Adventure Science Museum

OH!  How we LOVE science museums!  They are just too fun!

In Nashville, we were able to go to this one for free, using our membership pass.  Zach, Hannah and Emily took a turn on the 'Moon Walk' simulator.

Just a little awkward.....

Since Parker was too small to try the moon walk, Tanner helped him with the rocket shooter games.

Anybody know the weather?

They had a blast running up and down all FOUR floors of this huge tower filled with obstacle courses and games. :)

Hannah, my little piano player, thought this piano needed to go home with us.  I don't think it will fit in the RV though, what do you think?

I don't know what it is about dominoes, but they ALL love setting them up, over and over again.

Parker, playing with his roller coaster experiment.

Then, there was an entire section of the building focused on the human body.  It was awesome!  Everything from the brain, to skin, to the veins and more!  I LOVE all the 'hands on' experiments they offer for the kids.  They are learning and don't even know it!  HA!

Maybe I need to feed her more?

Now I KNOW he is eating!  Where did it all go?!

In the 'operating room,' they had X-rays, dissecting, and even REAL specimens in jars for you to observe!  We saw a human brain, sheep brain, cow brain, and the ENTIRE body of a cat, from the INSIDE! It was really gross, but really COOL!  :)

It was a fun day for the kids.  They had fun and learned a lot.  And, they were worn out by the end of the day. :)

Blessings,
Steph

The Parthenon

So, we decided to visit the The Parthenon in Nashville one day, and thought it would be so great to see this building, since the REAL, ORIGINAL one is in Athens, Greece, and this is its exact replica.  Tanner and Zach will be studying World History as well as the US History that we are studying on the road, so I thought this would be a treat, right?

Well, we were excited to see the outside of the building.

And we were excited to see this HUGE 24 foot door.

 And we were excited to learn that the Percy Jackson movie was filmed here.

And, this is the other side of that really big door. :)

But, then we went inside the building, and we saw this.  Yep.  The biggest, golden Athena anyone has ever seen!  Are you serious?!  I mean!  It was totally cheesy!  Yeah, I know it's the whole, 'GREEK' mythology thing, and Tanner actually thinks it's interesting.  But, come on!

There were rows of these busts and other statues that I kept having to shield my little ones' eyes from, and remind my older ones to act 'mature.'  I couldn't help but feel that we were out of place, if that makes sense?  :)

Here is the deal.  If you want to visit the Parthenon, or its replica in Nashville, and you have small children, then stay outside and have a picnic.  If you are REALLY interested in Greek Mythology and you are an adult, then by all means, have fun!
It was not my cup of tea, and let's just leave it at that!  :)


Blessings,
Steph

Belle Meade Plantation

We spent a day at the Belle Meade Plantation as a family, and it was honestly, a mixed bag.  There were parts of the tour that we all loved and there were parts of it that were SO interesting, and then, there were those parts, that were just, o.k. :)
Since we are learning about the Civil War, visiting battlefields, understanding the politics of that time, and the culture in America in the 1860's, we HAD to visit a plantation!

Now, Belle Meade was a different kind of plantation.  It did not make its money from farming, although its owners, Harding and Jackson had plenty of land.  It made its money from horses.  Race Horses!
This home was actually protected from the union, and the horses were also protected from getting 'enlisted' to help the cavalry.

Aren't they so cute? :)

We were guided through the beautiful mansion, but unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures inside.

They also had a winery and free taste-testing for those who were interested.

Believe it or not, this is not the mansion, but part of the STABLES!  Did I mention that the horses made them money?!
In fact, Seabiscuit and Secretariat are the descendants of Enquirer!  Too cool, huh?
They loved this horse so much, that when it died, they made an ink well out of his hooves!  Yeah, that is one of those, icky parts of the tour......

Can you imagine making a door stop out of little Rover's paws?!  Eewww!!
Just saying.....

The stables were also beautiful, as well as the carriage house.

Beloved Enquirer's plot on the family's estate.

Even after the war had ended, they still had slaves that decided to stay and work at Belle Meade.  It was such a stark contrast to see this type of home, only yards away from such a lavish mansion.

