VACATION

We just got back from a 7 day vacation. It was wonderful. It was our first vacation as a family. We went to Pigeon Forge, TN. One of my favorite things about it is that it was a complete surprise to Gavin. We packed his things while he was outside or asleep. We told him that for family day we were going to do something really special...go on a bear hunt. But we had to drive for a few hours to get there. He had to use the restroom at the perfect time (a few minutes before arrival). We told him that we would pull over at a hotel so he could use the restroom. We go in and Aaron says, "Reservation for Rosen". The lady says to him, "You are staying for 7 days". So Gavin says, "SEVEN DAYS????" LOL It was the best. I can't believe we pulled that off. If you are ever in that area, Comedy Barn is THE BEST! We were laughing so hard that our cheeks hurt. It was the first time on our trip that Gavin had gotten extremely excited too. We did a lot of hiking and walking...but still gained weight from all the junk we ate. I just HAD to have my fudge...and buckeyes...and taffy...and burgers and on and on and on. :0) We hiked 2.7 miles up the mountain (Aaron had Grisham on his back) to see Rainbow falls. We also hiked 1.5 miles up another spot to see Laurel Falls. We went to Ripley's Believe it or Not, Ripley's Aquarium, and Ripley's Mirror Maze (Gavin and Aaron found their way out in one minute after going through a couple of times).

One of Gavin's highlights is that he got to DRIVE a go-kart all by himself for the first time. I can't believe my son is that big already. He also got to ride the blaster boats by himself (like bumper boats but you can spray people). We had a pool at our hotel, so it was Grishams first time in a pool. He looked SO cute in his swimwear. It was also Grisham's first time on a carousel and baby swings. We played putt-putt 3 times and visited a lot of shops. We ate out a lot, but our favorite places ended up being Fudruckers and IHOP. Imagine that! lol Below are some pics from our trip!

Grisham had his own little pool and he loved it!

Grisham's first carousel ride.

First time on the horse.

Grisham at Ripley's Believe it or Not

Can you see our shadows?

Goofing off while doing some shopping.

Ripley's Mirror Maze

Gavin at Professor Hacker's Golf Course

The four of us at Professor Hacker's Golf Course

Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg

I liked this aquarium just a little bit more than the one in Newport.


Can you find the fish?


This is the face of a saw fish.


Gavin, Grisham and a sea turtle.

I love this picture.

My little blue eyed boy!

Gavin holding a horseshoe crab.

Awe, aren't we cute.

Vacation 2009 - More pics to come soon!

Can you tell that I was a "little bit" afraid to cross the bridge?

Rainbow Falls

Gavin was SO happy to find a salamander on our hike to Rainbow Falls.

The rain set in when we finally made it to the falls.

Grishams face after busting blood vessels trying to go #2.

Poor thing!

I love this picture!

Gavin's first time driving a go-kart all by himself.

Can you tell which one Gavin parked? LOL

Grisham's first time in a real pool!

The pool at our hotel.

Gavin is reaching into the water at the old mill.

Sitting on the rocks at the Chimney Tops trail.

Chimney Tops

VACATION

Gavin in front of the Great Smokey Mountains


The boys at Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls

Can you find the butterfly?

A tunnel you can see the top of, on the way to Cades Cove.

Baby bear

Same spot my Grandmas had their pic taken almost 30 years ago.

Grisham in a bird's nest at Knoxville Zoo

(Cincinnati Zoo is SO much better)

Gavin's newest favorite animal, the red panda

The zebra had a goatee

Me and my boys (the only monkeys on exhibit)

Grisham's first ride on a baby swing. He loved it!

Grisham and a dog at Comedy Barn.

Grisham loves to say dog "dah" now

Gavin was one of the kids that the dogs jumped over.

One of our favorite acts of the night, the ventriloquist.

Grisham's souvenier from the Comedy Barn.

Gavin got eaten by a shark