Opryland Hotel & Wedding

We went to the world's largest hotel- the Opryland Hotel.  It was incredible!  The pictures don't really do it justice so I suggest if you ever get a chance to see it for yourself... go do it.  

There are little shops and restaurants all over.

The river that roams throughout the hotel.

There were lots of fountains.

There was a really amazing water fountain show that they say is even neater at night with the lights.

There were also several waterfalls.

I had a hard time getting a normal picture (surprise! surprise!) so I decided I didn't want to look like the only normal one :)

It was hard to get a picture without the glare because of the glass domed roof and the sun was beating in.

WEDDING

Two Rivers Mansion- site of Austin & Abbie's wedding

The bride and her father.

Mr. & Mrs. Knobloch

We headed back after the reception and spent the night somewhere in Missouri.  We got home Monday around 1:30 and I still had plenty of time to start on the list of things to do for the week.  (Hint:  Dove season starts this weekend.  Which means we will have lots of company and food!  Stay tuned...)

Nashville, TN (Picture Heavy)

Jacob & I left for Nashville last Thursday morning with his parents, brother, & sister.  We rented a house to stay at while we were there for Jacob's cousin Austin's wedding.  We visited several historic sites that were involved in the Civil War.  I am not a huge history or museum buff, but I did enjoy it for the most part.

Battle of Franklin hospital house

Slaves quarters

Bullet holes from the Battle of Franklin in the barn (the most bullet-ridden building still standing from the Civil War)

More bullet holes in the house

Horse breeding farm.  All the horses that were in the Kentucky Derby this year can be traced back to a few sires on this farm.

More slaves quarters.

This is what I did  as the history buffs read every. single. plaque. of. information.

Did anyone else know that Best Buy has a vending machine of electronics?

Dad and his coffee "mug" :)

This is what we did one evening when we had to make a pit stop at Walgreens.

This is the card that had the entire family laughing so hard they were crying.

I had a hard time getting a serious picture of the 2 of us.  He is such a goof ball.  I love that.

Coming soon:  Opryland hotel and pictures from the wedding

Glow-In-The-Dark Bowling

 One night with the kids I did glow-in-the-dark bowling.  We had so much fun!

Just take glow sticks and put them in empty water/pop bottles.  Line them up and see who can knock them all over.  It is way harder than it looks! (Sorry about the pics.  I need to figure out how to take good night time pictures.)

Finally got them all!

Niabi Zoo

One of the days I was home we went to Niabi Zoo up by Davenport.  The kids had so much fun seeing all the animals, riding the train, and riding on the merry-go-round.

Getting ready to leave on the train.

I never got a good picture of her because every time I tried she just wanted to see the camera.  I guess I need to work on my sneaky skills.

Drake enjoyed wheeling around in Grandpa's wheelchair until he needed it.

Our family tree :)

Petting and feeding the goats.

Goofing off in the gift shop

I let the kids each pick out something from the gift shop.  I love spending time and spoiling my nieces and nephews!  xoxo,  Aunt Krystal

Mighty Mississippi

I went back to Iowa for a week and one of the first things I got to do was go on the river and help Grandpa bring in the lines.  I have very fond memories of doing this as a kid growing up.  Of course, this also meant sacrificing some beauty sleep.  I was up at 5:00 to be down at Grandpa's and ready to go at 6:00.  I got there about 5:45 only to find everyone still sleeping- so I took a walk.  It was gorgeous and I spent some alone time with God.  

Good morning from the mighty Mississippi

Lee & Laurie Wilson joined us as they were heading to Ohio and stayed overnight at Grandpa & Grandma's.  Laurie helped put the boat in.

Backing the boat into the river.

A very special man in my life- my Grandpa.

 

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson

Regrettably, my camera died before we even started pulling in the lines.  This photo is courtesy of Laurie Wilson.  74 catfish!  This was only the 2nd best pull Grandpa has had in the many years he has been doing this.  Look for a fish fry in the future :)