From Iraq to Tennessee - Day 1

My cousin, Jake, just got back from Iraq. Since his mom and dad (my Aunt Janet and Uncle Bart) were in Florida to visit him and his family, they decided to drive up to stay the weekend with us in Tennessee. So Janet, Bart, Jake, his wife Lauren, and their two daughters Addie (age 5) & Ella (age 2) all piled into their SUV and drove the length of Alabama on Friday.

First thing this morning, before we even had breakfast, Addie and Ella took a dip in the hot tub. Their bathing suits had been left in Florida by accident, but that didn't stop them! After we goofed around for most of the morning, we headed out to Pinkerton Park to play on the Tinkerbell Playground.

Ella came down the slide like greased lightning.



Charlie had fun standing and watching the girls play.



Much to Corey's delight, there was a local British car club having a show at the park. We headed over to take a look.



Addie and Ella wanted this car.



Corey was thrilled to show Charlie an old Triumph (almost like the one he used to own).



After the park, we lunched at Mellow Mushroom in downtown Franklin. Addie loves playing hand games with her Grandma Janet and BeePaw (Grandpa Bart).



Charlie Jo, in her new Vandy onesie, watched with interest.



And then she chewed on Corey's nose.



Ella was confused about why Charlie would do such a thing.



Next we went to downtown Nashville and checked out the honky tonk scene. We met Elvis, but he tried to throttle Janet.



It was beautiful down by the Cumberland River.



Addie made a new friend at the Wildhorse Saloon.



Ella made a friend too! She fed him some hay.



After that, we returned home and ate some Bar-B-Cutie takeout before taking another dip in the hot tub. Bart, Jake and Lauren met up with a friend of Jake's who owns Stogie's Ale & Fine Cigars just a few miles from our house.