Chattanooga

After leaving the Space and Rocket Center, we drove to Chattanooga about an hour and a half away. We stayed at a Historic Hotel of America - the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. It was nice, but unless you stay in the train cars that have been converted into rooms, the rooms are actually just normal, if not, OLD. Being there and imagining all the trains coming in during the war, etc, was cool. There were some shops and restaurants right there, and the kids ate FREE. Chris and the kids went swimming while I visited several shops. One shop, Sweetly Southern, had MOON PIES - and a new crunchy cookie kind in mint and peanut butter. We watched Biggest Loser and then went to sleep getting ready for our BIG DAY on Wednesday. On Wednesday, we had a breakfast buffet at the Gardens Restaurant and then headed out to Ruby Falls.

Family shot in front of Choo Choo. Kids received free engineering caps as part of our hotel package

Historic Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel

Future train engineers

So we arrived at Ruby Falls - the kids had their walking sticks, and we started the descent 1100 feet underground to see the famous Ruby Falls. When Leo Lambert first went into Lookout Mountain, he was gone for 17 hours and came back telling of a beautiful water fall he had found. He then took his wife, Ruby, and hence the waterfall was named Ruby Falls. Here is a picture of some of the cool formations we saw along the way.

Here is the crystal chandelier and the totem pole

Beautiful Ruby Falls; this shot was taken without a flash. The waterfall is 145 foot drop and is 1100 foot underground.

We left Ruby Falls, and finally found our way to Rock City. Here is a picture of the kids in front of their fall decorations. I was kind of scared, because I knew that Rock City was atop Lookout Mountain, but nothing can take the place of seeing the beautiful scenery and the fall colors and basking in God's creations.

At Rock City, you go on a marked path and along the way see several different formations of rocks, etc. Here is Fat Man's squeeze - why do they not say Fat Woman's squeeze. It was so tight, I had to take my camera bag off my shoulder.

Another tight squeeze at Needle's Eye

Mushroom Rock

Family shot at the spot where you can see 7 states on a clear day along with the Smoky Mountains

Only Chris and Rachel were brave enough to go out on this tiny ledge

Lover's Leap: legend says an Indian from one tribe fell in love with a woman in another tribe. Her tribe didn't like that, so they threw him over this ledge, and she loved him so much, she lept after him to her death.

So from Rock City, we headed to the Incline Railway - the steepest incline railway in the world. This is a shot of Jason and me before the thing actually starting moving. Neither of us do heights and knowing it would be a straight shot up the side of the mountain freaked us both out. We both did fine until we returned, and then Jason was okay, but I cried until we got halfway. Chris said we won't do it again, but we had tickets with our Mountaintop Adventure package with the hotel. It was okay, but I was really scared.

This was the start - you can't see the track straight up the side of the mountain

From the top of the Incline Railway, we walked 3 blocks to Point Park - where The Battle Above the Clouds was fought during the Civil War. Lots of neat Civil War cannons and places to see right where General Grant stood looking over the battle.

Rachel at Point Park

Jason at Point Park

Moccasin Bend and the Tennessee River

Had to have one shot of Jason and Rachel in the fall leaves - might be our last chance

We LOVED the Chattanooga area; we ended our trip getting to see another dear friend from our Florida days, Pamela Ironside. Their family is very dear to us. Forgot to take pictures, but we enjoyed breakfast with her right outside Knoxville. Thank you God for such a wonderful trip!!

Visiting Friends

One reason we were excited to be in Huntsville is because we knew that the Collins lived there. We were in the same Sunday School class for 4 years at Eglin AFB, FL. Our first borns were born a month apart, and Karey, myself, and 3 other ladies started a playgroup in which we participated in for 2 years before we moved. Jason and Kayla were good friends, but of course, Jason acted like he didn't want to be in a picture with a GIRL :) We enjoyed dinner and fellowship with them even though it was short. We look forward to heading back that way and spending more time with them.

Group Shot: Kayla, Rachel, Kiera, Cade, and Jason

Cade loved having Jason there to play - when we got ready to leave, he held on to Jason and asked if he could have a sleep over - SO SWEET!! We will stay longer next time, Cade!

Making name bracelets while they wait on the adult's to stop chatting



Group photo of adults: Chris, Sharon, Karey and Chris

My how they have grown in 6 years!!

Space and Rocket Center

We left Ohio on Sunday and traveled to Huntsville, AL. Chris had meetings there all day on Monday, so the kids and I hung out at the hotel. On Tuesday, we visited the Space and Rocket Center. The kids had a blast seeing all the rockets, and astronaut stuff from many years ago. We also went to the Chronicles of Narnia traveling exhibit they had there, but we couldn't take pictures. We saw props, costumes, etc from the first 2 movies, and 4 props that will be in the new movie in December.

