Gatlinburg

I realized when we got to the hotel the first night that this was Sydney's first time in a hotel room. No wonder she was so excited!

The next morning was breakfast, then a swim in the hotel pool before checkout. We had a cabin for the next two nights.

We started out driving the scenic Cade's Cove route and stopped for a little walk down by the creek.

Then we hiked to Laurel Falls, which sucked! 1.5 miles uphill, boy are we out of shape. Sydney did very well though, with very little complaining.

At the top was the waterfall, which she enjoyed playing in.

Then we discovered this little piece of heaven! A part of the creek that goes from ankle deep to roughly 9 feet! So, Chris and Sydney got in the ICE cold water and played. Chris contemplated jumping off the cliff into the deepest part, like others were, but they kept saying something about hitting their foot on a rock and he decided against it.

And I would've SWORN a bear did this, there's no way a racoon can obliterate a plastic bin like that. But apparently, they can. We found the pawprints to prove it.

And then we rode the tram to Ober Gatlinburg, which is a mall on a mountain. They have an ice skating rink which Chris attempted. Sydney wouldn't even step out there.

They have some bears, otters and other critters up there too, so we visited them.

I thought this was cool!

The tram ride back down. Sydney really enjoyed it. I was more scared than she was!

The upside down house. Don't know what it is, but it's cool!

Waiting for dinner at Old Mill, which is DELICIOUS!!! A must try!

The next morning, before heading out of town, we let Sydney ride some rides. Which was a huge ripoff! $3 for 1 ticket!! I could've taken her to Dollywood for the cost of 10 or so tickets and actually gotten my moneys worth!

So, that's it. We had a BLAST! And were sorry to have to come home.

Children's Museaum Trip

We went to the Children's Museum about an hour and a half away from our house this past weekend. We took our two nieces, Addison and Cali, and Chris's parents with us. The girls are resting up before the trip in this pic.

The entrance to the museum. Cool!

Super Croc!

This is a triceratops skull they found in South Dakota, I think it was. That was one of the neatest things I saw. They said it'll take 3 years for workers to extract it, clean it, and all that jazz.

Star Wars the Clone Wars exhibit.

me and C 3 PO

Chris, Sydney and Addison chillin' with Yoda

The cool glass thingy they have going up through the center of the museum

Sittin' on a croc

At the Egypt exhibit, they get to make bracelets that you could emboss and write on.

The much anticipated doll house exhibit

The Eli Lilly playhouse.

We were only there about 2 hours. Sydney was a cranky pants ALL DAY! Cali and Addison were so good, but we were all tired and HUNGRY since we didn't eat lunch. So, we cut out and went to eat. It was a long day, but all in all, it was a good time.

As promised

The day started at the park

I love this picture

Upside down Sydney

Entrances to the Mega Caverns

Wow, cool

Getting ready for the tour

These worms eat trash. yum

Then back to the water park

That's it. It was a fun day. This weekend we're shooting for the children's museum, next weekend is hanging out at the camgrounds with friends and swimming, and possibly Gatlinburg the weekend after. School will be starting all too soon. Sniff...

Random pics by Sydney

Some pics taken by none other than the budding professional photographer, Sydney. These are merely to hold you over until I muster the energy to locate the camera and take the time to sit down and download the pics to the computer from our day out on Monday.

So, to start, some self portraits.

And then, the baby doll. Who makes a really good subject when you think about it. I mean, she doesn't move.

Me, playing with the dog. Look at my lightning fast ninja moves.

The dog, playing outside. Sydney felt the need to follow and document.

Flowers she picked for me. She's so sweet.

And finally, her and our friend Robin, who joined us for dinner one night last week. She kept wanting her to stay and play.

I've been trying to teach Sydney about money, and saving up for things you want, doing chores to get money, etc... I'm not sure it's going over real well, she obviously has no concept of delayed gratification. We went to Target today to price Barbies so we'd know how much money she needed to save to get the one she wanted. She told me to tell her which ones were the "expensible" ones (meaning expensive). And of course, I didn't correct her, cause it's too cute and those little things she says incorrectly are fading fast.
So, that's it for now. I promise new pics of our fun filled day on Monday to be posted by Thursday. Hold me to it!!