Father-Son Day: TKO 2017

Ever since Daniel was re-stationed from Bellefonte in Alabama to Watts Bar back in 2014, he has been taking Jack to watch the Tennessee Knockout Enduro (TKO) race in Prentice Cooper. It looks like I only shared about it the first year (probably because I don't tag along), but the two of them go every year and they love it.

Some years it is muddy and wet and they come home soaked and dirty. But they always come home happy.

What could be better than hanging out in the woods watching dirt bikes attempt to climb over sometimes impossible obstacles on a trail? Especially if you love dirt bikes and the woods :)

This year, Daniel and Jack invited another father-son to go watch with them.

We are so thankful to have met some friends that have similar interests to my guys (they went mountain biking together to Edward's Point during the summer).

I know Isaac will also love getting to participate in this outing when his time comes. And his time is coming. We have agreed that next year Daniel will take both boys to enjoy this experience.

I hope our kids will have many fond memories from their childhoods, and I'm pretty sure this yearly adventure with Daniel to watch the TKO Enduro race in the Prentice Cooper woods will be one of them.

For comparison, the above photo is Jack at this same race with Daniel back in 2014.

The Passage with Friends

As summer winds down, we are making an effort to do some last minute fun activities with friends.

This week that meant meeting up to play at the Aquarium and Passage fountains in downtown Chattanooga.

The Aquarium fountains are great for little kids – not too deep, but deep enough to splash and paddle around in. And they are free.

The Passage is special in that it is a series of steps with a cascade down to a pool that overlooks the Tennessee River.

It is a beautiful spot, but Daniel and I have never been since we had kids (we visited years ago, and it always seems to be closed when we have tried to check it out).

Anyways, it was open and we enjoyed the afternoon with our friends.

The water in the Passage was FREEZING! My legs were turning red as I walked in the pool to snap a few photos.

Of course, the kids didn't mind at all.

We brought a picnic, and then walked over to Ben & Jerry's afterward for ice cream.

What a fun way to wrap up end our fun, laid back summer days.

We are so thankful for good friends, and fun spots in our community.

Chuck-E-Cheese: a first

I knew we would eventually end up taking the kids to a birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese, but we held off for more than five years!

One of Jack's best friends had a last minute party at Chuck-E-Cheese, and Jack was more than happy to join in on the fun.

I have firmly told him that this is a place you only go to for birthday, though!

Jack and Isaac both had a great time. Isaac mostly followed Jack around and thought he was participating, when it was really Jack playing the games.

They enjoyed the pizza.

They enjoyed the games even more. And of course, we had fun spending an afternoon with friends.

We headed over after a workout at the Y, so all of the mamas were a sweaty and tired, but the kids were happy as clams, and sad when we had to leave.

Coolidge Park with a College Friend

Coolidge Park is always a good place to visit in the summer, especially if you have kids.

If you come to visit us in the summer months, there is a good chance we will take you to the Coolidge Park Fountains.

When my college roommate, Julie, came to town we met up one afternoon at Rock City (a first for us), and the next day we met at the Walnut Street Walking Bridge with plans to cross and play at the fountains.

Before you get wet, be sure to ride the carousel (you have to be dry!).

After the kids were good and wet, and hungry, we walked over to Good Dog to grab some lunch.

If you like hot dogs, this is a great place to try, there were so many choices!

This turned out to be a perfect summer day spent in Chattanooga with friends.