Fountain Fun!

We decided to have a fun, family outing to downtown Knoxville on Saturday, August 28th. Our first stop was to play in the fountains at the World's Fair Park. We beat the crowd and got there earlier in the afternoon so many people were not there. Carter loved being able to run in and out of the water. He had a huge smile on his face the entire time we were there playing. After about 45 minutes, he was ready to go so we changed and headed to Market Square to cool off with a Rita's Gelato. YUMMY! They give out little sample cups and spoons so that you can try different flavors. Carter loves to use the little spoon and cup as his regular spoon and cup! It's so funny! He has to have a "poon" for both hands! I didn't get a shot of this but trust me... it's adorable! We had a wonderful time enjoying the nice weather and family time together! Here are a few shots from our fountain fun:

A Berry Good Time

Joe had to go back to work earlier than Courtney so she tried to find a few "end of summer" things to do with Carter. On Wednesday, July 28th, all the "cousins" met at the Fruit and Berry Farm to pick blueberries and have a fruit slushie (the most delicious treat!). Carter had such a good time being with his cousins and eating HANDFULS of blueberries at a time!

"I found one!"

Aunt Mandi filled Carter's bucket with several blueberries- he proceded to shove each one in his mouth!

Blueberry Chipmunk Cheeks!

Carter is swiping a few berries from Cousin Ainsley's and Cousin Ellie's bucket while Grammy watches on. They all thought it was so funny and gave him as many as he wanted!

A ride with all the cousins!

We decided to pick a few peaches so we rode in Uncle Aaron's truck. Carter thought this was the best thing ever! When everyone jumped out for peaches, he refused!

"Hey Sid, What do you say?"

"Whatcha wanna learn today?"

Courtney heard that "Sid the Science Kid" was visiting the Knoxville Zoo on Saturday, July 24th. For those of you who don't know or have forgotten, Carter absolutely loves Sid! He loves all the music on the show and loves dancing along to the songs. We were having family pictures made that morning but decided to go as soon as those were over so that Carter could see Sid. We got to the zoo a little before 11am and went directly to the Kids' Cove tent to wait in line for our chance to visit Sid (and Buddy from "Dinosaur Train"). We couldn't help but laugh at Carter when he first saw Sid. His face lit up and he yelled "A Sid, A Sid, A Sid" as loud as he could! We had to wait in line for quite a while so that the characters could take breaks from the heat. Fortunately the Barn Loft is located right beside the tent so Courtney took Carter to check out the owls, mice, rats, and a snake. When it was our turn to see Sid, Carter wouldn't stop giving him high-fives. It was too cute! Our camera started messing up (of all times!) so we didn't get as many good shots as we would have liked. We stayed at the zoo just to visit the giraffes and then went home. It was so hot and Carter was worn out from our busy morning.

Sid on his way to visit with fans!

Buddy and Sid

Carter was so excited to touch Sid!

Family Picture Time!

The Fruit and Berry Patch

On Wednesday, July 21st, we took Carter to The Fruit and Berry Patch in Halls. We had never been there before but had heard that you could pick your own fruit and buy various fresh items from the store. We were so excited to take Carter and let him pick his own blueberries! We met Farmer Fox at the "store" and he told us what to do. It was EXTREMELY hot and it was only 10am so we didn't know how long we would stay or how Carter would do. Carter did so well and lasted for about an hour! He loved being outside, eating fresh blueberries right off the vine (and sometimes the ones that had fallen on the ground!), and seeing all the animals. We only spent $7 and got tons of blueberries, a half gallon of cherry-apple cider, and a fresh peach fruit slushie! It was such a great experience for us and we plan on going back soon to pick more fruit (and have another delicious slushie!).

Ready to pick some blueberries!

Carter's Paradise- Blueberries as far as the eye could see!

We picked several blueberries in only about 10 minutes! Carter had none... because he kept eating the berries in his bucket!

As soon as a berry went into Carter's bucket, his hand reached in, grabbed it, and ate it!

Carter checking out Daddy's bucket filling up with blueberries (while he was sampling a few)!

It had rained the day before so there were still some wet spots. Leave it to Carter to find the mud and fall in it! He didn't mind- he just said "uh-oh!".

Carter loved yelling "maaaa" at the goats! They all ran straight for him when he made the noise. Joe and Carter fed some of the goats our blueberries. They loved them as much as Carter does!

When we were walking back to the car, Carter decided to take a break in the grass!

We had a worker take our picture before we headed home!

Carter and "Ge-Ge"

We decided to go to The Birmingham Zoo on Tuesday, July 13th before we left Alabama. We are so glad that we went! We had to best time! We have a giraffe statue at home and we call him "Geoffrey the Giraffe". Carter loves talking about "Ge-Ge" and pointing out a giraffe whenever he sees one in a book, on t.v., etc. At The Birmingham Zoo, you can get quite close to them. They even let you feed the giraffes (for $1 and only at certain times each day). Carter was so, so excited to see them so close. While we were there, we also saw a seal and several flamingos (animals that the Knoxville Zoo doesn't have). We also went on a train ride around the zoo before we left for our car ride home. Carter was so exhausted that he was asleep before we were even on the interstate!

Our Family Picture with "Ge-Ge"

Trying to get all the leaves off the tree! Crazy, huh?

Carter was trying to feed the giraffe a leaf! He saw them eating green leaves so he would pick up one, run over to the fence, and throw it as far as he could!

We had to wait a little while before it was feeding time for the giraffes so we went to the petting zoo area. Carter could have cared less about the goats! He just wanted to play with the "brooms"!

Daddy and Carter feeding the giraffe. Carter was just watching the entire time!

Carter finally decided to give it a try! We were so proud of him... and he was so proud of himself! After the giraffe ate the treat, he yelled "yea!" and clapped for himself! We are so glad that we had the video camera with us to capture this family outing!

Our little "ge-ge"

Carter was very curious about the flamingos (especially when they started screeching!). He started mimicking the noise!

We think this picture is just hilarious! It's like you can read his mind!

Riding the train- Choo! Choo!

All Aboard!

We had such a great time at the Birmingham Zoo! This will definitely be somewhere we go again!

A Visit to Alabama

After leaving Kentucky, we headed to Alabama to visit PawPaw and MawMaw (July 10th-13th). While we were there, we drove to see Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Mike, and Cousin Chase (and their new house) in Auburn. Chase has gotten so big since we saw him last! Carter loved to give the "baby" kisses. We can't wait to watch these little guys grow up together and get into everythying! We had a great time visiting and can't wait to see everyone again!

Cousin Chase

Carter loves his cousin!

Two adorable little men!

MawMaw with the boys

Aunt Elizabeth, Chase, and PawPaw hanging out on the deck

Aunt Elizabeth with Chase and Carter with Daddy

Chuck E. Cheese's

While in Kentucky, we took Carter to Chuck E. Cheese's for the first time. We weren't sure how he would do but he loved it! We went on Friday night (July 9th) for dinner. He ate well and also enjoyed watching the "show". There was so much to see that he didn't know what to focus on!

Carter and Mommy posed with Chuck E. Cheese

Can you tell that he is enjoying himself?

Dancing along with Chuck E. Cheese

After we ate, it was time for some games! Carter drove this little car several times.

He liked to sit on the horse but once the "ride" started, he was finished!

Courtney's favorite game is skee-ball! We let Carter give it a try!

He got frustrated that the ball kept rolling back so he climbed up onto the game! Yikes!

Daddy playing skee-ball with Carter!

Carter and Grandaddy with Carter's prize- A blow-up hammer!