Sadly, prohibition succeeded, and horse racing was soon illegal in the state of Tennessee.  Belle Meade fell to the hands of the state, and eventually was sold off into what is now, the city of Belle Meade, with subdivisions, stores, roads, traffic and other busyness of modern life.


Blessings,
Steph

Nashville, TN.

We are having a wonderful time here in Nashville.  Our campground is so peaceful, and the nearby lake has been absolutely wonderful.  The Campground has put a 'beach' right on the bank with a border-float, so the kids don't swim out too far.  There is also a little playground that Parker has loved.


Go Emily, go!!

My girlie-girl loving the sand. :)

Yeah for summer!!

There is much to see and do in Nashville, so stay tuned!

Blessings,
Steph

Green Acres RV Park -Campground Review

"Green Acres, is the place to be!"

While we were in Savannah, TN., visiting Shiloh National Military Site, we stayed at Green Acres!
It was just what we needed after the sweltering heat in Memphis.

Price - $19/n - full hook ups, HUGE pull through site, (used our Passport America pass for 50% off)

Amenities - great pool, picnic table, laundry and shower/ bathrooms were clean, but very small.

We also went to the local church, Hopewell Baptist Church down the road, and it was such a blessing.  Their pastor preaches verse by verse, and the congregation was so friendly.
This is a great location if you want to visit Shiloh Battlefield, which only about 15 minutes away. :)


Blessings,
Steph

State #21!!! Tennessee!

Even though we visited Memphis, TN., last week, we did not OFFICIALLY stay the night IN the state until last Friday!  :)  So far, Tennessee has been really nice.  I love the hills and green trees.  The people are also very friendly and welcoming too.

When we left Memphis, we headed northeast to a small town called, Savannah.  We stayed at a nice little RV park (review will be done later!) that was really close to Shiloh National Battlefield.

 This battlefield has so many artifacts, and historical facts about the Civil War.  It was so organized, and the National Park system did a great job preserving the area and arranging the tour.

There are over 250 cannons at this battlefield, many of them, in their original settings.

Of course, the dress-up area was a 'hit!'  :)

Ummm, Parker, I think it is a little too big for you.......maybe a couple more years?

Here is the actual Shiloh Church that the battle was named.  It is such a humble little place, with a wood stove, small pulpit, and benches lined up inside.  General Grant's (union) and General Johnston's (confederate) soldiers found themselves right at this very spot, many times, through out the battle.

The tour of the battlefield was actually 10 miles long, and was ironically, a beautiful place.  They have placed monuments, tombstones and memorials through out the acreage, noting where certain men died or where points of significance were accounted for.  There was also a movie in the visitor center that we watched before the tour, and it was extremely informative.  I definitely recommend that you watch the movie first, before driving the battlefield tour.


Afterwards, we stopped for a quick picnic in the truck and walked the National Cemetery.  There are roughly 3500 soldiers buried here, but it is worthy to note, that over 23,000 men died from the battle at Shiloh.  It is known as one of the most horrific battle grounds on American soil, with the most casualties.  This battle was also significant for the north, as the union conquered all  the western states and the south, from this point.  They started gaining ground and the south was getting worn down.

Two-thirds of the 3500 tombstones, do not have names.  It was such a solemn moment.  I kept thinking how each one of these, is someone's son, brother, father, uncle, friend or neighbor.

Many, just had a number.

Shiloh made an impact on my kids.  I am thankful for the opportunity to learn alongside them, and experience history in such an awesome way.

It is times like these, when the Civil War is brought to life.  It is so easy to read a book, or hear others talk about the war, but to visit the grounds and walk the cemetery, reading the names of the brave soldiers who gave their lives for what they believed in, my heart is overwhelmed.

Way to go Jr Rangers!

Blessings,
Steph

Tom Sawyer's Mississippi River RV Park - Campground Review

While we were visiting the Memphis, TN. area, we were actually still in Arkansas!  HA!  We stayed in a great RV Park in West Memphis, AR., called, Tom Sawyer's Mississippi River RV Park.  


