Walking Down Memory Lane

We just got home from spending a night in one of my most favorite cities in the world. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Not what some would call remarkable when compared to other places such as London, Paris, Rome (all really cool cities to be sure). But for me, Chattanooga holds my heart, because when I visit there, I am able to revisit some very happy times.

In Chattanooga, 11 years ago, James and I had our first date at the Tennessee Aquarium and the Big River Grill. One year after that, James and I celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple in Chattanooga. When we found out we were pregnant with Jack we celebrated by going to Chattanooga. Throw in a few anniversary trips, and to me it is a very special place indeed. We took the kids there for a quick overnight trip. We found out very quickly when we got to the hotel that Jack had never stayed in a hotel before and Caroline had not stayed in one since she was very little (I guess we always stay in condos or beach houses when we vacation!). They loved the hotel! Although Jack wanted to know ~ "where do we cook the food and where is the refrigerator?" We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Big River Grill. We had the opportunity to tell the kids AGAIN about our first date and how we met. After a walk downtown near the Tennessee River, we enjoyed a dip in the hotel pool, then got a good night's rest.

We spent the next day at the Tennessee Aquarium. Having been to both the Georgia and the Tennessee Aqarium this summer, our family overwhelming likes the Tennessee Aquarium better (although we do like the Beluga's that are at the Georgia Aquarium).

The children enjoyed touching the stingrays.

We saw some really neat Hyacinth Macaws. We also enjoyed the butterfly garden. Multi-colored winged beauties flying everywhere, such a magical place.

Jack loved seeing the penguins.

We got to see a real shark cage up close and personal.

One of our favorite creatures we saw was a 150 year old snapping alligator turtle. Caroline was shocked when we told her it was alive during the Civil War! (no picture of it, unfortunately)
We some really wonderful creatures. It is amazing how creative God is in designing so many incredible animals.

After an exciting day at looking at sea creatures, what is better than some yummy Ben and Jerry's!

We then went and saw a 3-D ~IMAX movie on Whales and Dolphins. Here we are before the movie, looking so hip and cool! Two tired and worn out children happily holding their animal souvenirs on the ride home!