t-e-n-n-e-s-s-e-e

The kids and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Tennessee. We had the best time with Jeff, Ami, Kiran, and Ellery and loved seeing the beauty of their state. Here are lots of pictures from our trip-I had a hard time scaling back can you tell?















On our way to the airport from long term parking. Yes I flew alone with the kids, but I did have help all the way up to entering security on both flights.



The welcoming committee!















The sweet view from Jeff and Ami's front porch. That huge area is a common grassy area for everyone on their street to share!




















Addie climbed up so high in this tree! crazy girl



Halloween fun with my butterfly and giraffe

















Scooby and the gang.....Ellery as Daphne, Ami as Velma, Kiran as Fred, Jeff as Shaggy, and a cameo appearance by Babar the dog as Scooby





Ami and Ellery making Halloween cookies


I think Doak ate more dough than he provided help!



checking out the animals at a local museum



We went to a gymnastics center for open gym one morning and all the kids LOVED it! Kiran going for a big jump into the foam pit!



Addie was fearless!



Doak hanging on!



Isn't Ellery the most beautiful girl?



Cookie got all the kids matching shirts, aren't they precious?




















My kids were fascinated with Rocky the cat. He only comes around for food and anytime he came in to eat Addie and Doak laid down beside him to watch him eat and pet him!















Kiran gave me some good smiles! Such a sweet, fun boy!















Watching some sheep with Uncle Jeffy.















The big kids enjoying some time outside on bikes and scooters.



We took a trip to Knoxville and went to the zoo. It was such a nice zoo with beautiful trees and great animals! There was an old truck that the kids could climb on. I bet we stayed there for 15 minutes!



Watching the giraffes, kudu, and antelope come out from their indoor cages.

















The zoo has a great indoor play area, similar to the Children's museum here in Dallas. All the cousins worked together to fix this jeep!



































back to the truck again (these are out of order!)



















sweet Ami our generous hostess with Kiran (4) and Ellery (2) and baby girl (due in February!)



me and the kiddos (Addie didn't seem to want to cooperate for pictures this week!)



After the zoo we drove over to the town where Jeff works and he took us to his favorite ice cream shop. I let my kids go to town on their own cones which I never let them do! They had so much fun and got really, really messy!



















Back to the airport to head back to Texas.





A few more things I don't want to forget:
-walking around J & A's beautiful town and watching the kids collect leaves and pinecones
-girls night in with delicious homemade chai tea and dessert from Jeff
-hearing the kids feet running upstairs and knowing that they were having the best time with their cousins
-great late night conversations with Jeff and Ami over ice cream and animal crackers
-realizing that I have two wonderful kids who were the perfect travellers
-knowing that Keri selflessly wanted us to go enjoy this trip while he stayed behind and knowing that he really missed us!
-the generousity of family that helped us buy tickets, drove us to the airport, picked us up from the airport, sent things to entertain the kids on the plane, gave us travelling tips
-the generousity of Jeff and Ami who welcomed us into their home, provided yummy meals, warm baths, and lots of love
-knowing that we are blessed to have family we love to call friends <3

What a wonderful trip! We will keep these memories at the front of our minds until we meet again!