Although we planned on staying here for 10 days, it was just WAY too hot.  So we only stayed for 8. :)  If you are going to be in the Memphis area, it is a great location. (only about 15 minutes from downtown Memphis)  The price was nice, the RV park is cared for, and is on the out-skirts of Memphis, which is a good thing.  :)

Price - $$28/n or $162/week  for a big, pull-through site with full hook-ups

Amenities - FREE LAUNDRY!!!!!  LOVE it!!!!!!!!  Also, 3 fishing ponds, a tree house for the kids to explore and you are right on the bank of the Mississippi River, so you get to see the barges come in constantly.  There is plenty of space to play football, soccer, etc...  The shower/bathhouse was always clean too!

I honestly don't see us visiting the Memphis area any time soon, but if we were, I would definitely stay here again.  The managers were also very friendly.  We had our electricity cut off for a few hours, due to some maintenance issues, and they refunded our money for an entire days' stay!  They went over and above, in my opinion. :)


Blessings,
Steph

I Love Chick- Fil-A!!!

Did you support National Chick-Fil-A Day?  Yesterday, August 1, 2012 was a GREAT day, for sure.  It was a day that we stood behind a wonderful, hard working, all- American -kind of company, that is standing for truth and Biblical values.

As a family, Todd led a Bible study from the book of Romans 1: 18-32, and had some informative conversations about marriage and sinful choices and the consequences of those choices.  It was a day when we celebrated what we believe, and a reminder, how, even in America, that will be tested by this world we live in.

It was a special day, because we normally don't eat out very much, and if we do, it is CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!

But, today, we planned, and budgeted for this time.  :)

For our family of seven, it cost, $68.00 to eat dinner at Chick-Fil-A!!!  Yep.


$68.00 well spent.



Blessings,
Steph

The Pink Palace Museum

While we were in the Memphis area, we decided to use our museum pass, to get in FREE, to the Pink Palace Museum.

Unfortunately, I had to break the news to Emily, that it is NOT a  museum filled with 'pink stuff.'  :)

It is however, a mansion built with a pinkish colored brick.  :)

The history of the mansion, is a little sad to me.  Mr. Clarence Saunders, founder of the original Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, dreamed of building a mansion that would 'stand for thousands of years' for his family.  In the 30's, he wanted to have a bowling alley, indoor swimming pool and much, much more for his three children.  Then the Stock Market Crashed.  He lost it all, even the home.
So, the city of Memphis gave it to its citizens as a museum.  Thousands of visitors come each year, and marvel at Mr. Saunder's home.

They have a cool dinosaur display.

This guy actually moved and roared.  It was actually intimidating!

The girls and Parker enjoyed the dino-dig.

This back bone, from the Argentinosaurus, is the largest dinosaur bone in the WORLD!

There was an exact replica of the first Piggly Wiggly self-serve grocery store inside.

I had the kids play a game, finding as many name brand products in this store that we would find inside a grocery store today.  I was surprised to find so many!

Here are some rifles......check out the one on top!  HUGE.  They had to rest this 'duck gun' on a boat, it was too heavy to hold.

I am always amazed at the size of cannon balls.

Just the way I like to see a python.  :)

Ofcourse, the girls ooooed and awwwwed at the beautiful gowns. :)

Here are some of the rooms in one of the wings of the mansion.

The music room......

A stair case from one of the lobbies....

The ceiling in the main lobby.....

Dress up clothes are always a hit!

We had a nice time visiting the Pink Palace, and want to thank the Saunders family.  Their time of loss has blessed and educated many through out the years.


Blessings,
Steph

Confidence.....

How confident are you?  I mean, really?

Yesterday, I was washing dishes, and I went outside to check on the girls.  They asked if they could go ride their bikes together, so I said, "Sure."  Todd was outside talking with one of our 'neighbors' and the boys were hanging out in the RV after exploring for a while in the scorching heat.

It did not take long, before I noticed THIS!

Yep.

That is Emily, riding her bike, in public, with CURLERS IN HER HAIR!!!

Seriously?!

I had to capture this moment in time.  How often, in life, are we SO confident, that we honestly don't care what people think!?  To the tune of wearing lime-green curlers in our hair!

I think I need to take a few lessons from her! HA!


Blessings,
Steph