Tennessee at Dryer Times

The famous stairway created from Gone With The Wind still exists

The back of the stairway and the hallway for most of the restaurants now as some were moved here...as you see Fuse on the right it will no longer exist but will soon be a gigantic sports bar bigger than any other.

One of our guides showing us one of the many new touch screen maps/etc that will give you a map of the grounds, places to eat as well as the menus of the places, local area sites and much more...so cool. There will also be small touch screens able to play full length movies at the entrance to each and every conference room. Awesome

This entire area and hallway and rooms have been redone as it was completely under water....if you look over the shoulder of the lady with the green shirt on the left you can see one of the small touch screens I mentioned. And we have not seen but have been told that each conference room also now has the most up to date electronic equipment

This is the river for the boat ride and if you look closely it is kind of hard to see but you can see the red mark on the left white pole of how high the flood was.

The waterline on the trees of how high the water was

If you look close you can see the tree waterline showing you the cars were completely under water

In the check in area now to be less cluttered the new glass sculpture ...along with the new glass ceiling in the next photo were beautiful and created to represent new life.

These pics do not do any of the changes justice

Just two of the many lovely water falls that were once hidden behind the rotating bar that no longer exists.....fyi the woman was just a fellow tourist in the group

Another fountain area where the water jumps from area to area...in the background on the left is where the rotating bar used to be that is now a sitting area where you can get hors devours and drinks and play on your laptop.

Just a quick shot of the rooms from inside the gardens...the top area where there are glass windows instead of balcony's are suites way to big to even think about staying there or should I say you will want to stay there and never leave.

Us taking the boat ride to view changes from another angle.

The Famous gigantic chandelier and fountain still exist also

This is the largest suite/Presidential Suite that cost just a few THOUSAND DOLLARS a night to stay in. From what we are told many famous people have stayed there

The widely known Dancing Fountain is yet another awesome site to see still in existance

Just one of the many beautiful garden areas that look untouched but have been through so much

The waterfall you can walk under...yep..still there

Mommy and her baby girl sitting by the walk under fall

Back at our Balcony...Can you say Brain Freeze?!?

Well I am sorry it took me so long but life does go on and stays busy around here. Our free Tennessee trip was awesome. The reception unbelievable not to mention the tour guides and the beautiful changes that had to be made. I was a very emotional day for everyone just one year ago when the Opryland Hotel took a beating and was flooded, the Opry Mills Mall went totally under water and the many residents that live there had their lives changed forever. Even though the Mall has yet to recover....Today was another emotional day of remembering, remembering all the help there was and how quickly help arrived to recover and help the people of Tennessee. Remembering the day brought back memories as well as a bright future for all the wonderful changes that have now been made. At the reception there was so much finger food continually coming as well as drinks all on their dime. They welcomed us all back with honors and a free group photo to boot. The next day was the tour of the Hotel showing where the damage was and how it is now new an improved. Later that night we also had free tickets to the Grand Ole' Opry as fabulous that was and I am sure the show was unbelievable we decided to pass and have fun with Mikayla instead. The Gardens never looked so beautiful and calm this day just relaxing and enjoying every minute of the weekend. Maybe one day each of you will get your chance to visit and enjoy this awesome place....blessings to all. AJ

School District Fair!!!

Getting fitted for her new Helmet

Hanging out in the back of the Big Fire Truck was really high up

She really enjoyed driving the big truck

All the kids went to sit in the seats in the back of the bus Mikayla went straight to the drivers seat...the Bus Driver had a good laugh

She loves driving...she will probably drive like her momma

We had a blast at the fair as you can see. There was plenty to do but mommy was not in picture taking mode so this is it for the fair.....have no fear we are going to be off to Nashville really soon so there will be some pics from there coming soon. I know Mikayla is excited to be traveling but I speak for myself when I say I am very excited to see all that is changed from the flooding that sent us to this journey now. This is a free trip on Opryland to bring us back since we were there when it flooded. I can not wait to see and hear on the tour what all has changed and I hope to also visit the mall to see what is changed there also. Wish us luck and pray that all this rain did not effect and will not effect them as we are there this time. Talk to you all again soon. Blessings, AJ

Happy Easter...He Is Risen!!!!

The cute napkin holders Mikayla helped me make

The holders in action :0)

New this year Carrots with surprises inside

Basket of Carrots

I am the real Easter Bunny

You know its really me not Jake...wink wink

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!

Coming home to start the hunt pretty in pink!

First egg found this year.