Family photo at rocket park

Welcome to the Space Center

Saturn V rocket

Future astronauts

In the quarantine tent. When the astronauts would return from the moon, they would be quarantined for up to 3 weeks in case they brought back germs that weren't familiar.

Inside the rocket escape pod

Astronaut sleeping bag; they would sleep standing up

Rock climging wall - Rachel did well until she got almost to the top and then she started to get scared, so Chris had to go up to get her. I told her she was brave, b/c I wouldn't even attempt it.

Alabama

So we made it to Huntsville, well, we are actually in Madison, AL. Chris is in meetings all day, so the kids and I are hanging out at the hotel. We are going to do some schoolwork, swim, scooter, and make a trip to Wal-Mart. This evening we get to visit the Collins who we haven't seen in 6 years. Kayla and Jason were in a playgroup together for 2 years at Eglin AFB. I can't wait to see them. Tomorrow will be a big day with visiting the Space and Rocket Center. Will post pictures later this week. Hope everyone has a great Monday!!

Homeschool Field trip to Young's Dairy

On Wednesday, October 13th, we went to Young's Dairy with the Dayton Christian Homeschooling group. The kids were anticipating this day, because it has been almost a month since we had been on a field trip.

Nice shot of the kids sitting around the fall decorations provided by the farm.

Jason feeding the goats; he used to be scared, because they would almost "attack" him, but he was brave and let them eat out of his hand.

Rachel LOVES to feed the animals, doesn't matter what kind. She wanted to keep feeding them, but they were allowed to have 2 big handfuls.

Rachel tried to find the most round pumpkin she could find. They were kind of disappointed the pumpkins weren't bigger, but we were getting the last of the bunch.

Jason and his pumpkin - the farm provided a bag so we didn't need to carry it around the rest of the field trip.

Family shot on the trailer ride back

Don't get many chances for photos, but this one touches my heart. She will always be my little girl.

Jason getting to milk a cow; the kids were told that some farmers still milk like this, but that many farms now have machines to milk the cows.

Rachel milking the cow

The kids are standing in front of Humungous Gus; a cross between the record setting pumpkin and Young's biggest pumpkin. The kids guessed the weight; we will wait and see if their gueses were close.

All in all we had a great day, we finished the day with a scoop of their homemade vanilla ice cream. We then had lunch at the cafe' and picked up a few pints of ice cream to take home for a treat later. The only thing missing was Daddy!!

Fall Festival First Baptist Kettering

On October 8th, we went to First Baptist Kettering, which we now call home, for their fall festival. We had a great time!! Over 1500 in attendance, most at any fall festival by FBK. The kids had a blast trying to guess the weight of a pumpkin, bouncing in the bounce zone, and going on a hayride to pick a pumpkin.

On the hayride, each person was able to hear the gospel. Before we were able to pick a pumpkin, our children's pastor, Pastor Tony, led everyone in the pumpkin gospel. Everyone received a copy of the pumpkin prayer in their goodie bags. I am glad our church is mission minded and glad they used the festival to plant many spiritual seeds.

During the pumpkin prayer, Rachel was chosen to help poke out one of the pumpkin's eyes, which were shaped like hearts.

I think Rachel's favorite part of the festival was getting to ride a horse. She talked Jason into riding, too, and then he enjoyed it. She LOVES horses and wishes she could have one as a pet.

We enjoyed the hayride, especially because we were together as a family and were able to ride with a few of our new friends. Not too often do we get a family photo, so I insisted we get a quick snap shot.

After hearing the gospel, the trailer pulled us over to a field of pumpkins - the kids enjoyed getting to search for the one they thought was the perfect one. We then rode the trailer back to the parking lot. We had to shout, "I think I can" for our truck driver, because he had to attempt the hill several times. Jason and Rachel loved picking a pumpkin!

The most popular attraction was the bounce zone. We arrived at the festival about 10 minutes before it was scheduled to start, and we were glad we did. The kids were numbers 4 and 5 in line, and about and hour later, they had given out 150 tickets and could take no more participants. They enjoyed getting to jump high, especially since we don't have a trampoline at home.

Pastor Tony did a great job coordinating this event. The most they have had at a festival is about 300, so to get over 1000, was a blessing. Next year we look forward to participating as volunteers! We thank God for leading us to such a wonderful group of people who are focused on spreading the gospel wherever they are and using all the resources God has given them.