road trippin' to Tennessee

Monday May 17th, Dad, Addie, Doak, and I got up early for a big roadtrip....to Tennessee! The kids did really well in the car-playing with new toys, reading books, watching a DVD or two. We made pretty frequent stops so we could get out and stretch and so that the prego and the potty training toddler could make a "pit stop".


The kids really looked forward to spending the night at a hotel after a long day of driving. They were especially excited about swimming!


Both kids loved the water! Addie practiced all the swimming skills she learned in last year's swim lessons and Doak was so happy to float in the water with his floaties on.

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Tuesday morning we got breakfast and hit the road again, this time our destination was Jeff and Ami's house. We arrived late afternoon and it was such a joyful reunion!





Tuesday night happened to be Kiran's big preschool graduation. We couldn't wait to see where he and Ellery went to school and celebrate with him!






Kiran in his cap and gown


Livvy and Ami-pretty girls!


Papa and Doak sat together during the graduation and watched Kiran's class sing and recite their memory verses.


There was a reception afterward and Addie and Ellery made a bee line for the drink table. They both chose Sunkist orange soda-which was a huge treat for these too!


I got in some good snuggle time with Olivia


Sweet Kiran was so proud of his trophy





After graduation we got the kids ready for bed and Papa read to them from a Junie B Jones book. I think Papa enjoyed them more than the kids!

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Wednesday morning we spent the day playing outside Jeff and Ami's house and exploring the land nearby.

snack time!


The kids loved exploring behind the house.....I think they were looking for butterflies at this point.


Doak and Papa checked out the 'secret passageway' aka nature trail behind Jeff and Ami's house




The kids worked for hours collecting sticks, leaves, and rocks to build their own city.


The kids watched a few Scooby Do episodes during the week and I caught them all snuggled up under Ellery's quilt one afternoon-so sweet!


Doak after bath-he loved the dinosaur towel he got to use!


We talked to Keri on skype and told him all about the day's adventures.

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Thursday we went to the Zoo!

Cookie bought the kids matching shirts-aren't they cuties?


We looked at penguins


went through through the butterfly garden


had a picnic lunch under the shade of some beautiful Tennessee trees


Doak couldn't wait to see his favorite animal-a bhinoceros (aka rhinoceros)


The zoo had a great play area complete with HUGE sandbox. All the cousins worked together to make a sandcastle city.


Little Olivia is such a good baby! She enjoyed the zoo from the comfort of the baby bjorn and our arms.

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Friday we played around the house again, went to the Bounce House, and Ami and I got to go get pedicures-thanks Dad!

I loved spending time with my sweet sister in law Ami. I wished she lived closer!


Love these kiddos!


Doak absolutely loved Livvy-I can't wait to see him hold his new baby brother or sister!


Doak loved all of Kiran's superhero dress ups. Kiran even let him bring home the Superman costume and Doak has worn it daily since we got home!


Friday night we picnicked out in front of the house and ended the evening with ice cream cones.

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Saturday we had a little photo shoot before we took off on the trip home. Aren't these the sweetest pictures?





What a wonderful trip! It was such a great time to visit with Jeff, Ami, Kiran, and Ellery. Plus we finally got to meet little Olivia! The kids and I loved spending time with Papa too-he made the trip so fun. Can't wait to make this trip again-and see all six kids together next year!