Nashville and Tuscaloosa

We headed out today on a pretty important trip! We flew, along with my mom, to Nashville, TN so we could get to Justin's DNP graduation at the University of Alabama!! 

We have never been to Nashville or Tuscaloosa so we were all excited to head out on a new adventure. 

Here we are at the airport:

We arrived after a very long flight however both kiddos did great!
Here is my mom at the Nashville airport!

 My mom and Ellie cheesing it up while we wait for our rental car

What a motley crew!

We made the drive to Tuscaloosa and immediately headed out the the UA campus bookstore so Justin could pick up his graduation regalia. While he did this Ellie found her own source of entertainment.

 Silas tried on the hats at the bookstore

 Such a beautiful campus

 The next day Ellie and I headed out to graduation. It was pretty early in the morning and Silas was still asleep so my mom stayed with him at the hotel.

Site of graduation

Ellie was pretty psyched to see Justin graduate!

 It's official!

 Ellie and dada after graduation

 Ellie and mama

 Justin and I -- picture by Ellie

 Tryin' on the hat!

With that big momentous event behind us we set out back to Nashville to take in all the sights.

Grand Ole Opry

 

We barely made it in time for the show.

The line of traffic was so incredibly long and we got there just in the nick of time.

Silas was NEVER going to sit through it and so he and I walked around the grounds, took a bunch of pictures, and visited the mall across the street. My mom, Justin and Ellie took in the show and had a pretty good time. No one famous was there this time so it was a bit of a let down but a great experience nonetheless. My mom LOVED it so it was worth getting to take her there.  

 Silas and a really big guitar!

 Grounds around the Opry house
 

 View at night

After the show pics!

Today we headed to Memphis to check out Graceland and get a little Memphis BBQ

My mom super stoked!

 

When you get to Graceland - which is a very scary experience because it is in a really shady part of Memphis - you have to select what tour package you want and then board a shuttle to take you to the actual mansion. We made it just in time to catch a shuttle that was leaving however the driver was very upset that I had a stroller. As I was boarding he made me get off and stand outside the vehicle to let other people board. This was problematic because my mom, Justin and the kiddos were already on! Thankfully some kind souls advocated for me and the driver explained what he wanted me to do (put the stroller on after every one had boarded). I was thankful that there are still kind people in this world who are willing to help out. 

Silas and dada riding the shuttle to get to the Graceland mansion

My stroller drama was far from over....as we got to the door we were greeted by some employees who were explaining the 5 million rules before you can enter. I had to hand over the stroller, yet again, to be picked up at an unclear location (and they were so rude....I wasn't about to ask questions).  These workers were so apathetic about being here which really made me apathetic in turn...

The living room

 Pool Room

 Basement Lounge area

 Dining Room

 Ellie back at the living room

 Going to check out Elvis' rides...

Ellie and Ellie Mae

Grave site

A glimpse from the part of the museum which housed his most famous and recognized outfits

Ellie and Silas (and Justin) had enough Elvis for one day so my mom and I toured Elvis' private planes on our own.

After that we headed down into Memphis for some BBQ!!

 Ellie and Silas were TROOPERS - we spent a lot of time in the car and they really did pretty well. 

My mom might have a different story since she sat in the back with them :)

 

Here is Ellie with her trusty Iguy which kept her entertained for most of the trip

We stopped off at Arnold's Country Kitchen......So Delish!!

Back in Nashville we took Ellie to run off some energy at the Children's museum

Ellie Mae entertaining Silas

 What is Ellie Mae doing???

 Ellie and dada playing......Silas was napping!

Country Music Museum

Justin with his Idol

 Yeah it was cheesy but I just HAD to take this picture!

Costumes from "Hee Haw"!!

Ellie Mae and Ellie coloring

 Ellie and dada after we toured the museum

 Outside the Country Music Hall of Fame

A trip to a new town just wouldn't be complete without a cupcake stop.....
We found this little gem and the cupcakes were absolutely delicious!

 This was definitely a whirlwind trip. We covered many miles in few days, but it was so much fun getting to see a part of the country we have never been. I think we will head back one of these days! We were also glad that we got to take Ellie Mae with us so she could see Graceland and so I had an excuse to see it too :)