it and look up. We got some pictures, but it truly doesn't do this natural site justice.

Ruby falls

Caves

Charlie the duck

Face Painting

And we will never know why she picked dots, but she did!

Tea party with Alice

We went to a really cool children's festival at Rogue University in Memphis. What an amazing campus is that! Oh it is just beautiful. The Children's festival was so much fun. Charlie and Addison had the opportunity to paint, and make many crafts! We all had a great time! Plus, there are NO Cicada's in Memphis! Haha!

More Cicadas

The Cicada Invasion!

The moment I had been dreading since the  first time I heard the word Cicada... and I actually thought it was a made up evil joke to play on a Californian! These bugs are so disgusting and alarming. Ok, so yes they don't hurt you or bite you, however they will fly right into you and they have no problem landing on you. They are attracted to sound and will just flock to you. I guess they come every nine years! Just my luck they are here for my first year! Just like how last summer, was the hottest TN has had! The winter was the coldest TN has ever had! Now the Cicada's? Ha! If that isn't a sign for me to RUN back West, I don't know what is! These bugs make a loud sound and have really big red eyes! They only live for a few days and are here to mate and will burrow their eggs deep in the ground to hatch in another 9 years! Those orange/reddish/brown things are the Cicadas! They are even worse in Nashville! I was driving through Green HIlls just the other day, which is an older part of Nashville and it was like a sci-fi movie... the bugs flying all over, was like little ships just launching across the sky! I can not wait for them to leave. I think they will be here for 6 weeks!

Her certificate of completion!

Last day of school

Charlie Mae's last day of school. My heart is fully of excitement and I was so glad that I remembered to take a photograph. I was so nervous for her because she had her program coming up. It was so funny because she woke up super early so I know she is going to get tired. She just did a quick rendition of some of her songs before we left the house and she was already excited since her Mommy took her to school instead of her Daddy, who usually does. I can't believe how fast the school year has gone by. I am so happy that we decided to enroll her. I remember the first time I went to the school to inquire about the program. I had NO idea what to expect. In fact, I only went because one of the girls from here that I had "known on facebook" LOL! I went and introduced myself to her right after I moved here because I wanted to make friends and I wanted Charlie to make friends. Well she asked me what school I was putting Charlie in and I had no idea she was even going to go to school at this age! Haha! Well I went to school and sat down with the priciple and she was amazing. She made me feel so comfortable and so welcoming to Charlie Mae and had such a calmess and patience about her. She just truly showed her passion for education, children and fell in love with Charlie and Addison so fast! Looking back on this past school year, I am so lucky I went in there that day and spoke to her. She really made a positive impact on my little one.

Get ready set go!

Addison The Queen

Little Miss Independent has decided at a very young age she is going to rule the world!

Charlie singing her heart out!

Her little program was so special and fun to watch. Scott recorded the entire show! Addison was really well behaved too and just had a blast watching her sister on stage. They have music day once a week and they sang every song they have learned all year long. Even all of their seasonal songs! It was too cute! Charlie did really well and kept up with everyone. We just had a blast watching her.

Addison cheering for her sister

FUN RUN

I am on the Sports Council with the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce and one of the events we have is a 5K/10K memorial run. This was the first time that we had it and it was very successful. I am proud that I was able to be a part of it. We were able to raise over $20,000 and everyone had a great time. Part of the event was a fun run for children and of course Charlie Mae had to participate. I was so proud that she did and I thought it was great she wanted to support her Mommy! I had spent so much time and dedicated so much energy to making "Go Johnny Go" a Johnny Keel Memorial run successful and I'm still putting in an effort to raise money for the Johnny Keel Wellness Foundation.
Charlie Mae had an awesome time. She loved meeting the girls at Sports Village and was happy that she was able to be a part of it. She came in second to last place and actually ran right out of her shoes and tripped the girls behind her. She stopped running, sat down, put her shoes back on and jumped right up and kept on running. I couldn't have been more proud! She was smiling the whole time!