RJ's First Trip to Grandma D's...

Having seen the Vanderbilt's summer home the Breakers in Newport, RI a few years back we decided to include a stop in Asheville,NC while visiting the South so that we could see the Biltmore with both grandmas and Aunt Amy in tow. Pictures weren't allowed so there are no cute pictures of RJ sitting in the dumbwaiter and crawling down the bowling alley.

After spending the day on the estate eating, wine tasting, and touring we had one more stop to visit Great Aunt "Kissie Kissie" Alice before heading down to Georgia to Grandma's.

Grandma took us all to the local playgrounds and quite a few grocery stores -- including a great natural foods warehouse that had all the organic essentials.



The water was too cold for us, but RJ had no quams about playing in the Chattahoochee River and rediscovered his love for climbing stairs. Whenever we were in the house he was all about going up and down the stairs. Kind of makes us happy we live in a single floor place.

While near Atlanta we decided to check out the Georgia Aquarium, the second best aquarium for kids. RJ was a big fan of splashing the water in the "hands on" exhibits and admired the pretty sea life:

tropical fish


sea lions


and whale sharks


Of course, there were stairs at the aquarium too which might have interested him just as much.

It was a shame we had to head back to California so soon because RJ seemed to be enjoying southern living.