Fun Filled August

Big Holley and Dottie Jane

About a month ago my Granny, Ira's Big Holley, came to visit. We had a wonderful visit! Big Holley loved watching Ira play and she was so excited to get to hold Dottie Jane. Just a few days after our visit Big Holley had a stroke and had to be moved to a nursing home. I am really sad and struggling with the fact that my wonderful Granny is aging and that her quality of life has decreased, but I am so happy that we had one last chance to be with her before her stroke. I hope Ira remembers her as the warm and spunky lady who came to visit.

First Day of First Grade

East Nashville Tomato Art Festival

This year Ira made a tomato for the kid's art show. It is such a happy little tomato.

Dottie Jane's first Tomato Festival.

The festival begins with a parade and everyone gets to join in, even this Elvis matador.

and even these two handsome dancing fellas.

The water slide in the kid's activity area was Ira's favorite.

Getting his hair sprayed red and green.

Making art at a cute little art school in East Nashville.

Showing off his creation.

Posing with a tuba player at the Tomato Festival. The tuba is Ira's favorite instrument.

Wilson County Fair

We also went to the Wilson County Fair. Ira had the time of his life. He rode everything. We didn't get home until midnight, that's pretty late for a four month old, but Dottie Jane was a trooper (for the most part). Here our journey is just beginning. We are on a shuttle to the fair.

Daddy and Ira were no chickens. They rode all the rides.

First time eating a funnel cake.

Finger lickin' good!

 

  

Amazing view, sweet little face.

Shakolad Chocolate Factory

Our friend Emi gave us passes to tour Shakolad Chocolate Factory. Ira obviously likes chocolate. Thanks, Emi!

The tour began with a chocolate fountain.

Ira really enjoyed making the chocolate. 

 

Decorating his yummy treats.

Apple Picking

Last year we tried to go apple picking but it was too late in the season and everything was picked clean. This year we jumped on it and picked early. We met some of our friends at Pratt's Orchard and picked over 20 pounds of apples.

That's a lot of apples.

Picnic in the Park

Chucktown

When we first arrived in Charleston we were greeted by the entire Bloodworth family at Big G's house. Dottie Jane got passed around. Here it is Aunt Carol's turn.

Aunt Beth's turn.

Poppops' turn

The next day we went to the water park. Ira had so much fun. He was a little timid in the water last year but this year he was really in to it.

After the water park we went to dinner on the Wappoo Creek. Dottie Jane got passed around a little more. Big G finally got her turn.

Mommy snuggles.

Daddy took Ira to Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream to get a Strawana. Dottie Jane tagged along but no ice cream yet.

Ira's tongue eager for the first bite.

After a fun filled day we returned to Big G's house. Just as it was time to unwind and get ready for bed Ira discovered this miner's light and used it to catch frogs. He seriously caught over ten frogs and squealed with delight when he caught each one.

 

Catching frogs is serious business.

We spent the next day with Jesse's grandmother, GG. Dottie Jane and GG meeting for the first time. It was love at first sight.

GG with two of her great grand children.

Dottie Jane meeting Aunt Bobbi. Obviously both are having a good time.

Later in the day GG treated us to some fun at Blackbeard's Cove. Go carts were Ira's favorite. I'm not sure why he thought it was so funny to ride in the go cart so low, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

Miniature golfing

Rock climbing

More go carts...

and arcade games. This place was a little boy's paradise.

Our last day in Charleston we went for a stroll downtown.

Ira and Big G making a wish in the fountain outside of the Farmer's Market.

After the Farmer's Market we went to the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. It was the coolest museum. They had an awesome kid sized castle. Here Sir Ira is being naughty...

and he got sent to the dungeon for it.

Demolition Man

Captain Ira

Arrrrgh!

I just really liked this picture taken in front of an abandoned building on King Street.

Alfred took Ira fishing after our fun adventures downtown. He caught a stingray. It was very exciting.

Swimming with the stingray.

Eating his catch with Poppops.

Bed time with Big G before our long journey home.