Tennessee Trip

Last week we made our first trip up to Tennessee to visit my parents since the girls were born.  We were happy to escape the 103+ degree temps and drought conditions at home for a few cool nights! The trip up took about 11 hours including four stops but we returned in only 10 hours.  The girls were wonderful in the car and loved watching their first movie on a portable DVD player. 

 

 

Our first day there we took the girls hiking along the Big South Fork River.  We brought a couple of carriers to practice with before our Yellowstone trip in July.  Here's Daddy and Elsie trying it out.

 

 

Family hiking!

 

We stopped at a little creek to play in the water and rocks along the way. 

 

 

We had to tear them away!

 

These little girls have Grumps wrapped around their little fingers, haha.  Leonie on the left.

 

 

Grandma and Leonie.

 

Once we were back to the trailhead we hiked down to the river to play in some more water.

 

 

Elsie in the river.

 

 

They would have stayed here all day too!

 

 

Me and my girls.

 

 

Back at my parents' house the girls stayed busy playing with my old toys and exploring lots of new things.  Here they are "helping" Grumps play his ukulele.

 

 

The girls also enjoyed yoga with Daddy and Grumps most mornings.  Here they are painting rainbows!  Leonie in solid pink.

 

My mom found some sidewalk chalk for the girls and they made beautiful art all over the sidewalks at Grandma and Grumps'. 

 

 

Casper the kitty also enjoyed the art with Elsie.

 

And with Elsie and Leonie

 

 

 

Daddy and Grumps watched the girls while Grandma and I were able to ride a few times.  My mom bought a new horse last year and Etta was a great ride!

 

 

My mom is a trail keeper for one of the trails we rode so we had to take a photo of any trees that need to be removed.  Luckily this one was easy to step over.

 

 

Although it was cooler in Tennessee, it was still plenty warm enough to play at the beach!  We went to a nearby dammed lake with a small beach. Leonie in blue.

 

 

Making sandcastles.

 

 

Daddy found a relaxing spot at a friend's house!

 

Another hike took us to a rock house - with a lots of rocks to climb!

 

We did a (little bit) longer hike on our last day so the girls spent a little more time in the carriers.  I think we're ready for Yellowstone!

 

 

Finally, a couple of videos.

 

Leonie hiking.

 

 

 

Making music.

 

 

Playing with bubbles.  And Leonie being mean!

 

 

May

This month we spent lots and lots of time outside!  I think I now know where almost all of the playgrounds are within a half hour radius of our house, haha.  We ran to the feed store one day and stopped at a new park at the beginning of May.  Here are the girls on the swings, Elsie in yellow.

 

And a fun rock climb.

 

We did some more strawberry picking too.  The girls were a really big help this time and (mostly) picked beautiful ripe berries. Elsie in the purple hat.

 

My little helpers.

 

 

The girls are big enough now to ride Peanut without a side walker so we did that several mornings.  Here they are brushing him before saddling up.  Leonie on the right.

 

 

Elsie.

 

 

Leonie.

 

 

A rare photo of mommy with her girls - on Mother's Day.

 

 

We had some monarch butterflies emerge in the flower garden one day.  Both girls were fascinated.  Here's Elsie checking one out.

 

 

Feeding the horses some snacks.  Leonie on the left.

 

Later in the month the weather started heating up so we found some indoor activities.  I took the girls to a gymnastics Mommy and Me session a couple of times and they loved it.  I didn't get too many photos but there are some videos I'll attach at the end.  Here's Elsie contemplating life at the top of a rock climb.

 

 

And Leonie in a shopping cart.  There were lots of "outdoor" toys at the gym as well as a bouncy house, a long trampoline, and a couple of roller coasters (see videos below).

 

We've been continuing Mommy and Me dance class too.  Here are the girls dancing with scarves.  Leonie in purple.

 

 

I had another chance this month to sneak away to a horse show with Mow too.  We had fun!

 

 

We also got a little work done around the house and barn.  Here's Matthew installing a window in the tack room.

 

 

At the end of the month we had a surprise visit from my Aunt Sandy and Uncle John on their way home from Florida.  The girls enjoyed lots of books and playtime!  And I enjoyed a morning in town on my own while the girls played at home.

 

 

Finally, here's the video collection from this month.  I keep meaning to get a video of the girls talking but they are usually quiet when they see the camera.  In the middle of the month I tried to count how many words they can now say but lost count after 45!  Some of their cute phrases include "I know", "More please", and "Uh oh".  They know each others names and say No-knee for Leonie and Esh or I-E for Elsie.  We aren't tired of the Mommas and Daddys yet either!

 

Swinging.

 

 

 

Coloring.

 

 

 

Yoga with Daddy.

 

 

Fun at the gym!  Elsie.

 

 

 

Leonie.

Bouncy time!

Leonie running on the trampoline.