Chattanooga

Daniel had to take an ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) class in Chattanooga for work, so the kids and I decided to tag along and make a vacation out of it.  This was a big decision since our last vacation with kids was 3 years ago, which not coincidentally, was also the last time we had driven further than the required 3 hours to get to Gigi's house.  Our first "family" vacation had left quite a mark (scar?) on us, but we were finally ready to try it again...this time with two more kids in tow!  But, we had called in reinforcements as well.  Daniel's sister, Janelle, came along with us to help with the kids while Daniel was in class.  She is always such a pleasure to have around and having that extra set of hands and eyes made all the difference in being able to sightsee and enjoy it.  Huge thanks to Janelle for ALLLL she did that week! 

Daniel's family was headed on vacation the same day, so we were able to meet up in Atlanta at their family friend's house and pick Janelle up there.  They have grandchildren about the same age as our kids, and their house has quite the set-up for preschoolers!  Toys galore, a beautiful swimming pool, and a sleeping loft where you are allowed to jump on the beds - at least that's what their grandkids told us!  We had a good time catching up with them, and seeing the rest of the fam.  Josh bonded immediately with one of their grandsons and had a big time.  It's so sweet how kids can become best friends so fast!  As a bonus, I also got to meet Daniel's Uncle Ivan for the first time!

We left Atlanta after supper Weds. evening and drove the final two hours to Chattanooga.  The kids were really good travelers.  Corinne got tired of her car seat, but hung in there pretty well.  I don't know how we traveled before you could watch movies in the car...they are such a sanity saver for our family!

We stayed at Homewood Suites and that was perfect for us.  We had hot breakfast every morning and a two room suite, so the kids could go to bed early and the adults could stay up later.  The first day we checked out Coolidge Park in downtown Chattanooga (which seems like a really cool town).  The kids had fun running in the open field, playing in the splash fountain, and riding the carousel.  Brielle still chooses not to ride, but at least she doesn't burst into tears of fear while watching Joshua ride.

 

Amazing Grass!  It was nice to see some "real" grass for a while.

 
We ate hot dogs for lunch at this funky, local place called Good Dog.  (I got a Chicago Style dog - it was no Portillos but still good.)  And, then we had hot dogs for dinner as well at the hotel (another bonus of Homewood Suites is free dinner on weeknights)...the kids weren't complaining!  Daniel got out of class around 5pm and could join us for dinner and an evening swim in the pool.  We treated ourselves to a movie in the room that evening after the kids were in bed.

Friday morning Janelle and I took the kids to check out the Creative Discovery Museum.  It took us a while to find the stuff that was most interesting for young children, but once we did the kids were enthralled.  They also had a special Bob the Builder exhibit on display.

Just like daddy

Brielle REALLY enjoyed dancing on the stage and Janelle was a good sport.  Joshua did lights and sound effects!

Shoe fetish

Daniel finished up his class that afternoon and passed his exam.  We went to the Terminal Brewhouse for dinner.  The food was yummy and the homemade root beer was delicious.  Saturday morning we rode The Incline railway up to the top of Lookout Mountain.  It's a one mile ride at 73% grade.  STEEP!

There's always time for a game of Ring Around the Rosie

"We all fall down!"

Four sleeping passengers

After the train ride, we hit the road for Tallahassee.  We crashed there Saturday night, so we could drop Janelle off at home, then finally got back to Jacksonville on Sunday.  We were worn out, but fun times were had by all!