Day One and Two of Fall Break

Day 1-  We had glorious plans of going to the Falls of the Ohio, but the mucho rain over the weekend flooded our ideas. We will try next week.

Day 2- Off to the sunny skies, salt water and fun adventures.

We are headed off to our first leg of our trip. This is the first time we have had a big family vacation and the kids are super pumped. The final destination is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Lots of smiles and giggles and an eagerness to be off. Pretty good for us at 9:30a

With a few stops to make we made it into Chattanooga, TN around 4p. Our destination for the rest of the day was the Tennessee Aquarium. When I told Corbin that we were going to an aquarium on vacation to see real sharks, he about flipped he was so excited.

There were two parts to the aquarium; the river building, and the ocean building. We also fit in an IMAX show of sharks.

Matt argued and argued about packing the big bulky stroller into the packed van but I won out and later on vacation he said how thankful he was that he had listened to me.

Everyone had such fun. The kids enjoyed the aquarium way more than I thought.

Here's a funny mom, home school style moment. Right behind where the kids are in the tank were these turtles, they were riding piggy back and bouncing along the water floor. Totally without thinking I was like, "Hey kids look at this!" Matt laughing behind me and the kids being too drawn to whatever they were looking at, I was mercifully relieved to know they did not notice the turtles mating at the bottom of the water. But honestly how could they know! I didn't even know. :)

Corbin was thrilled to death to be able to touch any creature they would let him. In this tank he nearly leaned in up to his head trying to touch some river fish. I believe they were catfish.

Now we enter the Ocean house. Beautiful colors were all around.

I was too busy touching the sting rays and other fish in the next tank and helping Aiden to reach in that I forgot to take pics. There was even a small shark that would swim by if you were brave enough to touch him. We spent quite a bit of time here. Matt and Corbin both touched the shark.

They also had a butterfly house at the top of this building.

This is where Addie ooowwed and aaawwweed.

Very pretty butterflies everywhere.

Aiden did great in his stroller and loved taking in all the creatures that we saw.

We took a break to catch the last IMAX show. Sharks was very large and in your face (3D show). Thankfully it wasn't a scary film as we were to be in the ocean the next day, but it turned out to be a bit over the kids head. very much a documentary style with lots of information. Aiden fell asleep right away.

To finish the Ocean Building I have a little penguin wanna be.

This little guy loved being right there up front with Corbin. He followed Corbin up and down the glass wherever he went.

Here is a shark cage. Where you would observe sharks from the inside while they swim around you.

They had several large sharks in the large tank. I would say they were 6-8 foot long.

A giant sea crab. Talk about your snow crab legs.

This was my favorite exhibit. I love watching the jellies float in the tanks.

What a great family day.

Right at the end you walk under the giant shark tank and its real dark and glows this blue green all around. Addie spontaneously sat in this corner and began praying to God. It was so sweet. Her in her four year old self felt this a holy time and wanted to pray. Such a tender heart.

Right before we had gotten onto the highway in Corydon when we were leaving, Addie looks up to the sky and says bye God we are going on vacation and that she would miss Him. It made me chuckle a little. I said Addie God knows where we are going and he is going with us. He is always with us. So cute how kids think.

Walking out of the Aquarium late we were right downtown and in a perfect place to find dinner. We landed at the Mellow Mushroom. I know we have one in Louisville, but Matt nor I had ever been to one. Great food and great place for kids.

We ended our perfect day at the Comfort Suites Hotel. Off to the beach in the morning.