Nashville- My 3rd favorite Southern city

Behind Atlanta and Charleston. Of course. If you have never been to Charleston even just for a weekend, just go. You will not regret it.

ANYWAY- My whole family went to Nashville for MLK weekend. We stopped in Franklin on our way up to have Brunch with some of our cousins. It was so. good. to see them. It had been a long time, and they were not able to make it to our wedding. It always does my soul some good to see Terri and Bill and their 4 boys. I need to break and talk about how good the Lord is for just one moment. Around this time a year ago, Bill had a massive stroke while driving his car. About 18% of people survive these strokes. He was one of the lucky few. Now, this was the first time for us to see Bill since his stroke. I literally cannot Praise the Lord enough for the provision he has had over Bills life. Bill is walking (with a walker) and has some movement back in his left side. I can tell it was so good for them to have people over to their house even for just a little bit.

My mom and our cousin, Terri

Once we got back on the road we headed to our hotel- THE Gaylord Opryland. OMG, y'all. OMG. This place was fab.u.lous. My brother's were digging it and kept telling kids they couldn't run around the hotel because it was a 4 start hotel. I loved this place because it was like a hotel in Vegas minus all of the casinos and bars. I went to Vegas with my parents in high school and loved seeing all of the cool hotels, but all that smoke and gambling? Not for me.

Room with a view! My brothers look way too old in this picture...

So I went a little picture crazy inside the hotel. Excuse the poor quality. We are in the middle of trying to save up for a new laptop AND camera. My laptop is dead and Pat's is on it's last leg...

Saturday night we went to the Grand Ole Opry, and we somehow lucked out and got to see the show in the old auditorium. They are fixing the new auditorium after breaking some things while taking down the Christmas decorations. I have to say though, I think I like the old auditorium better. Seems more like the Grand Ole Opry to me :) We got to see a great show- Connie Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Diamond Rio and Clare Bowen (from the TV show Nashville).

Pat and I at the Grand Ole Opry

Old creaky pews? My kind of place!

Diamond Rio

Clare Bowen

Inside our hotel after the show :)

Sunday we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and just wondered around Broadway. Pat and my brothers came away the winners of the day- all three got brand new boots! A store on Broadway was selling boots for Buy One, Get Two Pairs Free- seriously!! Talk about a steal!!

Sunday night we were having trouble finding a place to eat in our hotel. There are about 10 restaurants in there and they went from all being open to only 3 being open that night. Of course he managed to talk us into the steak house and got us the best table in the house. Sigh, at least I got something good out of his talking this time ;)

Excuse my attire. We were just trying to find out if we could in the restaurant at any point. I was planning to change when they told us we could eat there if we sat down right away.

The restaurant was AMAZING. Apparently they have been voted the best steakhouse in Nashville for 8 years running. We seriously lucked out getting to eat there! The steakhouse itself is in what is supposed to be an old antebellum home inside the hotel. Gorgeous!

The hotel at night. Again, please excuse the terrible quality of pictures!

My momma :)

Todd (my step dad) and I :)

All-in-all we had a great trip! It was great to get away even for just a little bit. I have always loved Nashville, and I can't wait for my next trip!