Visiting the Tennessee Aquarium

Megan and I managed another trip to the Tennessee Aquarium in the middle of June.  We enjoyed a much quieter visit than the time before when it was so crowded that we seriously considered leaving.

We were amazed by God's creation.  The creatures of the water are so graceful and awesome to watch.

Despite the expressions, Kyle and Sophia were happy to get to hold butterflies.

All the kiddos in front of one of the large tanks.

Mercy loves turtles.  This one stopped to take a look at her.  She was delighted!

Kyle loves to climb signs and poles.  

After walking through the aquariums, we let the kids play in the water.  They had a wonderful time!  I did not get many pictures since I was watching over Patrick. 

Project 366: Week 12

It just struck me that this year's photo project should be a 366 as it is leap year.  Yes, I am that slow sometimes!  But anyway, I have been taking pictures, though I haven't uploaded some in a while.  This post is for March 20 - 26.

Sunday: As is common, I didn't take any pictures on Sunday.  We haven't been to church as a family in weeks because of Kyle's asthma.  I am thankful for the streaming audio and video of the service.  It is nice to feel at least a part of the service even if we can't be there.
I took this picture of Keira at the chiropractor.  He has a really pretty garden behind the building and we enjoy walking through it when we go to see the chiropractor.

Monday:  Since we left a bit early for our chiropractor appointment, Keira and I stopped to read the historical marker in downtown Lawrenceville.  I am thankful for learning new things and finding interesting places.  I wish it was easier to find these markers so that we could learn even more interesting facts about places near us.  (You can click on the picture to actually read about Major William Simmons.)

Tuesday:  I took all the kids to Keira's horseback riding lesson as my mom was helping my older sister.  It was a gorgeous day!  Patrick enjoyed crawling around in the dirt and playing with sticks.  I am thankful for my happy boy!

Wednesday: I am thankful for easy and fun ways to decorate my house!  I found this idea on pinterest and finally got around making it.  Though this wreath is a bit small for our door, I love the color it adds.

Thursday: After school, Patrick crawled to the top of the driveway to watch the neighbor's lawncare people work.  He loves anything that makes noise and the louder the better!  I have several pictures of Keira and Patrick watching the lawn mower, but I love the expression on his face in this one!
I am thankful for God's protection on the roads.  As we drove home from school, on March 24, we partially witnessed a terrible motorcycle accident.  All it takes is one instant to go from being alive in this world, to being in the presence of God.

Friday: Megan and I took all the kids to the Tennessee Aquarium.  I loved this little terrarium with the fog over the water and the little salamander under the water.  I am thankful for field trips with my sister and her kids.  She helps the craziness of taking kids anywhere a bit easier!

Saturday: I forgot to take a picture on Saturday.  It was a very busy day!  I went to a baby shower and then visited my sister at the hospital.  (She had some complications from a surgery earlier in the week.)  I am thankful for all of these kids!  They are mostly well behaved when we go out together, and they love being together!

Tennessee Aquarium: the Random

As is typical, I took some unusual pictures. 

I still remember the words on the wall of the aquarium from when I went many years ago.  I was determined to get a picture of those words before I left.  It was much harder than I imagined as the lighting was very low.

Little known fact: I love turtles.  Probably more accurately, I love artistic turtles.  These were cute turtles!

Little fish make up a bigger fish!

The Chattanooga Choo-Choo

Near the butterfly room inside the Ocean Experience were many different orchids.  I didn't know that I liked orchids until we visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden during their Orchid Daze.  These are spectacular plants!  They show God's attention to detail in their intricate design.  Just amazing!

These little flowers are not orchids (obviously).  They were inside the butterfly room, and I just thought they were pretty.

And just a little more randomness from outside the aquarium.

Tennessee Aquarium: the Animals

It has probably been 15 years or more since I went to the Tennessee Aquarium.  At that time, they only had one building.  I remembered the sloping walkway pasted the huge tanks and the fish names written on the wall in the shape of fish.

The first exhibit was of seahorses.  We enjoyed seeing the many different kinds!

These were tiny!

Adrian likes the otters best because they are so playful.

The view from under the waterfall.

An albino alligator.

We got to see a baby alligator snapping turtle up close.

We enjoyed watching the scuba diver feed the fish.  Interestingly, the man's niece and nephew were there to watch him.  We talked with them a bit about the aquarium and what they liked best about it.

This butterfly has translucent wings!

These butterflies have big eye spots on the outside of their wings and the coloring blends into the woods.  When they fly, the inside of their wings are a beautiful and surprising purple.

Kyle's favorite animal is the penquin.  He was so excited to get to see them in person!  These little penquins are walking around with their wings out to help cool themselves.

The jellyfish are absolutely breathtaking!  They look so ethereal, but can cause such pain.  I am amazed at God's delicate handiwork in these scary and beautiful creatures!