Walkin & Tennessee

Well, I'm sad to say we're leaving BEAUTIFUL Tennessee. It was a short visit but we're very thankful to Kyle & Rachel for giving us a reason for a vacation! Gracie did great on the trip... especially since she was running a 102 temperature the whole way over here. We took her to the doctor before we left but Brock and I think she's working on all four of her top teeth at the same time. Her fever was pretty much gone by our first night so I'm glad she got to enjoy her visit too.
Friday we went to Opryland. Unfortunately The Grand Ole Opry was closed to the public because there was a show choir competition being held so we ended up going to Opry Mills mall. It was pretty much like Grapevine Mills but it's always nice to do a little shopping! :) We ran out of time after that and had to get ready for the rehearsal dinner that night. It's crazy how much less time you have for sightseeing when you have to be sure and fit in naps and feeding schedules! lol :) The rehearsal dinner was lots of fun and had some great BBQ. We got to catch up with some of Brock's OKC friends and tell some stories on Kyle, watch him squirm... haha, poor guy.
Saturday was by far our favorite day! We got up and went downtown to Nashville and drove around a little. We drove by LP Field and Music Mile then made a stop a Centennial Park & Parthenon.

The Parthenon was originally built in the late 1800's in celebration of the centennial and the national exhibition. It was just supposed to be a temporary structure for the centennial celebration but the people of Nashville protested it stay. So they later built it with materials to make it last longer. It the only exact replica of the Parthenon in Athens.

After we finished there, we thought - we're in Tennessee, we have to do some outdoor nature stuff! I love hiking and had read lots of comments for Lake Radnor so we drove over there. We originally choose a "nature" trail that was for hikers only - no jogging or cycling - but it was all mulch and since we had Gracie's stroller (I forgot her backpack carrier), we crossed over to a paved trail. It was so great to be out there!!! I couldn't count how many times Brock and I said that as we walked around.

After leaving Lake Radnor, we just drove around looking at houses. I told Brock I could have done this all day too. The homes are beautiful here. No massive neighborhood developments with ridiculous landscaping. After living in Dallas a few years, I feel like being in Keller is like being in the country. But it's nothing compared to this. There are beautiful old trees here and the houses are actually built on several acres of land. Sure, there are some amazing McMansions here, but most of them are older homes with so much character. I wish I had gotten some pictures of the neighborhoods. Even the normal homes were beautiful! I am so motivated to get home and do some yard work!

Saturday night was the wedding and we had so much fun! The reception was at The Factory at Franklin and they had lots there to entertain us all. Each guest had "money" to play at the casino tables and the top 5 people with the most money won gift cards at the end of the night. We happened to sit at a table with an old GriefWorks friend I haven't seen in a while and we had other friends that took turns taking Gracie around while Brock and I played blackjack (I actually did much better than I thought I would! :)) Gracie really enjoyed the DJ, she was dancing and rockin everywhere! I also think that was some of the best wedding cake I've ever had. :)

All in all, great great trip! :) In other news, Gracie took her first steps a week ago today! After small group (daddy had given her some cake AND a cookie bar), she was putting on a show for everyone. It took her a couple tries but she ended up taking her first steps while our friends Lance & Taylor were filming. (If you're on facebook, Lance uploaded the video and tagged Brock and I.) She's getting to be such a big girl! :)

Finally!!! a blog! yay!

Well, I've been trying to start a blog for a while now. Though we do have one on wordpress... I don't know how to use that thing. And why I chose now is beyond me. You would think the life of a stay-at-home mom would be pretty relaxed and laid back but it seems we have stuff going on all the time. BUT, I promise friends and family, I will try my best to keep this up to date with plenty of pictures! :)

So, Gracie had her birthday about a month ago. I know it's cliche but I can't believe it's been a year! In some ways, it feels she's always been a part of us but in other ways, it feels like we just got her. And she already seems to be growing up so fast. Everyone has been commenting on how much older she looks recently: lots of hair coming in, teeth coming in, standing up (almost walking)... and, if things go the way they should, last night will have been her last nursing. :( We've been slowly cutting down the times that she nurses over the last month so hopefully it will go well for both of us. AND, I'm crossing my fingers that my friends are right and that I will lose this extra 5 pounds my stomach and hips seem to want to hold onto!

Other than the big number ONE, we've just been working and having fun! Brock's job is up and down a lot but I'm so grateful to have a husband who works hard so I can be home with our baby. It's been wonderful staying home this past year but we've arrived at that time to start earning some extra dough. I actually had a harder time adjusting to staying home than I thought. I'm so used to working it was hard to feel like I wasn't contributing financially. So part time would be ideal for us... alittle time working, a little time at home... as long as we can find some affordable day care that won't make it all in vain!

We've got a little trip coming up for Brock's friend Kyle. He and his soon-to-be wife Rachel are getting married in Tennessee so we have an excuse for a little get away! :) Some great friends of ours are letting us use their portable dvd player which straps onto the headrest in the car so hopefully it will make the trip enjoyable for Gracie. We're definitely looking forward to a mini vacation! Then two weeks after that is my dear sister's wedding!!! =D So, we will definitely have some fun pictures coming up soon.

Gracie has finally woken from her record breaking slumber so this is it for now. Sorry for the randomness... this is more of a catch-up post I guess. =) More to come soon!