Walkin' In Memphis

A month ago we flew to Memphis to visit my parents. We started off the visit by Grant doing a little trimming on the front yard tree, then finishing it off with a little tar.

Then we went to the Zoo. I've been telling Grant for years how awesome the Memphis Zoo is. He's been skeptical, but I think he was pretty impressed.

Lydia was G&G Brady's buddy the whole time.

Rhett was happy and pleasant the whole time, as always. We've really lucked out with great, easy-going kids so far.

Family picture on a cow. ha ha.

I love all of our faces here. So funny. You can so tell Rhett is DONE with that cow business.

You think Lydia was a bit tired?

Grant loved watching the bears fight it out in the water. Imagine seeing that in the wild. Scary!

Rhett the orangutan.

These ginormous statues are outside the entrance to the zoo. There's probably about 8 of them, and I remember climbing on them all the time as kids. Now, there are plaques posted on all of them saying "Do Not Climb on Animals". Lame, spoiled all our fun.

The next day we all headed to Missouri to visit my brother and his family in Jackson. We stopped for lunch at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, MO. It's pretty famous, people come from all over to go there, and they even have bus and RV parking for big traveling groups! There is ALWAYS a huge line, but thankfully it moves fast.

Before the Memphis Temple was built, the youth in the ward would do road trips to St. Louis to do baptisms. We would always stop at Lambert's to eat. It's such a fun place! It's got all the southern foods you can imagine. When you walk in there's someone playing ragtime music on the piano and the whole place is decorated with pictures, license plates, flags, etc. You get your drink in this ginormous mug (see picture), you order your entree, then there's servers that walk around offering sides like black-eyed-peas, fried okra, hush puppies, even molasses! The best part, though, is the roll guy. He has a rolling cart with trays of hot fresh rolls, and he shouts "hot rolls!" from across the room, and if you want one, you just raise your hand and he throws it to you! Grant loved the atmosphere and all the quirkiness of the place, and I loved sharing my childhood memories with him. Rhett even caught a roll! It was meant for another table, but the guy must need to brush up on his aim, because it landed right in Rhett's high chair. It shook him up a little bit, but he toughed it out. :)

Lydia loved playing with her cousins. She was so sad when it was time to head back to Memphis that evening.

Ginessee, Billie, Lydia, and Darcy.

We had a fun time visiting with my brother's family and seeing where he worked, and where they live. The trip was far too short, though. I wish we could have stayed a few more days and played more with my parents. I loved going home--it made me miss all the huge trees, the smell of honeysuckle, squirrels (Grant is always shocked when we go and thinks they are mammoth!) and birds all over in the yard, old friends, and most of all my parents. Good thing we've got lots of family reunions this summer so we can see them soon!