Burgess Falls with Pop-A-Lops

Our week in Tennessee was timed to coordinate with Anna and Chaz's birthday party. Unfortunately it didn't work out so well in terms of timing with Grammy's schedule as she was in Wisconsin with Great Grandma Carlson. We sure missed her lots but managed to keep busy. Sunday afternoon Pop-A-Lops (formerly known as Pa) took us to Burgess Falls State Park. He picked up KFC for a picnic on the way there and we had ice cream on our way home. It was a great day!

Pa is so fun!!!

Rocks, water and a beautiful sunny afternoon; who could ask for anything more?

Climbing up a mini water fall

Up and off to something new and exciting

Oops!

Pop-A-Lops and Kennedy watching my prim and proper "Little Lady"

I can't remember what Dad was doing here to make Kennedy laugh so hard (the hazards of getting so far behind in blogging/journaling) but I do remember that she thought it was hilarious! I have a whole series of pictures like this of her with that huge huge grin.

Sweet and tired baby and beautiful picture by Pa!

Thanks for the Fried Chicken and fun afternoon at the park Pa!
~

Thank you also to Aunt Arla who gave Reagan the adorable dress she is wearing! That is one of my very favorite outfits of hers this year.

June Tennessee Visit

Woefully behind, I know, but here are pictures from our time in Tennessee in June. :)

~

We spent one evening with the Sliger's and Reagan loved being spun and spinning other people in this chair. Thankfully Haley and others were willing to be good sports! :)

Kennedy getting some good attention from Aunt Marta
Aunt Marta's turn to spin! :)

We also spent time with the Stiriz clan. One day in particular Anna was pretty determined that Kennedy she have her paci in her mouth. Cameras/pictures aren't always great at catching action shots but as you can see from the series below Anna is certainly persistent! :)

Poor Anna, she looks so proud of herself when she's checking to see if Kennedy still has that paci in her mouth. What a good friend, even if Kennedy doesn't properly appreciate it!

Precious girlfriends with pacis and blankets. I love how they're looking at each other!

Love how these two are looking at each other too while Kennedy holds on to Chaz's feet. So sweet!

Just playing together :)

We spent a day with Beth Kelly while we were there too. We packed a lot in and sure had a lot of fun! We started the day by jumping on the Kelly trampoline.

Reagan loves trampolines!

Next Reagan decided to try the hamock... lol :)

Then we went to Cane Creek Park to feed some ducks. We were hoping to play on the playground too but it was entirely too hot and we were miserable!!!

After pizza for lunch Beth introduced us to the Candy Caboose. This was Reagan's first candy shop experience and needless to say, she enjoyed it! I had a really sweet picture of her with Beth in the store but I seem to have lost it. Bummer! I also seem to have lost pictures from our last stop of the day. No visit with the Kelly kids would be complete with out ice cream! So even though we had just been to the Candy Caboose we had to run by Marble Slab before taking Beth home. lol :)

Daddy and Reagan playing with new Ice Age figurines

Happy Father's Day (very belatedly)!

The best Father's Day picture we could get of Daddy and his girls

Out to eat a Father's Day breakfast with Grammy and Pa before heading back to DC for the last time

Thanks for all the fun everyone!

Gone Fishin'

When we were in Mount Olive for Easter Grandma mentioned that Grandpa wanted to take Reagan fishing the next time we were in town. So Thursday night Grandpa took Reagan shopping for her first fishing pole (sorry I don't have pictures they're on Grandma's camera). Reagan had a great time, especially checking out the reels with Grandpa in the store. On Saturday we went to a lake near Mount Olive to see what kind of little fisherman, or rather woman, Reagan would be.

I can't remember what Reagan was telling Grandpa at this point but especially if you enlarge this picture you can tell Reagan is definitely filling him in on something which he finds entertaining. :) My guess is it was somthing like "Shound I do it myself? Yes, I should do it myself" when Grandpa suggested she should wait to reel the line in.
Grandpa was trying to show Reagan where the fish were in these next few pictures because all she wanted to do was reel the line in as soon as they threw it out. I guess when you've never been fishing and you're only two, the idea that a fish will end up on the end of the line if you leave it alone is a bit abstract.

Reagan and Daddy looking for fish

Aunt Julie came along and kept Missy K entertained while I video taped and took pictures of our fishing expidition (note that baby's wild and crazy hair!)

Grandma and Reagan having fun while waiting for Grandpa to catch a fish

Time to try a new spot...

When you're not having any luck catching a fish then checking out the worms might seem like a good idea (Reagan did drop them a couple of times when they squirmed and startled her). Regan determined the worms were "slimey."

Showing the worms to Kennedy and Daddy

The funniest part of our little adventure was when Grandpa finally caught a fish. Everyone got super excited and started running towards him. Reagan started out with us but then I think we kind of scared her so she turned around and ran the other way refusing to join us. lol :) After a little convincing from Grandma, Reagan decided it would be okay to come and check out the fish. Luckily Grandpa was able to keep the fish on the line long enough for Reagan to come help reel it in.

Reagan wasn't quite sure if she wanted to touch the fish or not...

Kennedy on the other hand said "Let me at him!"

Then Grandpa showed Reagan how to hold the fish with two hands to release him back into the water

After that Reagan and Aunt Julie ran up the ramp yelling "Woo hoo!!!" but I didn't get a good picture to capture the moment. Too bad because they were super cute together!

~

Thank you for this awesome experience Grandpa and Grandma! We look forward to many more fishing adventures with you!

~

Thank you also to Grandma for the super cute outfits the girls are wearing. I don't think you can see the front of Reagan's dress very well in any of these pictures but there were 3 fish on them. Way too cute! :)