Day two...

Today was such a fun day in Gatlinburg! This morning, we ate breakfast at one of the many pancake houses down here. It was so good!! Next, we headed to a Mirror Maze - so fun - and we played 3D miniature golf. The maze was so funny. We kept running into each other and it was really hard to tell where you were going. This afternoon, we all napped for a while (OK, only Tracey napped but we won't go there!!) and then we spent some time at Chimney Park where we were hoping to see a bear. Melanie is bound and determined that one of these years, we will see one. No bear. But, I did run into a big boulder and wrecked the van. Eric was SUPER happy about that! It's not that bad. We walked around downtown for a while and shopped and then ate dinner at the Smokey Mountain Brewery. Yum! We are getting ready to have "movie night". Our cabin has a theatre room with a 60 inch tv and some theatre seating. We may get in the hot tub if we all don't fall asleep. :) Enjoy the pictures from Chimney Park.

Matt, Melanie, Eric & Tracey - our annual picture by the Smoky Mt sign! :)

8th Annual Gatlinburg trip

Well, today begins day one of our annual trip to Gatlinburg. We arrived this afternoon and headed to the cabin to check in. Dinner was at Best Italian...a little hole in the wall joint we found on our first trip here. They have THE BEST garlic knots! We look forward to them every year. We split a pizza and walked around town a little. This year is the first year we opted to take the Trolley. It's not as great as it seems. I think we'll stick to the van tomorrow! :)

Two sexy men...waiting for the Trolley

Matt & Melanie on the trolley


Eric on the trolley

There was one garlic knot left...they are SO worth the wait each year!!

Eric & Tracey at Best Italian

Matt & Melanie at Best Italian...Matt was REALLY into his pizza.

Amanda finally got married!

Last night, our friend Amanda got married. I was very excited for her and she seems so happy! It is neat how many of us have stayed in touch from college. She is one of the last of our single friends to get married. Here are some shots from the reception.

The newlyweds...Donnie & Amanda

Eric & Tracey

Paul & Gretchen

Matt & Melanie

Josh & Janna

Chris & Shelia

Tracey & Gretchen

Big Wheel to Monster Truck

Well, who would have thought we would have a hurricane in our area?! My office was closed on Monday because of no power and again on Tuesday because we didn't have water. I took full advantage of those days and just hung out with Levi at home. We lost power at home for a little over a day and lost water for two and a half days. We were blessed...some people lost their power for almost a week! It is hard to tell a two year old that the TV and lights are "broken" because of the wind. Bedtime was exciting for Levi, though, because he got to sleep on a pallet on the floor by our bed.

Here are some pictures of Levi on his big wheel or his "motorcycle" as he likes to call it.

Eric took Levi down the street to see a Monster Truck that was parked at one of the businesses. Levi thought this was the coolest thing ever!! Look how little he is next to the wheel! The driver of "Bigfoot" was there to sign autographs. When we drive by there in the mornings, Levi says, "Monster Truck bye bye. Daddy taked it away." Maybe one day he will be big enough to actually drive one of these trucks!

Little Drummer Boy meets John Wayne meets Mr. Sandman...

This is a much welcomed weekend! I don't know if I've ever been so glad to see 4:30 on a Friday afternoon!! The nice thing is that we don't have one single thing planned for the weekend. It will be spent catching up on house work and playing!

Here are just a few cute shots from different nights this week.

If you've been anywhere near my world lately, you'll know about the trouble we've had getting Levi adjusted to his toddler bed. He has finally gotten used to going to bed on his own and knows if he gets up, the door closes for the night. Thanks for the advice and prayers that so many of you have offered to us!! Special thanks to Cousin Robin!! You'll enjoy the last picture. :)

Levi loves to play the bongos! Do you think he's following in his Daddy's footsteps??

"Gimme five, Pardner"

Did John Wayne eat Tootsie Pops and have a "blankie"?? :)

Daddy and Levi reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" before bed. Aunt Pam brought Levi this book a few weeks ago and it quickly became his nighttime favorite! Thanks, Aunt Pam for the book. Levi can almost recite it word for word!

Levi's new favorite place to sleep...on the floor right behind his bedroom door. I don't understand why he would rather trade his comfy bed for the floor, but I guess this isn't the last thing I won't understand about my child! LOL

Levi's first "non" plane ride

This weekend was a little bitter-sweet for me. Mom called on Thursday night and told me that my great-uncle (her uncle) passed away. He was my Granddaddy's brother. So, I left on Friday morning with my parents to head down to Alabama for the funeral. Eric & Levi stayed home and had a boys weekend. I love going down there to visit, but not under these circumstances! We arrived in Alabama Friday afternoon around 3:30 and after a short rest and some dinner, we headed to the funeral home. Immediately, I felt that good ol' southern hospitality that I've experienced so many times before. All of mom's extended family was there and though there were tears, there was also laughter and lots of love. It was a weird experience for me because of just losing Granddaddy two years ago. My great-uncle and Granddaddy were very similar in their attitudes, characters, mannerisms and even their looks. It was like experiencing his death all over again. The funeral was Saturday morning and it was a nice tribute to my uncle. Saturday evening, I got to visit with my aunts and uncles and it was nice just getting to laugh and talk without a 2 year old constantly interrupting! LOL We arrived home around 4pm today and I was glad to get home to Eric & Levi.

So, tonight, we took Levi over to our county airport and he got to sit in a small Cessna plane that belongs to our friend, John. Levi wasn't ready to go on a ride in the plane, so John said we'd try again in a few months. Here are some pictures of his visit to see see the planes.

Fun at the park

Saturday night, Gretchen and I decided to take the kids to the park for a picnic. The weather was gorgeous outside. The guys decided to join us, which was nice!! Matt & Corbin came along, too (Melanie is out of town). The kids all got to feed the ducks, play on the jungle gym, play football and just be kids and run around! Here are some pictures! Enjoy!

Paul, Eric and Matt took all the kids over to see the ducks.

This goose was quite fond of Matt!

Run, Levi, Run!! (Get ALL of that energy out!)

Levi and Corbin...aren't they cute?!

Corbin really wanted to get in the water, but luckily, Daddy was there to save him!!

Levi and Daddy at the picnic.

The guys all played football...

...the ball went into the water, but Paul saved the day and rescued the ball!!

A friendly little game of Dodge Ball with Pierce, Levi and Corbin!

Peekaboo - where is Levi??

Hopie trying not to get dirty! Such a girl!

Corbin is desperately trying to get someone's attention!

More playing with the ducks.

Hopie, Gretchen and Tracey take a pose for the camera.