After the excitement of the Houston International Quilt Festival it was time to fly to Nashville for some family time and the true reason for my trip to the USA - my niece's wedding.
We had a good Kiwi contingent go over - 14 of us altogether (including a cousin who lives in the US but is still a kiwi at heart!). It has become our tradition for family weddings to gather together, sharing accommodation and spending time together. This week was no exception. My brother's daughters and their families/ hangers-on filled one Air BandB and just a few blocks away, Mum and I, two aunties and my cousin filled another house.
We spent a lot of time chatting, sightseeing, eating together and had a great time. I'm not going to go overboard with photos, just a few to give you a taste and then I'll be back to quilty and sewing stuff again :-)
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Our first big outing was down to Chatanooga to the Aquarium. It was really
good...took us all day to get through it (including a stop for lunch of course!)
so I didn't get a chance to go to the quilt shop there.... |
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| My photos from the aquarium weren't the best but oh well. |
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Back in Nashville, we visited the Parthenon.
(Built for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition). |
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Inside the Parthenon.
Gold leafed Athena. She's enormous, Nike in her hand is
over 6' tall! |
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Another day we visited the Grand Ole Oprey.
(Myself, two Aunties and a cousin.) |
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| Close by is the Gaylord Opreyland Motel. Beautiful. |
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| Us again in the gorgeous gardens within the hotel complex. |
The week culminated in the wedding, which was lovely.
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| I do believe Mum stole the show in her beautiful pink outfit! |
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| With my brother and his grandson (who also travelled from NZ). |
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| The Loveless Cafe |
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| The 'aftermatch' at my brother's the next day |
The last photos I took were of snow!! A cold snap hit the country on our last night. An aunt and I had lots of fun out in the snow in the early hours of the morning.... acting like "semi-tropical yokels" - a good description she came up with! (We get possibly 3-4 frosts here a year so it was a novel experience.)
It was cold, and still there the morning we left.
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| Where we stayed....it had snow! |
We all left Nashville at different times, Mum's only just arrived home and the last two of my nieces are about to leave after some extra travel and sightseeing.
It was a great trip away but, as always, it's great to be home again. I got the best welcome from the wee kiddies when I got home (a run into my arms welcome!) and the smallest ones needed a cuddle NOW!!
The MOML coped with the calves while I was away but was quite happy to hand them back to me.
And now it feels like I've been back forever!!
'til next time,
Happy stitches,
It definitely sounds like you had a wonderful adventure in the USA. I'm so happy you had the opportunity for this trip, including your visit to the amazing Houston Quilt Show. Thanks for sharing photos and insights too! I've enjoyed your posts about this amazing trip.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful you could all go to the wedding. I agree that your mum looked stunning, gone are the days when older ladies merged into the background. She looks a fun person. It is such fun to experience snow - hubby and I got up at 4.00am one time so we could play in the falling snow in Switzerland. Glad that you are back safe and sound with such lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely treat to have so many family members together on your trip. Looks like you had a great time, and yes, tell your Mum she looks wonderful in her outfit!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to enjoy your time in the US and the wedding and all the extra's! I think you have seen more of Nashville then I have :) so nice that so many of you came to visit and I bet it was a nice family reunion. So glad you got to experience the snow!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fantastic time Reawyn, your Mum looks stunning in her pink outfit. So good for all the family to get together for the wedding, and great it coincided with the quilt show!! Only takes a few days and you feel like you haven't been away at all doesn't it!!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say, I am glad you were semi tropical yokels and played in the snow!!
ReplyDeleteAn impressive trip..yes your mum is a showstopper!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have that time with family... and see some lovely places too..... and perfect welcoming back from the littlies...
ReplyDeleteHugz
What a lovely time you had with family in the US, but home is always a welcome sight!! Glad you had such a wonderful visit!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Raewyn for taking us on your visit to the US and allowing us to join you for your family wedding. Glad you got to catch up with all your family and got in some other sight seeing as well. It is always good to get home as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time with all the Kiwi family in the USA for the wedding..
ReplyDeleteYes Mum did look fabulous in her pink outfit....
Thanks for sharing and of course it is always nice to be home, especially for cuddles...
Sounds like you had a great time. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great family time you had and you and your Mum looked gorgeous! Very swish! Nice that you missed too lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat a special time you all had together, as well as visiting some fun places. The snow was a nice bonus at the end of your trip.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a wonderful time. What a special way to all get together.
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