This was our first full summer in our new home in Tennessee.  Many family and friends back in the Northwest ask us about the weather in our part of the country.  We absolutely LOVE it!   Outside of work, we are in shorts and flip flops most of the time, seven months out of the year!  There is humidity, but it's only really bad a few weeks out of the year.     

My mom and dad were able to drive out and visit for about two weeks over the July 4th holiday.  It was certainly toasty warm - low to mid 90's with some humidity.  I know they don't care for that type of heat, but they seemed to get by with the help of air conditioning.  I was able to take a week off from work and enjoyed the time sharing the local area with them.  I've become very familiar with the civil war battles in the area and was able to take them to many of those battle fields, historic homesteads and monuments; such as where Meriwether Lewis died and US President Andrew Jackson home ~ The Hermitage.  We also visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, and took in lunch at one of the honky tonks downtown.

One day we drove to Chattanooga, TN to take in the popular Tennessee Aquarium and to ride the incline railroad train up the mountain (72.7% grade) that overlooks the city.  Originally built in 1895, it is billed as one of the worlds steepest passenger railway.

Another evening we took my folks to the Hollister's favorite local Mexican restaurant, Chuy's, and then to the Grand Ole Opry, where we saw Carrie Underwood in concert! 

Since the wards recent split last April, we had been short handed in Aaronic Priesthood to pass the sacrament.  So, the Deacons Quorum President, Ryan, invited myself and Grandpa to join in passing the sacrament.  It was a great experience for the three of us to participate in this ordinance together.

We all recognize that it's a very long haul from the Pacific NW, to Spring Hill, TN. (2,391 miles actually)  We really appreciate the fact that mom and dad would make the journey this way to visit.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the quality family time we had with them! 

SH