Denson History

We made a stop by Great Grandma Brewster's house in Meridian, MS on our way back home. There were people sitting on the front porch so we felt a little funny taking too many pics and lingering but we can now say we have seen it at least. Little bit of family history for the record books.

Uncle Jack

On Wednesday Michael made a passing comment about the Jack Daniel's distillery. A bit of internet research later and next thing you know, our first destination on Thursday is Lynchburg, TN.  We now know a whole lot more about whiskey making, very cool tour and impressive facility.  Girls did remarkably well on the tour. They did remarkably well on all of the tours we did this week, we actually got compliments from other people, so it isn't just us being biased!!  

Here are the girls and Jack

Ella being silly

Michael and his girls in front on a whiskey barrel at the actual Jack Daniel's facility.  We also learned more of the history of the Jack Daniel's barrels we have as planters in our back yard. Too bad ours don't have the brand on them like this one.

Final Day In Nashville

We had a nice relaxing final day in Nashville. We were excited to have Denise and Connie join us at Belle Meade   Plantation. We learned about the horse farm and saw some cool old buildings, including a pretty swanky mansion. Then had a nice lunch at the plantation followed by a great family dinner to end the visit.

The family on the front porch of the mansion

The girls relaxing with Aunt Connie

Yummy Italian family dinner

We can't thank Denise, Steve and Aunt Connie for the generous hospitality. We had a wonderful visit and loved spending time with family.  I am pretty sure that the girls will continue to talk about Cousin Laura for a very long time!

Opryland

Today was all about the Opry!

The Grand Old Opry

Backstage in Dressing Room #1

Lots of picture with guitar opportunities here in Nashville.

Standing on stage in "The Circle"

Future Opry comedy act stars

Fun boat ride on the General Jackson and great lunchtime entertainment. Think it was more country music than the girls had ever heard!

And we ended the day with a visit to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and here are the girls horsin' around with some random "art" at the resort.  We also took a little boat ride around the little river and watched a fountain show to music. The fountain show was like the little baby sister to the show at the Belagio in Vegas. Or maybe more like a distant cousin.

Downtown Nashville

We spent most of the time at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.  Although we are not really into country music, I think that the visit was enjoyed by the whole family.  The museum was primarily made up of artists' guitars or other musical instruments and outfits from the beginning of country to modern day artists.  I think that the girls enjoyed looking at the instruments and when we got to the sparkly more current artists' outfits, that was a bit hit.  Taylor Swift had a rhinestone guitar on display that Ella really liked.  

We decided to take the tour of RCA Studio B which was really neat.  It was an old timey recording studio used by a lot of the country greats and of course Elvis.  Elvis is everywhere in Tennessee, even outside of Memphis.  It was a fun experience but the girls got tired of standing so they decided to share a seat next to one of the old recording devices.  A super cute photo op!

Addy is standing in front of one of the mics and podiums used by a lot of the old country stars when they were in the recording studio. 

Broadway is the main drag in Nashville full of honky-tonk bars and clubs, restaurants and boot shops.  There were some really tall boots and this is Ella standing next to a pair that was half as tall as she was.  The girls liked to go around the story and say which ones were their favorite. 

We visited the Pawn Star's place in Vegas, so we couldn't miss American Pickers Nashville Store.  No major purchases, other than an Antique Archaeology hat.  

We met up for dinner to celebrate cousin Laura's birthday.  Unfortunately we didn't get a picture when Laura was around, but the girls really enjoyed being able to celebrate with her.  Here are the girls with Aunt Connie at her house before dinner. 

Memphis

The first half of the day started with a car ride and 30 of Elvis' top hits to get everyone ready for Graceland. Not sure the music was a huge hit with the Wolf family, but Graceland was certainly worth the stop. It was quite a throwback to the 70's. The green shag carpet in the Jungle Room brought back memories of my childhood.

The girls seemed to enjoy the planes and the pink cars that Elvis had. I think they liked the mansion tour as much as any 4 and 7 year old would. 

Standing by the bed in Elvis' plane.  

Big plane!  It isn't very often that you get to walk around underneath a plane. 

Elvis' pink jeep. 

Elvis' front porch. 

The girls hangin' in Elvis' backyard. 

Then we made our first trip to a Triple D "dive". We thank Guy and the Food Nerwork for taking us to Uncle Lou's fried chicken. I know we would have not stopped there on our own!

Time to get to the final destination. Nashville here we come!

Family Vacation Day 1

Lots of quality car time. We had lunch at Wendy's for the 3rd time in about 3 weeks which is a record. As a result of our frequent Wendy's visits, it became Ella's #1 request when it came to lunch options.  Except she calls it Dorothy's.  Took us a while to figure out what in the world she was talking about - we immediately went to Wizard of Oz and thought maybe she was thinking we were in Kansas.  Nope, she just likes Wendy's, I think because of the good kids meal prizes and Frosty's. 

 Today we stood in Texas and Arkansas at the same time.

 Walked across a big dam bridge. 

And had our dinner delivered to our table by a train at the All Aboard Cafe in Little Rock. Ella is looking up at the train that is coming to deliver our food.

Lakehouse Weekend 2014

A fabulous time was had by old and new friends!  It is so fun how all of the kids love to hang out together now. 

 Water in the lake is 20+ feet below "normal", so the water is a bit murky by the dock.  The girls don't care though!

 Ella and Ainsley holding hands jumping off the dock!

 Addy continued to love the water sports - tubing, kids style surfing (she almost got up to standing), and riding the jet ski.  But this year was a breakthrough trip for Ella, she rode the tube a lot with Michael or me, but then she rode by herself the last day.  She also rode the jet ski with us.  I expect her to be unstoppable next year!

 Cute kids!

Good times with great friends!