Heading to the Homeland

We loaded up the truck and headed to TN.  Paris, TN that is!  It was a short 142 hour trip!  Okay, maybe that was the "feel like" time.  I do not recommend traveling over 3 hours with a 12 month old.  There are many many things that are lots and lots of fun with a 12 month old.  Traveling in a vehicle is not one!  Sorry Coopie, but we still love you!

Once we arrived in the great state of TN we visited with family and friends and had a great time!  We celebrated Cooper Gray's first birthday at Nannie and Lee's.

Nannie with the birthday boy!

Nannie, Mommy, and Cooper Gray before the party!

The birthday cake made by Mommy with love!

Let the party begin!

Thanks Fazzini family for the too cute TN hat!

Cooper Gray and his first birthday cake!

Mary Grace, Avery Grace, Max, Amy, Seaver, and Cooper Gray!  What a crew!

Andrew, Ashton, Seaver, and Cooper Gray

Seaver and his Joe Joe!

Ashton taking care of Cooper Gray.  Such a good babysitter! 

Seaver and Uncle Chris playing around!

Joe Joe playing with Seaver and Cooper Gray

We stayed, we played, and then it was time to head back to South Carolina.  Did I mention the drive?  Yes, we had to do it again, in reverse.  Yahoo!!  We decided that it was in everyones best interest to spend the night in Chattanooga, half way.  Seaver was super duper excited because we made a promise to stay at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and sleep in a train car and visit the aquarium!

Me:  "Seaver, the sting rays will not hurt you.  Just reach in and rub the the top of them real soft.  Like this."

Martin:  "Yeah, that is what they told the Crocodile Hunter"

Seaver: "Who is the Crocodile Hunter?"

Me: "Oh, he is not with us anymore.  Let's not worry about him.  Oh look over here, butterflies!"

Help me!! 

Daddy and Cooper Gray hanging with the penguins! 

Is that Mr. Crabs?  Where is Spongebob?

Is that Nemo?

Yeap, our future is so bright we gotta wear shades.  Okay, we are at the IMAX theatre...  but we still look cool!

After a few hours at the aquarium, we headed over to the Chattanooga Choo Choo.  This is every little boys dream!  To sleep in a real train car!  Not Mommy's dream...  but, I took one for the team!   Choo choo!

Our train car!

Have we left the station?

Inside our cool train car!

Aahh, the beautiful Smokey Mountains!

We finally made it back to SC after a night in Chattanooga.  We enjoyed visiting the homeland!  TN is always in our hearts, no matter where we lay our heads!