last days in Tennessee

I know I had so much more to say about our family trip to Tennessee but it all seems so long ago. We had so much fun playing at the pool, the lake and my parent's house. It is so relaxing there. My siblings were texting each other the other day saying that we need to do this again. 

Quinn is 6!

The day we got to Tennessee, it was my niece Quinn's birthday. We pulled together a little birthday party as soon as we got there (after the guys ran to the store for lunch and cake). She opened all her presents and ran to the corner with everything to play. She let Elinor play with her Hello Kitty magnetic dress up kit. Such a great big cousin!

 and of course Elinor is one!

Toby was there too and Elinor bullied him

and some iphone pics

ice cream!

 being a big kid

 even toby got a party hat

 exploring the backyard

Tennessee part 2

 My parents told me about a barn where you can ride horses. They also have hay rides followed by a fire where they roast hot dogs and make s'mores. How fun! Too bad we could never do that unless we bring our own.

 Elinor loved it there. I really think she may be a country girl. She loved looking at the horses and playing with the barn cats. We found out later that the cat is actually not very friendly. A man told us to watch out for her after Elinor had been rubbing and pulling on it. The cat didn't seem to mind one bit.

 I had to nurse Elinor before we left. While we sat in the car I snapped this cute picture of my parents waiting. How adorable are they?!

We came home and Elinor and toby played. It was so hard to get pictures of them since neither of them will sit still.

Tennessee

Dave had to go to Russia to play some shows so Elinor and I went to Tennessee to visit my parents. They had bought a house there awhile ago but finally retired and made the move.

My dad picked us up from the airport. He held Elinor and she snuggled up on his shoulder right away. We facetime with them just about everyday but I didn't think she would make the connection. Their house is amazing. It's something that I wish we can find, big and open. They are in the mountains with nothing but woods all around them. When we got out of the car and I looked up, the sky was full of stars. I forgot that the night sky can even look like that! I didn't bring our real camera since I already had so many things with me. I wish I did but hopefully Dave can get some free time and we can go back.

Our first day there my parents showed us around. There are trails that go everywhere. They have access to the lake, pools, community center for the indoor pool and basketball court, playgrounds, golf courses and more. Everything is so close unless you need to go to a grocery store.

Elinor and their new puppy Toby became buddies right away. He was so good with her but as the days went on my sneaky daughter would push her toys or food into his mouth and then look at her papa to yell at him. Then she would laugh and laugh. Oh that little girl!

She loves her "papa" and "mum". I wish we could be close enough for weekend trips.