WOW! 2012 has been a wonderful year for our family!!! There has been so much going on and I couldn't possibly catch everyone up on all that has been going on, but I'll post some highlights...

I'll start off by saying that I almost decided to give up on my blog. I had lots of visitors when Jane Baird was sick a few years ago and I didn't realize that people still check my blog today. My main motivation has always been to scrap book our lives and memories we are making together as a family so that we can look back one day and remember all of the wonderful times we have shared with each other. I've had several people tell me recently that they miss reading my blog and I have to admit, I miss updating it. I am going to try to do a better job in 2013 for my family's sake. One day when we look back on 2012, I'll be disappointed that I left so much off of my blog.

And since nothing jogs a memory like a photograph...


JULY 2012--Our weekend trip to Chattanooga, TN

I had been to Chattanooga several times in my life.  This was our first trip to Chattanooga as a family with a child.  I knew we would have a good time together because we always do, but this was a trip none of us will ever forget.  We had an AMAZING time!  It all started when I purchased a Groupon for the Chattanooga Ducks tour.  I thought since it was only 3 hours away we might go some day and take JB.  We had just gotten back from the beach and were exhausted but we had already made reservations for our Ducks tour.  I had almost decided to cancel just because I wanted a weekend at home after being at the beach for 9 days.  We decided to go on and I remember telling Alan to pack a bag incase we decided to stay overnight but I probably would want to come back home....we ended up spending the night and wishing that we had a whole week in Chattanooga.  There is so much to do and so many great places to eat and the city is super kid friendly and a good place to visit if you have an active lifestyle and like to exercise. 


And since nothing jogs a memory like a photograph...

Chatanooga Ducks

 Aquarium

 In our hotel

 Look at that tan!

 I hadn't even thought to pack JB a swimsuit...we found a walmart and bought her this one.  It was a couple of sizes to big, but she didn't care!

 Our favorite playground somewhere on Look Out Mountain

 Historical carousel in Coolidge Park.  We all rode but my pic wasn't good enough to be made public :)

 Playing in the water in Coolidge Park.  Yep, she is standing over the water spout making the water spray her bum.  She did some funny/strange things on this day in this park!

 Push ups over the water!

 Next we got got enormous snow cones and headed home.  We were sad to leave!!!  Next summer we will plan to spend some extra time in Chattanooga! 
Oh and we ate at Lupi's Pizza which came highly reccommended by our Ducks tour guide(AMAZING!!! I heard they make their own fresh mozzerella cheese...fresh moz is my favorite!)  and we also enjoyed our meal at The Blue Plate which was also highly reccommended.  We ordered Blue Plate Nachos which were very good, salads, and JB got Mac N Cheese.  Luckily for me she isn't a big eater and I got to eat a few bites of her mac and it was some of the best I've had!