Tennessee in March

We didn't make it to a tropical beach for spring break this year, but warmer temperatures and a little more sun was to be found in Tennessee.

Grandma and Elliot playing the Wii, view the video below to appreciate the full affect of this bonding time.

 We visited Reelfoot nature center

They brought some snakes out for the kids to hold.
Jane with a milk snake

Aaron was letting us know how he felt about his daily routine being interrupted with this trip.

Baldcypress trees fill the lake, which is reported to have formed as a result of earthquakes in the 1800's.

They have rescued owls and bald eagles. 

The parents were given a one day notice of our arrival, and wanted to celebrate Elliot's 8th birthday.

Grandma whipped up  this hot fudge cake infused with sweetened condensed milk.
Jane helped decorate.

I picked up these mustaches while us girls were out shopping. 

The kids were sent out to find some hidden surprises.

 a two-dollar bill.

Thankful for a family that allows us to drop in whenever we want. 

mid March from outypants on Vimeo.

Spring?

According to the calendar, Spring arrived on March 21st, now we just need the weather to look at a calendar and realize it is time to let the sunshine and stop the snow from falling. 

The good news, thanks to a wetter snow the kids were able to make their first snowmen.

The Titanic Exhibit is currently going on at the Grand Rapids Museum.

Photos aren't allowed inside the actual exhibit. Here is Jane next to a painting of the "unsinkable" ship. The captain was asked to come out of retirement and make this one last trip for the maiden voyage.  He was to be done sailing after they arrived to their destination.

We were given boarding passes of real passengers. When you come to the end there is a list of names and you can see if your person survived.
My name was Sarah Elizabeth I was in second class and I didn't survive. Jane was a 16 year old girl in first class who did survive.   First class ticket cost anywhere from $57,000-100,000 (in today's currency) and third class $900. The tragic of the Titanic prompted changes in laws and regulations that has saved lives on the Atlantic for a hundred years.

riding the carousel

BUTTERFLIES AT THE GARDENS

When we now walk into the conservatory and see the banana plants, bamboo and feel the warm, humid air, it reminds us of Hong Kong. 

Desperately trying to get a butterfly to land on him. 

Outside of the conservatory we are are quickly reminded we don't live in the tropics.

Snowball fight outside the cabin

 The Kids at the Gardens in 2007

Look at those chubby faces! I hope the gardens will be a fond memory to the kids when they are older and look back on their childhood.