Nashville in November

We recently traveled with Hugh to one of his conferences in Nashville.  The kids and I went out and did lots of fun things while Hugh attended the conference every day, and then on most evenings we ate out with Hugh at a different local restaurant.  I loved the trip because the weather was still pretty warm, the leaves were still changing colors, and there were lots of fun places to visit.  By the end of our trip though I was exhausted!!  You see, our little sleepers rise early and go to sleep late when we are all sharing one hotel room, and naps were a bit sparse.  Overall though, I'm glad we went with Hugh, and I think the kids really enjoyed it!  

One morning Alaythia rose really early, so she came and nursed herself back to sleep in my bed and added on another hour or so of snoozing, which was much appreciated!!

The Lane Motor Museum had a fun kid's play area.  We stayed there for a few hours, driving in the kid's sized cars, playing with the train table, coloring, etc.

I thought these little gas pumps were too cute!!

Of course, Enoch found some books and decided to read them atop his favorite car.

The TN Agricultural Museum had some neat outdoor cabins and large equipment that the kids enjoyed!  And there was a horse stable right beside it too where we got to pet the police horses and the barn cat.

We visited a few local parks.  Fannie Mae Dees Park  had some neat play equipment, like this giant see-saw.

One of the highlights was the local library's story time.  They have a team of actors who put this on weekly.  They had fun puppets, lots of songs, and a good story.  The kids loved it so much that we stayed and watched the show a second time.

The escalator... also a highlight for Enoch.

Everyone loved walking up the huge pedestrian bridge, out over the river.

And I thought the skyline was pretty.

There was lots of playing & snuggling in the hotel room.

sweet smiles

One other highlight - there was a construction site right outside our hotel room window!!  We got to see the construction by day and watch for police cars by night.  Enoch was especially riveted by the huge crane, which worked almost non-stop!

And we went back to Cheekwood Gardens to see their train exhibit.  This was one of the more expensive places we went, but the kids all enjoyed it so much!

Enoch was mesmerized!

Alaythia called this train the "punkin choo-choo" because it was hauling some pumpkins

Karis enjoyed taking selfies and talking with the other kids who were looking at the trains.

And last, but not least, there was a superb nature center just outside of Nashville (Warner Park Nature Center).  They had some neat displays inside, but the real treat was this play area out back.  Two huge dirt piles, a sand pit, and a cabin.  It was hard to leave this place... and even harder to wash off all of the dirt, but the kids had fun!

Karis headed straight for the cabin, and played there for awhile.