A few weeks ago we visited family in Chattanooga. We LOVE going up and this time it was a crazy and FAST mini visit but with two very touristy stops. I am nothing if not a wonderful tourist. Seriously. I take pride wearing my camera around my neck, asking directions and reading all the reviews of “must-do” things in each city. Since Jeremy called Chattanooga home for a very long time but he said that he had never ridden the Incline Railway, I was practically drooling at the idea. And when I say “practically” I mean…yes, I salivated. all down my chin.
If you go to Chattanooga, you absolutely must get your picture with one of the murals. They are painted all over the city and are SO good. Some of them are HUGE. Note that you also do not need to be huge – exhibit A:
Another place you have to go is Champy’s. It’s totally got this casual bar atmosphere going but we see people there in suits all the time and once we even saw the Mayor of Chattanooga there….Weston threw his sippy cup at him. Yeah. Sorry about that.
Warning about the bathrooms though – if your husband goes in, he will come out with a pick up line. All the waitresses that have been hit on have posted their “tip receipts” with the best pick up lines on the bathroom wall. The girls bathroom isn’t nearly as funny.
Our friend Dan introduced us to it last time we were in town and they have incredible chicken and this appetizer that Jeremy and I love. It’s sausage and cheese and pickles. It’s spicy and delicious and makes you want to question the point of all other food….because why would you eat something else when you can have THIS?!
After a thorough gorging of the Champy’s, we headed to the railway. It goes up Lookout Mountain and has been going up this steep incline since 1895. That’s NUTS. That’s one hundred and twenty years (yes, I used a calculator) and is still going strong.
Weston liked the tracks painted on the ground. He likes little details like that – things that are orderly and repeated. He notices and thrives with that kind of repetition. I love seeing those personality things develop in the boys. It’s like the beginning of a really great TV series when personalities are really being fleshed out. That’s my children right now. They are growing into themselves 🙂
I had this cutie as my partner on the ride up the mountain.
The view on the way up was pretty cool. You definitely don’t want to look down out the side windows though. #mistake
Once we got to the top, we really got a feel for how high the train took us. And yes, both LJ and Max were asleep when we got on the train so they rode in their carseats.
Pretty cool, huh?!
It was a really great little spot. We felt like the kiddos were very safe (sometimes you go to these things and cross your fingers) and they loved it too.
Only wish we had brought quarters. (just a boy looking at nothing)
Another family had paid for the viewfinder thing and then left the top early so we let Will hop on and he said that he saw “lots of weally awesome stuff”.
I guess Max and I took the photo 🙂 Also Jeremy looks like his dad here.
LJ experienced his first life-saver candy. Moment for the history books.
The best family photo we got on the entire trip. I’m being completely serious. I love it. I might actually frame this one!
Once we got to the bottom, we hit up Clumpies. It is some of the yummiest ice cream in all the land. Bowers are ice cream people through and through.
Weston is a fruit flavored man. I love anything with chocolate and nuts. Jeremy likes ice cream in phases. Right now he is a chocolate chip cookie dough fan. There was a time when mint chocolate chip was his favorite. When we first met, it was vanilla with chocolate syrup. I should make a chart so I remember.
Will and LJ are both vanilla guys. Also…sprinkles.
I didn’t realize Jeremy was taking pictures of me nursing until after he got this shot and I became weirdly awkward in the photos. It’s kinda my favorite thing ever. Max is a very sweet nurser….he gazes fondly and sometimes takes breaks and just looks up and smiles. He is also my biggest baby to date. He likes to nurse and sleep and loves his brother’s silly antics. He was such a surprise but now I can’t imagine our family without him. He really is so DELIGHTFUL. That is the best word for him. A complete delight.
That evening we got ready for cousins and Will built this epic farmyard scene with Jeremy. It looks just like the cover of the box. He was very proud and asked me to take his photo. You can imagine my excitement when he said “I built all the wood things and now we have to take the pictures”. Yup. That’s what we do baby 🙂
Will had not seen Asher in a long time but these two are definitely family. They had a blast getting all dirty and sweaty and playing HARD.
Some of the littles with their dinner…meal of champions.
Their other cousins also arrived and the noise level went from a seven to a twelve. All the kids were SUPER excited to play and eat smores and make more noise. It was awesome.
This little gem is Darby! You haven’t seen her since this old post! She really has grown and apparently now she loves BABIES 🙂 Good thing too because we are gonna have a new cousin! Yup…Darby and Asher will be the big ones soon enough and we can not WAIT to meet the new little addition. Seriously – the more babies I see, the more babies I want. I can’t help it. It’s an addiction 🙂
So that wraps up one of the big events we did while in Chattanooga and I can’t wait to tell you about the other place too! It was perfect for our little boys and it will make you want to add Chatty to your list of “must-visit” places. Can’t wait to share those photos!
I could just eat Max up! I remember doing the incline railway a long, long time ago on a family vacation. Also, FYI the link at the bottom goes to a post about installing a fire alarm.