The loudest talking egg this year....I wonder why??

Unwrapping her carrots

There sounds like there is something in there!!!

Easter has come quickly. The yard was a disaster with the continuing storms daily. We are still here and not blown away yet but they are promising some more severe stuff tonight. The airport just a short distance from us took a beating but last I heard today they had power back and are 70% functioning. I am just glad we were not on a plane when it happened like many people were. For Easter we let Mikayla do her hunt indoors. Mikayla and I got the craft decorations for the table done way ahead and then the carrots I did Friday night that was interesting to say the least when I was soooo tired. The eggs got done last night and were ready to go on Sunday. We had the famous talking eggs that drove the boys crazy. Normally they are not in the same area as them, but stuck inside where it was dry they had no where to hide from them. Of course the boys did help Mikayla a bit finding them. After the eggs she unwrapped her carrots...this was new, interesting and fun for her. Needless to say she racked in the goodies and had no complaints. I must say I truly believe she had a fun filled Easter. She even got to play bunny toss with mommy and daddy later in the day. Now I guess it is up to Daddy and Mikayla to do some crafts, be romantic, sweet or sentimental for Mommy, for Mommy's Day. Good Luck Daddy!!! :-)

The Talking Eggs
Unwrapping her carrots

Happy Birthday Little One!!!

The traditional Birthday 3' Balloon

Of course she had to have some smaller ones too

Hanging in the Clubhouse with Aunt Deb

Tea Anyone????

Being goofy with Grandma J and Deb

Do You have Ants in Your Pants?????

Can't forget the boys...here playing sardine

The fun Crayola markers with board and sound

Her new Sand toys from Grandma J

The new talking Baby Doll from Grandma

Her fav from Aunt Georgette, a Clifford Sprinkler

When your with Aunt Georgette you got to be cool!!!

With Abbey and Joey at McDonalds its the Burger Queen

Abbey and Joey opening gifts

Her Bubble blower from Abbey and Joey

Anyone hungry she is ready to cook up a storm

Her new truck for the sandbox....she can't wait to get in it

Her fav from mom and dad the leapfrog camera attachment Ok this is the fav from mom and dad, excuse me! Blowing out her first candles herself

The puppet animals from Aunt Ellen

April 10th was Mikayla's birthday. On April 2nd to the 5th she had her Aunt Deb and Grandma J visit and play with her and give her gifts. This was the begining of her birthday. They played in her clubhouse and played games all day every day. We got to the mall and she rode the train with Aunt Deb and the carousel with Grandma J. She was in Heaven the whole visit. She got some awesome Crayola markers and stuff she loves using along with some sand toys that are being played with inside until mommy and daddy get the pink and blue sand she got for her birthday in the sandbox. While they were here she received her new talking baby doll from Grandma which also kept her busy. Once Grandma J and Deb went home shortly after, she received her box in the mail from Aunt Georgette and soon after that, it was time to party on Sunday, April 10th. After Church she came home to Daddy and her 3 foot balloon with her name on it, then we napped and got ready for Abbey and Joey's party. Abbey shares her birthday with Mikayla as well as Mikayla's Cousin Alexis. Both Alexis and Abbey turned 4 on the 10th while Mikayla turned 3 years old. Joey, Abbey's brothers birthday is today I believe and he is now 6 years old. Abbey and Joey celebrated their birthday with family and friends at McDonald's together. Mikayla loved eating all the food and was more willing to play a little bit after eating. Once their party was over it was time for her Birthday. We opened the gifts we got from McDonald's and from Abbey and Joey. She got an awesome apron and chef hat set from them that she just had to use immediately in her kitchen, cooking me up some really hot eggs she had to use the new pot holders for. Then it was outside we went as she carried around her new no spill bubble tumbler the rest of the day until Daddy came home from work. Once Daddy was home she opened her Crayola Bubbles of every color complete with gun blower, along with her sand dump truck and other sand toys. Her favorite though was her new Leapfrog Camera Attachment only until the Ice Cream Cake was brought out. She blew out her very first candles all by herself. Today, Monday she has been cooking and taking pictures of everything she can. I think she had a great Birthday. When we asked her last night what her favorite part of the day was she replied her Ice Cream Cake of course. Ending her birthday today she had Aunt Ellen come by and play for a short time and give her some new puppet toys to play with. So she is loaded with a bunch of new toys for the moment all until The Easter Bunny arrives when she will be on to a new set of stuff to enjoy. Happy Easter ! He is Risen!!!