Happy Birthday Maggie!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

We spent this past week at our first ever family vacation. Brad and I have made previous trips without the girls, and Georgia has caught on to this. We decided to go to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg since they are both very family friendly places. We're not really beach people, so that was definitely out. We actually stayed a mile or so outside Pigeon Forge in Sevierville, TN. We loved where we stayed! We had a one bedroom condo with a view of the pool. They had this great kiddy pool that was only 2 feet deep and had a mushroom in it. You can see it in the far back of this picture. There was also a 3 foot heated lazy river that was really nice to relax in as the current moved you along. It is in the forefront of the picture. The regular pool is in the middle. Maggie kept saying she wanted to go in the kitty cat pool. I had no idea what she was talking about. It took me a full day to realize that when I was saying 'kiddy' that she was hearing 'kitty'. Hence the cat pool.

We were then off to Dollywood to ride rides, play games and ride more rides. No shows for us. No glass blowers or metal workers to be seen, we had rides to ride. Brad and I hit a big roller coaster each, but mostly we stuck to the smaller stuff for the girls. I rode the Tennessee Tornado with my eyes shut the entire time, no reason to see the terror when I can feel and hear it.

Next stop was Nascar Speedpark. More rides, putt-putt and go-karts here. Georgia literally cried when getting on these go-karts, remembering her less than pleasurable previous experience with me. She rode with Brad this time.

One day was spent at Ober Gatlinburg doing - you guessed it - riding rides! This is what we like to do. We rode the tram up - which I did not like at all. Trams are on my do not like list with elevators and planes. I thought the Stone Mountain tram was bad, then I got on this one! On top of the mountain we also saw a black bear exhibit. The girls really enjoyed that.

So now I need a rest from our vacation. We were going and going the entire time. I grew up in East Tennessee, so my family and I have been to Dollywood and Gatlinburg countless times. We used to go when Dollywood was still Silver Dollar City. But this time was different. Taking my children was a completely different experience. It was truly wonderful to see the look of sheer joy on their faces as the enjoyed the parks and pools. Brad and I were saying how we have found a new appreciation for what our parents did for us. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Oh Say What We Saw

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We did here. We hung out by the pool a bit and then headed to Nolensville for their first ever fireworks show. It was a lot of fun! Georgia was desperate to have a snow cone since her 2 best friends have had one and she hasn't. We stood in line forever at one place that had syrup but no ice. We then went somewhere else that had ice and no syrup. How does this happen?? I was too tired and hot to get ice at the second place and go back for syrup at the first. She had to settle for just a cup of crushed ice - YUM!

The girls got a bit scared at times though. Georgia was afraid the fireworks would catch our car on fire. Here are some pics of the show. My camera has a 'fireworks' setting, and this is what it caught:

On another note, my Dad lives in Oak Ridge and their show got canceled because no one there got a state permit for the display! Wouldn't that be step 1? Someone seriously messed up there. I can only imagine the disappointment, and hate mail, that ensued.

Stone Mountain, GA

We headed back to the state of Georgia this weekend for Brad's company picnic. You all know we lived outside of Atlanta for 4 years, and this was just my 2nd trip back. It was hard to remember just where all the backroads (or surface streets in engineering speak) go. Georgia was very excited to see her first home and to spend time with just me and Brad - we left Maggie in Nashville with Brad's parents.

It was a quick trip - sorry all my ATL friends for not stopping in. We got in Friday night and spent most of Saturday at Stone Mountain Park for the picnic. Can I please tell you how very hot it was!!! It was fun, but hot. We hit all the major stuff and then headed to a pavilion for the picnic. Brad won the grand prize raffle item there - a wii!! I think we're out of the marketing demographic for it, but we were happy just the same. Now all our disposable income will go towards games.

We did squeeze in a trip out to the Mall of Georgia to my all time favorite store - Nordstrom Rack. I love this store because they carry my shoe size, which is difficult to find elsewhere, not to mention pricey.

We of course had to hit the Malibu Grand Prix too. We love bumper boats, putt-putt and go-karts!!! Cheap family fun. Georgia rode the go-kart with me this time, and she was not happy towards the end. I got a little competitive out there, determined NOT to let people pass us. It got a bit dicey at times, but I felt good about our performance! Georgia did not. She refused to ride with me again.

Then to the bumper boats. It was 7 kids and 2 adults, and the kids unloaded on the adults! I was soaked. This one little boy was relentless in his pursuit to get me wet, and his mother apologized to me afterword - which was completely not necessary, but really funny. Georgia was sopping wet and loving every minute of it.

Now back to Nashville, and to my brand new broken down washing machine - more on that later.