Post Christmas Fun

One of the things I loved most about this Christmas was all the family time we had.  Not like the typical weekend family time but the go and do something different kind of family fun.  One of our favorite gifts this year was a membership to the Tennessee Aquarium from my parents so the day after Christmas we went to check it out.  It was so fun!  We had been the first summer we moved here and then when Ella was one but hadn't been since.  The girls had a blast and loved checking everything out with the magnifying glasses they got in their stockings.  We have been a total of 3 times since and as I type, am waiting for Ella to wake from her nap so we can go again this afternoon (because we didn't get to go all the way through yesterday before my parking meter expired so I promised we could go back today).  One of the things I'm loving most is that it's an indoor activity (great for freezing winter days and scalding summer afternoons) where they are learning so much and getting lots of exercise - it's a lot of walking and they are surprisingly good about it.

That night we went to watch Brad and Dennis play tennis where we sat with Sidni, Valerie, Grandpa and Grandma.  Then afterwards went to eat with Brad and Valerie at Steak 'n Shake.

The next day we went to the Creative Discover Museum (we still have a month left on that membership from Christmas last year).  Another place the girls never get tired of going and where they can go and get lots of learning and playing done.  That night we went back to Dennis and Sid's to just play and relax!

Sunday was back to Dennis and Sid's to have one last dinner with Grandma and Grandpa before they left the next day.

Monday was kind of a downer day because daddy had to go back to work but we knew we only had a few days before he would be off again so we didn't pout too much!

Tuesday night we went up Lookout Mountain to go to Rock City's Enchanted Lights.  We had intended to go last year but the one time we drove up there to go there were so many cars in line to just park that we decided it wasn't worth it.  This year we went after Christmas and on a week night so it was pretty slow which was nice.  The girls loved all the lights and the Fairytale Cove.  There are some pretty hilarious pictures of Madeline from that night but that will be the next post and the post after that will be New Year's Eve!  I'm getting there!

So here are the pictures from all the above activities!