Katie – my family traveled from WI to Atlanta & Savannah last year for spring break and I referenced your ‘Favorite Atlanta Spots’ link quite a bit in our planning. This year we’re headed to Chattanooga for 3 days and then the National Park for the rest of the week. Can you put together (or have you already) a ‘Favorite Chattanooga Spots’ list? I already made notes from all the great places you mentioned in this post. It seems like a great city! I have 2 boys – ages 5 & 8 – so we love outdoors activities, good food and room to run. 🙂 Thank you!
Psst.. There’s a Champy’s in Athens now (on Baxter Street) so you can satisfy any cravings a bit closer to home!
I want to ride the incline railway! I somebody share about it and added it to my list. Chattanooga really isn’t that from Atlanta.
Seriously, I do not know how you both have fun with the kids, keep them safe AND take photos too. I used to take photos when I only had one grandkid. Two years ago we added a 10 month old. Once she hit the ground walking, babysitting and taking photos is like juggling chainsaws while rolling out pie crust. Sure, Martha Stewart could probably do it (juggling and pie crust), but photos, forget about it.
I feel sucessful if the kids have clothes on, have been fed, and nobody is bleeding when their parents return from a three day weekend. Photos, maybe while they’re sleeping …..
Who is the child in the first three photos? The two b/w and the mural one? It’s not Weston…but I don’t think it’s LJ either…maybe a cousin? I’m really wondering if LJ is a secret agent baby with different looks! LOL
I can’t help but comment that LJ’s carseat looks too small. His head should be below the 1″ top of the shell or he needs to be moved to a convertible.
Hi Katie,
Not to be that person, but it looks like your big boy is too big for an infant seat! Check out CSFTL to find a safe seat for him ASAP.
And also I think you cut grapes until 4!
That picture of you nursing is so great! I have a similar one I love.
Just a heads up that the infant insert needs to be removed when the baby is 11lbs (Max’s seat) and the vest shouldn’t be on while LJ is strapped in the car seat.
http://www.chiccousa.com/Files/pdf/product-manuals/KeyFit-Instructions-08.pdf
Shut your sausage loving hole. That sounds pervie but you know what I mean 🙂
xo – kb
It’s LJ. He just looks different sometimes 🙂
xo – kb
He is very close to the limit…he’s about two inches from the top…and probably will be sized up soon.
xo – kb
We had him checked by the local fire department and they said he had about another inch to grow before hitting the height limit…he just looks bigger in that photo. And yeah…we don’t cut grapes or hotdogs and we just tell them to chew really well 🙂
xo – kb
Love your Chattanooga posts – especially as a Chattanoogan. The mural you posted is one of Kevin Bate’s (http://goodwithfaces.com) He is amazing and one of my favorite peeps. His 4 year old son and my 4 year old daughter are in Pre-K. together and have been at day care together for 3 years now. He is working on a mural of our fallen 5 on McCallie Ave. Next time you head to Chatty if you want to meet up with Kevin let me know ([email protected]) I would love to connect you two. Also – if you do head to McCallie Ave and love wings head to Chattanooga Wing Factory – so good! Have a great November Momma! mhc
Ha! I’m so glad to be the bearer of wonderful news! I will happily shut my hole as soon as I take another bite of fruity pebbles.. #sadrainymondaydessert
I first found your blog a couple of years ago when we were moving to Chatt, and looking for fun things to do. I’ve been hooked ever since! You have an adorable family, and great sense of humor. We’ve since moved away, so thanks for the glimpse of our old home! 🙂
Alyssa
Those views are stunning! I especially love the silhouette and breastfeeding picture. And in the one that you and max are taking, Will looks 12 years old. What??
I would LOVE that. I am such a fan!
xo – kb
Max doesn’t have the insert…just the head rest which we were told is fine for infants that don’t have head control. And I never thought of the vest as outerwear but now that you said that, I will be sure to rethink it!
xo – kb
Do you think someday you might be willing to write a post with some practical tips for how you manage as you’ve added to your family?
We are only going from one baby to two, and I’m already panicked over how I’m going to manage two kids, two houses, a full-time job, and life in general.
You make it look so easy and I would love your insight!
Hi Katie, totally off subject, but I was thinking of you and your 4 little guys and was wondering if you ever heard of Great Wolf Lodge? I think there’s one near you. We go to the one in Texas and we’ve also done Disney and think its almost as good. The amazing part is the hotel is part of the waterpark (warm and indoors) and all food and fun is inside, including Starbucks!! You never leave the resort or step a foot outside the entire time. You also can run up to the room in just 2 minutes for snacks or naps when you need some quiet for the babies. And the rooms have bunk beds and a semi little room for the kids, called a Wolf Den! It’s one of the coolest places we have ever been and we have taken our 4 kids to 10 countries:) Just wanted to let you know in case you needed a fun, weekend getaway:) so much love, Chelsea, mama to 3 sweet boys and a little princess.
I am totally a car seat safety person too, but you are a well seasoned mama so I assumed you knew limits on the car seats.. but seriously you’re so gracious in your replies of people telling you to keep those babies safe!
I was going to ask what infant seat you have that allows the higher limit? Any fav convertibles? We are about to upgrade our girl (who is 14 months but a peanut!)
I need this in my life. NOW. Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
xo – kb