Vanderbilt University

We also took a Sunday walk around Whitney's school, Vanderbilt University. 

The campus was beautiful and green, with blooming magnolia trees.

Daytrip to Atlanta

Last weekend while I was in Nashville visiting my oldest daughter we decided to jump in the car and drive to Atlanta. Since it is only a 3.5 hour scenic drive from Nashville we figured "why not?"  Not to mention Ikea!!   We planned our day trip to enjoy the drive, try a new restaraunt, cinnamon roll and shopping at IKEA, and a little bit of sightseeing around the city.  We left the house at 8 am and were home by 9 pm and enjoyed every moment of the day!

1. Enjoy the drive (Picture taken at a rest stop near Chattanooga, Tennessee)

2. Try a new restaurant (JCT Kitchen in Atlanta, GA)

3. IKEA - Sorry no picture but just think Blue and Yellow

4. Atlanta sightseeing (Centennial Olympic Park)

The Hermitage "Home and Plantation of Andrew Jackson"

(The outside of the mansion was under renovation)

I have found myself unexpectedly back in Nashville and decided a little bit of sight seeing should be included.  Today Whitney and I found a coupon for a buy one get one admission free to "The Hermitage" - The home and plantation of our seventh president Andrew Jackson. (Thanks Grandma Irene for the Entertainment Book)

The mansion on the property included many of the original fixtures, furniture and belongings of the Jackson family.  I thought the original wall paper was the best!  Unfortunately, no photography is allowed in the home so I can't share with you.  Just come visit Whitney and she will take you over to check it out for yourself.

The plantation was huge, it must have taken us two hours just to walk through the property. There were different cabins and houses spread across the plantation and so much beautiful scenery.  1,120 acres of huge trees, beautiful flowers, cotton fields, horses, donkeys, cattle, birds, a gentle breeze and sunshine all contributed to the feeling of being immersed in nature and life on a plantation in the 1800's.  Learning the history and impact of Andrew Jackson and the Plantation through a short film, audio tour and tour guides made the visit even more interesting.  What a nice Sunday afternoon!

JW Marriott at Desert Ridge

During our visit to Arizona we spent a couple of days at this beautiful resort in Phoenix.  

We spent one day at the pool with both my daughters, my adorable grandson, my sister and all three of her children.  

We had so much fun watching Owyn kicking and splashing in the water as if he was ready to take off on his own.  The weather treated us well this day with temperatures only in the 80's!  I wish more family could have made it out to spend time at the pool with us.  

Arizona Road Trip

Scott and I decided to road trip to Arizona after I Finally finished my Master's degree earlier this month to see all of our wonderful family.  We traveled 809 miles from our front door to Chelsea's on a beautiful day. 

On the I25 south to the New Mexico border

Below: New Mexico to the Arizona border via I25 South and I40 West

 Some Parts of New Mexico are LONG and BORING!

Below: Arizona back roads to Tempe (I40, AZ-377, AZ-277, AZ-260, AZ-89)

Nashville Fun! Part 3

Sunday was my last day in Nashville with the kids :(  Whitney cooked me up a french toast breakfast before we headed out to the Grand Ole Opry! We walked around the outside taking pictures but decided not to pay to take a tour of the inside (yes we are that cheap).  Fortunately Opry Mills Mall was right next door with a Bass Pro Shop for me to check out (since I have never been to one before).  I bought a new hat for hiking!

For my last night in Nashville, Whitney felt like having Mexican food and she took me to a restaurant not to far from her called the Rosepepper Cantina.  I was pleasantly surprised by the authentic atmosphere and food so far from the border.

Soon it was off to bed as I had a super an early morning flight to catch.  It was so hard saying goodbye to Josh, Whitney and adorable Lola!  Thanks for a great weekend!!

Nashville Fun! Part 2

Saturday Josh, Whitney and I started out with brunch at the nationally acclaimed Loveless Cafe where celebrities are known to frequent.  We enjoyed fresh warm biscuits with tasty jams in blueberry, peach and strawberry. Yum!  I had the country ham with red eye gravy and hash brown casserole while Josh and Whitney shared a feast including fried chicken, catfish and more.  The food and atmosphere were well worth the one our wait to be seated.  The drive to and from the cafe was beautiful as spring was beginning to blossom in many trees and bushes including the pretty Dogwood trees shown in the lower left corner.

After brunch we drove back to downtown Nashville where we walked over the Cumberland river on the pedestrian bridge and goofed around taking pictures from the bridge.

Later that day Josh had to work again, so Whitney and I headed out shopping and she bought a couple of patio chairs we just could not fit anywhere else but the front passenger seat.  As I rode in the back seat, I could not keep myself from laughing and taking a picture of this awkward drive home.

Nashville Fun! Part 1

Wednesday night I got into Nashville late and felt bad Josh and Whitney had to be out so late when they both had to work the next morning. Sorry guys! It is just so much cheaper!!

Thursday morning I got up early on a rainy day with Whitney and she dropped me off at Panera Bread while she worked and then brought me to school with her at Vanderbilt later that day.  I brought my computer and surfed the net in the commons while she was in class.  After class we went home to a nice roast in the crock pot.

Friday I was fortunate enough to get to be with Josh and Whitney at their first Midwife appointment where we heard their baby's heart beat for the first time.  Both of their eyes swelled up in tears as they realized there really is a baby growing in Whitney's little belly.  After the appointment we grabbed a bagel and coffee at Star Bagel and the kids showed me the town.  We headed out to German Town where we had to stop in at The Cupcake Collection to pick up a few cupcakes of coarse.

After Josh headed out to work, Whitney and I continued the day sightseeing in historic Franklin and enjoying a yummy Hawaiian pizza at The Mellow Mushroom.