Welcome to Gatlinburg!!

We stayed at Wilderness at the Smokies so the kids could play at the waterpark during the day. It is such a wonderful kiddie place and Joe and I have a blast everytime we go!! We let the kids play for a little while before naptime on Saturday, then we had dinner at Applewood Farms (everyone's favorite!!) and then drove into Gatlinburg and took the tram up to Ober Gatlinburg -- soooo much fun!! We rode the Alpine Slide --mom and dad rode with the kids so Joe and I could race, and yes, I won (ohhhh, he was mad!!) Afterwards, Joe and I ice skated, not my favorite, but I did it anyways! The kids rode the carousel and ate Dippin Dots and laughed at us while we tried to skate!! By the time we took the tram back down the mountain it was after 10 o'clock and the kids were pooped!!!

riding the tram up the mountain!

we had to take a ski lift to get to the top of the alpine slide -- dad held Reese in a bear hug the entire trip up the mountain!!

soooo much fun!!

Poppa and Charlie

ready to go!!

Mimi was a little unsure at first, but had a great time by the time it was all over with!!

ready to go!!!

and they're off!!!

hang on Mimi!!!

Oh, I smoked him!!!

we didn't get any good pics ice skating =(

I am so not good at this!!

Joe was pretty good!

Happy 4th of July!!

On Sunday, we had a fun filled day at the water park. We took the kids out to play first thing and didn't stop until nap time! They had such a good time playing with all the kiddie toys and running around in the water. Sunday night we went into Gatlinburg and had dinner and took the kids to the candy shop. Afterwards we drove into Pigeon Forge and went to The Track to ride go carts and let the kids play at the kiddie amusement park. Reese and Charlie rode rides ALL night long while me, dad and Joe rode go carts (which, by the way, I smoked them!!). Happy 4th of July!!!!

loved the bear at the gift shop!

Mr. Cool Pants showed up

they had some type of agility course set up outside.....you know Joe had to get in on the action!!!

Charlie prefered the hula hoops!!

Reese and Charlie loved the "reindeer!"

doesn't she look REAL into whatever it is he's telling her?

on the carousel at The Track

They must have rode these swings 100 times!

spinning saucers -- I don't know how they didn't throw up!!

Yes, me and mom rode in that tiny train with them!!

Summer MDO!

Summer MDO is back in full swing, and for both of them to be gone 4 hours during the day, 2 days a week, is ALL new to mommy. I forgot what it's like to have "me" time on a consistent basis....I think I'm going to like it!! Reese is in her same classroom, same friends, same routine, and of course, she had to be a drama queen for us and scream bloody murder. Thank goodness Joe was with me and could help. We ended up having to "pass her" to the teacher and just walk out. Lucky for us, Charlie's room comes before Reese's and we had already dropped him by his room. I don't think I could have handled 2 screaming melt-downs, and the way she was screaming would have surely scared him to death! Anyways, I stood around for a few minutes and it didn't take long until the drama was gone, and the tears dried.....when I went back to peek in on her, her and her little friend Kate were sitting with the teacher reading a book. Both kids were REALLY excited to see me when I picked them up (my favorite part!). They both came running with open arms, followed by some of the best bear hugs around! Reese did wonderfully as well today. Now if we can just get past the drama departure! Keep your fingers crossed for Thursday!!

Doesn't Charlie look thrilled? And don't ask me what's going on with Reese's shorts....I have no idea how one leg is hiked up and the other down?!?!

we have GOT to work on this picture taking thing!

Off they go (sniff, sniff!)

Charlie's First Day of MDO!!!

Oh my sweet Charlie man, where has the time gone? I can't believe he's started MDO. Yesterday was his first day and he did unbelievably well. He is familiar with the school from last year when we would take Reese, but I had no idea how he would do when I "left" him. Well, let me just tell you, he didn't even tell me goodbye, and I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was gone until I came back 4 hours later and walked in to pick him up! They stay so busy with different activities and things to do, I think the time flew by for him. His teacher said he did great, sat at the table and ate his lunch (amazing), played really well with the other kids (even more amazing), and even colored me a picture!! We are so proud of you Charlie!! Love you!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!!

Let me just start off saying that, I know I'm partial, but I'm pretty sure I have the most wonderful father figure in the world for my kiddos. Joe is such a good daddy -- couldn't ask for better, and I don't tell him enough, so Joe, we love you and we are so thankful for you. We can't imagine life without you and I thank God everyday for putting you in my life and blessing me with these 2 sweet little ones!! Thank you for everything you do for us and your family!

Ok, now with that said, Sunday was a great day for us. We started off by going to Church, then we headed home and packed up a picnic lunch and went to Ruffner Mountain. We had never been there before, and I was a little skeptical, but Joe loves to be outside and loves to hike, so I thought we should at least give it a try. I am so glad we went -- it was perfect. We sat out and had our picnic lunch, then went on a little (and I mean little) nature hike/walk with the kids. They also have a little building with animals/wildlife inside to look at, so the kids of course loved that. When it was all said and done, Joe was happy and that was the goal of the day -- after all, it is Father's Day!!!

picnic!!

you see what I'm working with here??? ssshhhheeesshhh!

she's looking more and more like a big girl (sniff, sniff)

the kids were troopers and actually loved their little nature walk -- Charlie stayed right behind Joe the whole time, and Reese would turn around and say, "come on Mommy, come on".....guess I'm too slow for their liking!!

can you tell Joe's tired of me taking his picture???

We love you daddy!!! Happy Father's Day!!!

More Father's Day

Last night we celebrated with my dad and Joe. We took them to eat dinner at Brio (yummy), then did cake and presents at our house. We are one lucky family to have both these wonderful daddy's in our lives -- they are the best! I hope you two know how much we love you -- Happy Father's Day!!

Poppa got a new Honda Pilot last week, so this will look perfect on the front of his car!

Joe and Charlie LOVE to play the Wii -- Joe was so excited about this!!!

I love this picture of Charlie looking at his Papa

what a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend -- homemade Strawberry Cake -- it was seriously one of the best cakes I've ever had.....yummy! Thanks so much for making it Mom!!!!