Spring Vacation 2008 Part 1: Tennessee Aquarium

Every now and then we try to take a "mini-vacation" just to prevent ourselves from getting burned out from our daily routines. This time we decided to go to Chattanooga for a short weekend getaway. We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and activities their downtown area had to offer. Best of all, we were able to take Julianna to see and ride Thomas the Train! It was her first Day Out with Thomas ever, and for this one special day, our little princess put away her tiara and gown and became a junior engineer for Thomas. I will be sharing this wonderful weekend in 3 different parts, just because I am not sure I will have enough time tonight to finish writing about our short but fruitful weekend.

We're here! Just arrived in Chattanooga!
Very Happy and Excited Julianna!!!
Julianna at the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn
On the way to our hotel room

Part 1: Tennessee Aquarium (April 26, 2008)


This was our second time to visit the Tennessee Aquarium but we enjoyed it more than we ever did the last time. We came in the Fall the last time we were here, and didn't really enjoy the riverfront like we did yesterday. The Ocean Journey building also had a new exhibit. They had penguins on exhibit for the first time. The penguins were so much fun to watch. Julianna also just had to go back to their butterfly exhibit. She absolutely loves being with the butterflies.

Jeff and Julianna at the Butterfly Exhibit

Julianna's pretty butterfly

Mommy and Baby goofing off at the Penguin Exhibit

It was very hard to take decent pictures of the penguins as the flash would reflect off of the glass and make the pictures either dark or blurry. I took mostly short video clips of the penguins. Below is a precious one of Julianna and a very friendly penguin...

Julianna also had fun playing outside the Aquarium. They had fountains and a water play area for the children. We also stopped by a nearby Ben and Jerry's and enjoyed the beautiful downtown and riverfront scenery while enjoying our ice cream. It was a truly a wonderful retreat from busy Nashville!

With Monica and Yigo outside of the Aquarium

Having fun at the water play area outside the Aquarium

Nona, Julianna and Alex at the riverfront

Coming up soon will be our adventures at the Creative Discovery Museum (Part 2) and Day Out with Thomas (Part 3)...I hope to be able to post an entry tomorrow, but if not it will definitely be online before this coming weekend.