Labor day and lazy weekends

It has been quite awhile since Labor Day weekend by now-but we have been doing so many things that we haven't had time to sit down and tell you all the things we have been doing!

For Labor Day weekend we had many guests. Jason's brothers Derek and Brian came in town, along with Brent (a friend from home who just moved to TN), and our friend Mike from Jackson!

Kathleen, Jason, Derek, Brent, Mike, and Brian at the fireworks show.

We heard from many people that "Boomsday" was the biggest holiday in Knoxville so we were happy that we could be here-and bring friends. We spent most of Saturday tailgating with the LeGrands and hanging out downtown during the football game. We checked out some cool places downtown. Sunday we spent more time in West Knox for the morning, then mid afternoon we headed downtown again for the Boomsday Festivities. We went to Calhoun's to find some space by the river for the big fireworks show. It was great! Did it blow my mind like people had promised it would? Not quite-but maybe because it was raining.

The next weekend Jason and I went to First Friday. 

All the art galleries and little shops have an open house. The weather was perfect and it was fun and relaxing. We went to Kate Moore's studio- she is SO talented. 

On the way back to our car there was a concert in Market Square. It was like a 40's swing rock band. The Knoxville swing dance association was giving free swing lessons, too. 

After another full week of school for me and studying for Jason, ending with a LOT of relaxing and catching up on sleep. On Saturday we decided to go to the Knoxville zoo. While I was getting ready, Jason checked their website to see if there was anything fun going on that day at the zoo. Come to find out, it was teacher appreciation day-sponsored by Kroger. It ended soon so we quickly left. Teachers got in free...AND Kroger had a tent of goodies for teachers. We hit the jackpot! 

Plus we had a blast together. We are still adjusting to the geography of the city.. even the zoo had inclines. Quite different from the flat lands of Jackson, Gulfport, Starkville, and Memphis. 

So after a particularly tough week, the generous speech path at my school gave me this chocolate chip cheesecake cupcake. How nice is that? I work with some really great people. 

Anyway, things are going well here. We miss all of our friends and family, but we really like Knox. 

Thanks for keeping up with the Caswells..