Becoming "country-fied" in Nashville

We had the MOST amazing vacation this past month. We took a road trip to Nashville Tennessee...and we fell in love.

We went to stay with one of my college roommates, Carrie Haslam. I met her and her husband Jason during our freshman year at BYU, (well...he wasn't her husband then), and we have kept in touch all these years and see each other when we can. Jason just started practicing as an orthopedic surgeon in Nashville about 4 years ago, and we hadn't been to see them since they lived there. I am SO GLAD that we decided to go. We loved everything about Nashville and Carrie made the week amazing.
I took SO many pictures (I know...big surprise), and I can't stand leaving them all out...so I'm not going to. Carrie treated us to so many fun things, was the most amazing host, and we loved being in her home.

Downtown fun

Carrie and Jason's house. They live in Brentwood in such a lovely area

The view from the Natchez Trail Bridge.

Above...my kids feeling "a little bit country" during my "nashville photoshoot", and below, Carrie's darling youngest daughter, Emme.

The whole trip was so amazing. Some of my favorite random things about this trip are:

The night at the Blue bird Cafe (where the songwriters come to perform their songs). All the yummy food that Carrie's mom baked for us. Long talks with my college roommate. Watching the kids enjoy themselves so much. The drives through the beautiful country side. Seeing my husband turn into a country music fan...and just being together as a family. I have documented most of this trip in photos (as follows), what else is new.

CMA Music Festival...rain or shine

Before we went to Nashville, Kinsey and I were starting to get into country music a little, but there is nothing like being in Nashville, and seeing the music performed live...to convert you to a country music fan. Even John if you can believe it. Carrie was so sweet and she treated us to a night at the CMA country music festival. So lucky we were in town this week. It is a huge 4 night event where the artists come and perform for their fans. So fun to be a part of that.
You walk over this cool pedestrian bridge to get to the stadium. Beautiful views of the city.

Here we are, enjoying our night...excited to have just heard our first couple sets (Brooks and Dunn and Reba), when all of a sudden...we hear some thunder. No big deal...right. It seemed very far away.

Well...I guess it was a big deal because they made us CLEAR THE STADIUM FOR THE STORM. I couldn't believe it. I guess it was heading our way and they had to get people under cover. We were assured that the storm would pass in no time at all.

Well...not quite true. We were trapped in the halls of the stadium for two and a half hours. Not being able to go back to our seats, and not wanting to walk across that HUGE METAL BRIDGE in a full fledged lightning storm to our car. CRAZY. Just when we thought we could make a break for the car...and we thought the artists had gone home...they called us back in. Yes...at midnight.

But SO WORTH IT. We lost a few of the performers, but still saw Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish guy...gone country...he is actually really good), and Dirks Bentley. What a show they all put on. It was just amazing and so fun to be a part of it. Even with our little hiccup. Good thing we aren't claustrophobic.

Plantation Fun

There is so much history in Nashville. We just loved visiting two plantations that were close to Carrie's home. Travelers Rest, and Carnton Plantation. Both of these had significant roles in the Civil War, and I loved learning about that. And besides the history...they are just so "PRETTY". I love anything with some interesting architecture and beautiful grounds. I could have taken pictures at these places all day.

My kids and Carrie's...hanging on the front porch...having a "southern" afternoon. Notice...no two year olds. Carrie's mom was always to sweet to keep Cooper and Emme when we went on our outings. They got their naps, and we got our siteseeing. Works for everyone.