These boots were made for walking.

Shaun was able to take two weeks off before he left last Monday for his 7 week E7 course. We spent one week of it camping and touring Graceland and the Mammoth Cave. The first place we camped at was Chewalla Lake, Mississippi. After a 6 hour drive we were glad to find out that this place was gorgeous, with a kids playground, showers, even a sandy beach. Alas, it was too good to be true. While I was in the tent changing into a swimsuit I noticed a few bugs crawling up my legs and my clothes. I wasn't sure, but Shaun confirmed that we were in for a Tick infestation. Let me tell you, I was bugged about having to deal with ticks. Hate 'em. Shaun, being the wonderful husband he is, offered to take us all to a hotel. I knew how much it meant to him for us to camp out so I said no we'll stick it out.

Take notice where Ian is. Now picture this: Sushi(our dog) ran into the water and started swimming around. Ian saw how excited Sushi was and wanted to join her. He kept walking right out into the deep end and was underwater with his eyes open frantically splashing around. I yelled out to Shaun cause he was closer, and pulled him out. I tell you, oh man did that scare the life out of me seeing that.

here he is all wet after the incident.

There was enough time before dark for us to swim for bit. The water was a bit cold, and apparently had some broken glass or something sharp enough for Isabel to get a very deep cut in her big toe. Thank goodness I restocked our First Aid kit before we left home.

The kids loved camping out. Especially Ian! That boy was all over the place exploring, digging, collecting rocks, climbing, everything.

When it was dark there where some crazy looking bugs that I've never seen before that came flocking towards our light. I really do like camping, I just don't like the bugs.

We got some breakfast in before we headed off to Graceland that was only 45 min. away.

Graceland had a setup of five different Museums that you could go through. All with different themes. There was a movie theme, Elvis's Automobile, his airplane, the Mansion, and the army theme. There was so cool stuff, but some weird stuff too. Elvis sure had style.

Loved this pink Cadillac. It said in the museum that Elvis loved to buy cars, but was well known for his generosity because he would end up giving them away to family, friends, even coworkers.

Add a wig and he would be Elvis.

The airplanes were AWESOME! So awesome I completely forgot to take pictures of the inside. The bathrooms had 24 karat gold flake sink! It was all decked out in 60's retro colors, and totally amazing.

At the Mansion. You walk through with headphones as your audio guide. Very informative, and some crazily kooky rooms. No flash allowed inside, so some of the pictures aren't very good.

Front room.

Downstairs T.V. room. Completely yellow, with his signature lighting bolt which means TCB, taking care of business.

This was his gym/racquetball court that the museum turned into an award room.

This suit is one of my favorite because its the same picture as the one tattooed on Shaun's back.

They are both hunks, but my love will always burn for my husband.

In case you didn't get the play on words I used "a hunk a hunk of burning love" song by Elvis as my inspiration.

This was all Izzy's idea to pose like this. She is so adorable.

After Graceland we decided to check out this place called Mud Island. It didn't exist back in the 1800's, but formed over time accumulating enough 'mud' to form the island it is today.

When we got there there was an exact replica of the entire Mississippi River in concrete. We found out later that the whole thing normally has water running through it, but it was being worked on.

Shaun wanted me to put "Dam".

This is me in front of the state I was born in.

Shaun is always making me laugh.

This is Shaun in front of the state he was born in.

Along the replica there would be cities that look like a grid map. This is Memphis, TN and we put the family around Graceland, which is that square by Izzy's hand.

This is Sun Studio, a very famous recording studio. Also where Elvis started.

Its the next morning and we are packing up and on our way to Mammoth Caves, KY. The first night we camped here we figured Ian could sleep in one of our sleeping bags with us, BAD IDEA. He is a roller, so we bought him this Wall-E sleeping bag. Isabel loved it so much we gave Ian her bag and Ian still end up in my sleeping bag. What can you do, but just deal with it. I hardly got any sleep the entire trip.

We arrived at Mammoth Cave Park 5 hours later. Set up at this beautiful campsite, with fabulous anmeties. I didn't take very many pictures during this part of our trip because we dropped our camera and the button to take a picture came off. You can still take pictures, just not very well. This is the following day on our way to the cave to take a tour through the place. Some very fascinating history with the caves. A conninving devious man is part of the history.
Have you ever walked into a cave by means of a concrete doorway? Crazy!

The metal stairs were built by a guy who built submarines, they were pretty cool.

Our Ranger guide was pretty funny. When we came to a big cavern with benches we sat down and listened as he told us the history of the place. Towards the end he turned off the lights so we could get an idea of how dark and scary it was. Ian hid his face in my neck when that happened. Before the Ranger turned back on the lights he said "Raise your hands if you want me to turn the lights back on". I thought that was pretty funny.

We would have more pictures of a place called the Lost Caves, which is an underground river tour, all on a boat! They closed the entrance though when we got there because the rain from the previous night raised the river too high to get a boat in. Shaun was super bummed out. I should mention that our night camping out in Mammoth Cave Park was intense. Towards midnight a fierce lightning and thunder storm rolled over followed by drenching rain. You know how you can count in between the lightening flash and the thunder boom to estimate how far away it is? Well I could only count up to 3, thats how close it was. We woke up to water puddles all around our tent. Instead of staying another night like we planned we packed up and head home. I had a memorable time. Some fun, some intense, but very blessed to have such a wonderful family to share it all with.

By the way, I was stilling pulling ticks off the dog and Isabel only a few days ago.