Busy Part II

Two days after our trip to Utah, my college roommate and friend Kimberly Hughey and her boyfriend Matt came to visit us.  Hayden and I picked them up Friday afternoon and took them to The Varsity, which is very greasy fast food, but a historic Georgia landmark.  We didn't waste any time getting right down to business, so we went to the Georgia Aquarium.  It was actually the perfect time to go (despite it being right during Hayden's nap) because it was not yet crowded for Memorial Day Weekend.  It was such a great activity for all of us to enjoy.  Hayden loves saying "fishy" and she got to say it a lot here!  We also went to the dolphin show which was really amazing.  Hayden clapped every single time they jumped out of the water and gasped in astonishment.  At one point in the show they said, "reach your arms in the air to bring forth the dolphins" and she was the first to have her hands in the air, it was pretty funny!

 Hayden thought being up close and personal with the penguins was great, she didn't want to leave!

  Here is Hayden touching some "fishies"  

The next day Paul was able to join us and we took them to Marietta square.  In the south all of the towns have a square and Marietta's is a fun one.  It was also the farmer's market so we were able to walk around the square and market.  Then we went to the Marietta Diner which has been featured on Food Network for their huge menu and good food, although I wasn't to impressed with my food selection.  They're desserts are what they are famous for and we were all too full, so we'll have to go back another time.

That night we got a babysitter for Hayden and we went out to a hip little restaurant in Atlanta called Two Urban Licks.  It is rated #2 for best eats in Atlanta.  The restaurant did not disappoint, the food and atmosphere were amazing!

 Sunday is always a tricky day for Mormons.  They are not Mormon so I did not want to subject them to a full day of keeping the Sabbath.  So Paul and I went to sacrament meeting and came home to visit with them.  I tried to find an activity that would be like keeping the Sabbath and when I found "Stone Mountain" I thought I had found just that!  Being in nature is a good way to spend Sundays, but I did not realize how theme-park-ish it was really going to be.  Oh well, we had a good time!  

 Here it is!  This is a description from wikipedia:  it is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground 9 miles.  The carving depicts three figures of the Confederate States of America: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis.

 We took the tram up to the top of the rock and it was very hot and bright!

Taking a break from the heat in the air conditioned kids play area

 Hayden loved these pigs!

 and this box for some reason...

 Taking the train ride around the rock

 everyone gathering for the laser & fireworks show

 I didn't even think about bringing a blanket or chairs to sit on!  The show was amazing to watch, but made our party feel a little uncomfortable as it showed the south fight during the civil war.  Do people know that the south lost????  

It was a long, hot day, but we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Hayden's hair was soaking wet the entire day, she is such a sweater, just like her dad!  

Monday morning I took Kimberly and Matt to the airport.  We had such a great weekend with them and it got us out and exploring all that our new area has to offer.  We had great conversations and really enjoyed our time with them.