Chattanooga Choo-Choo!

The David's in Chattanooga, TN.  I'm about 22 weeks preggers here.  It looks like we're ignoring Jack here but he absolutely did not want to be held.

We wanted to get out of Atlanta for a few days over Memorial Weekend so we took a last-minute trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is only about an hour and 45 minutes north of us.  It's a very family-friendly city with a lot of things to do for kids.  The city is very walkable with charming tree-lined streets, although Jack preferred to ride the free shuttles that run just about everywhere in town. There are also tons of great restaurants, shops and parks.  We took in all the sights but also took time to just relax and eat some really great food - can I just say yummo to Chat-town!  Our favorite meal was at Sticky Fingers where we feasted on ribs, brisket, mac n' cheese and FRIED corn on the cob....only in the south right?!

We went up on Friday morning and caught the most gorgeous weather all weekend, which was great because as we were leaving on Sunday it was beastly hot and has been that way ever since!  But the 2 days we were there were beautiful and we really had an awesome time just being together and exploring a new city.  As usual I took a lot of pics, and as a mom, I think all the pics of Jack are too precious to leave out.  So feel free to browse quickly....

First stop was the Tennessee Aquarium, which sits right on the lush and beautiful river walk...

Jack would NOT put his hand in the water to touch the stingrays...

They have a really awesome butterfly exhibit and at the end they let you hold one.  Daddy was first up...

When it was Jack's turn he wanted no part of it. Check out that face...

Look mom, almost 38 inches tall...

Not sure this photo does it justice, but Jack was so afraid of the sharks he was gripping my hair...

Next stop, Coolidge Park across the River.  We stopped here after getting classic homemade ice cream from Krumpies, a local hang-out...

A quick ride on the Carousel, which may I add was really fast.  Daddy and mommy got a little nauseous...

The park had this really fun water feature where all the neighborhood kids come to play.  In fact, there are water features all over the city and you can pretty much find kids in bathing suits (and some in just diapers - eek!) running around everywhere.  Had we known we would have brought his swim trunks but Jack didn't seem to mind...

Daddy didn't warn mommy when the water was coming on so Jack and I got partied.  It was hot out so it felt pretty good...

Next stop - the pool at the Marriott.  This was the very first day the pool was open so it was pretty frigid.  Christian was a total trooper and jumped right in.  I, of course, did not...

I can't believe the difference with Jack in just one year.  Last summer he was just starting to walk but now he was running all over the pool and insisted on getting in all by himself....

The next day we took a Duck Boat Tour, my first one ever...

Jack got to drive the boat...

Then all that excitement really wore him out and he slept for the second half of the tour...

The Trail of Tears Memorial. Jack didn't want to walk down alone at first...

But then he was a brave boy..

At the end of the waterfall, there's a small reflecting pool that overlooks the river.  I imagine whoever created this memorial, never intended it to be used as a swimming pool, but alas, the residents of Chattanooga have made it one. I must say it wasn't the cleanest looking water in the world but Jack really wanted to go in, so when in Rome...

Day two at the Marriott pool.  The sun had heated it up nicely so I was able to take a dip in my big mama maternity bathing suit...

Daddy took the plunge...

 Jack getting a little lift from Mommy...

And a BIG lift from Daddy...

Our final stop was the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel.  It was a very cheesy tourist trap but Jack loved being so close to the real trains...

May 28 was our 11 year "dating" anniversary.  We spent it eating pretty bad pizza aboard an old train.  But just being there together, with Jack, made it special.  It still amazes us how far we've come and what an  amazing journey it has been so far...

On Sunday morning we took one last walk around town before breakfast and saw this sign...

What a great little city...