Getting a Peek

Michelle and Miss Vivienne Pieper

Michelle invited us to come up to Nashville to go to her monthly Dr. appointment.  This month was the special one....it was ultra sound time!  Craig, Chuck and I all crowded in the little room and watched little Miss Vivienne moving around inside of Michelle.  It was a " first" for Chuck and I since we didn't get to experience an ultra sound with our two babies.  It confirmed that it was " a girl" that we all knew from the blood tests that Michelle had already had.  After the Dr appointment, we all walked around Centennial Park before going out for a late breakfast.  Then it was time for everyone to go back to work and home.  Everyone can't wait until we can hold little Miss Vivienne in our arms.  .....it will be here before we know it!

Rattlesnake Vist

Table/chairs under the canyon

Lookin for rattlesnakes!

One of the stops on the way home for the day was at the Rattlesnake Saloon.  It was a fun place that we found when Fred/Elaine were up one time.  It had been written up in Southern Living magazine and I had always wanted to go see it in person.  It's really impressive with all the table/chairs and a stage under this hug canyon.  It's suppose to be a very busy place come the weekends.  It would be a great place to have a wedding if ya wanted to wear your cowboy boots. There is even a place to " park" your horse.... ..ha

A Walk in the Park

Chuck and Cousin Terri

Man made waterfall

Many geese and ducks live in the pond

Petrified tree trunk  

After our visit at Helen Keller's we went for a nice walk around Spring Park.  Another place we  thought Cousin Terri might enjoy.  Next stop.....Rattlesnake Saloon!

A Visit with Helen Keller

Ivy Green 

Helen at the age of 18

Bronze statue that is also in Washington DC

Helen's clothes

Parlor with the Keller's furniture

Helen's childhood bed and desk

Chuck is sharpening his knife.

Cabin where Helen was born

The Ice House

" The Pump"

Our second full day with Cousin Terri we went over to Tuscumbia to see " Helen Keller".  That's another place that is fun to go to several times.  You learn something every time you visit her home.  It always makes you want to go home and watch " The Miracle Worker" again.

Cousins at the Cavern

Cousin Terri and Chuck

Entrance of the Cavern 

Beautiful sites inside 

Last week was " Cousin time"!  Chuck's cousin Terri from Boston came to see us for a few days.  It had been a few years since we saw her last and it was her first time in Alabama.  The first full day she was here, we went to Cathedral Caverns.  It's always a fun experience no matter how many times you go.  It's a good way to spend a couple of hours in the cool 55 degrees when it's 90 outside.

Union Civil War Quilt

Civil War quilts are really popular up here.  I have learned so much about the Civil War since we moved.  I knew " nothing"!  It's been fun learning and being able to go to some of the sites where the fighting took place.  It made me want to make a couple of Civil War quilts.  Number one is done.  It's the " Union Generals".  Yes, I have a panel with the Confederate Generals printed on it.  I have the quilt all planned out in my head.  I have a book called " Civil War Love Letters".  In the book, there are letters written by the soldiers to their love ones.  There are also pictures of different quilt blocks that were used in that time period .   I'm going to use that book to make my number two quilt.  You are suppose to name all your quilts that you make.  I haven't come up with a name for the Union one yet but the Confederate one will be called " Dixie  Love Letters".