Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge

They're standing so far from each other!  Most of my shots there isn't another soul around, which is so strange because it was super packed!

Ha!  Someone enjoyed lunch!

My family went to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg on Saturday for the day.  We went to The Inn at Christmas Place, some Christmas shops, ate a late lunch, and then walked the strip.  We stayed till it got dark to see the lights. 

Andrew did good on the way there with some nursing while driving to keep him happy.  The way back was a different story, especially with the traffic.  I really hope little man gets used to the car some time real soon.  He has rolled over a bunch now!  It seems to happen so fast!  He's growing up. 

Sean and I are out of school until January and we are excited to be spending some extra time together.  We have visited with some friends, got to see a new baby, and have started baking Christmas cookies. 

The Hunter fish died last week.  :(  Ryan fish is going to need some new friends. 

Enjoying the Christmas season.  Thinking of how I need to hug my family even tighter.  There are many families in CT that have been forever changed by a devastating tragedy.  And another family in Thailand suffering the loss of two of their children.  A family a little closer to home suffering from the terrible effects of alcoholism.  Crying out to God, falling to our knees, a fervent need to be in the word.  When comforting words seem to escape, when the loss seems unbearable, when tears are numerous, God is there. 

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”


“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Bluebird Christmas Tree Farm

The farm had a sweet little indoor area with jams and butters for sale.  It was so cozy in there.  And if we are ever given the chance to build our own home I want a cedar bathroom like they had.  It smelled so good!

I have this feature on my camera that I have never played with before.  I think it is called miniature effect or something like that.  This is straight out of the camera.  It's kinda funky.  Reminds me of my mom's work.  Did I just say my mom's work is funky!?  :)

We were thrilled to see when we Googled Christmas tree farms that there is one about 5 minutes from our house.  So we took the boys to the farm today and they ran around and ate too many samples of jams and butters.  We also picked our tree and it is now sitting outside leaning against our garage.  Guess we will need to bring it in and put some ornaments on it.  Not today though because we decided to take the children down to the Clinton Christmas parade.  It was really fun,,,,,just not the ride home.  We were stuck in traffic for a while and I would say that Andrew screamed for about an hour.  He does not like the car.  And that is an understatement.  Every once in a while he will sleep, but usually he is just screaming.  It makes it rough to want to put him in the car and go places, but we do.  This is our first baby to not like riding in cars.  It is heartbreaking to hear him and not be able to fix it.

Oakes Farm

OK, this slide was FAST and FUN!!!!

So I went again, took a different child.

My Aunt Holli

Looking overwhelmed...just too many to choose from!  (Actually just way past nap time and coming down with a cold)

Over a 1000 lb pumpkin!  Our friend Gina had some good cuddle time with Andrew.

In Florida we had a tradition of going to a pumpkin patch every fall and I LOVED our pumpkin patch there. So, I started looking at patches here before we even moved!!!  It's a pretty big deal. I was almost nervous going yesterday because I didn't want to be disappointed.  This one had a lot to live up to!  lol We went to Oakes Farm.  It was a lot of fun and just as good as the one in Florida.  Even better was that my mom was in town from Arizona for the weekend to meet Andrew and see the boys and she came with her sister Holli (my aunt) who lives in Nashville.  Holli hadn't met any of our children before this weekend.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a single picture of my mom.  :'(  Our friend Gina who lives in Knoxville also came and she got to meet Andrew for the first time, as well.  Oakes Farm had a ton of stuff for children to do, a petting zoo, corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, food, etc.  We hope to go back next year.  Oh and it was cold!  Perfect time for hot chocolate.......and cheeseburger and fries.  :)

Fall UTK

Have I ever mentioned how much I absolutely adore fall?  Yah, thought so.  And have I mentioned that this may become an East TN fall leaf blog?  Well, I think it officially is.  :) 

Sean has a short day at school on Thursday so we woke the boys up early from nap (smart?) and headed down to campus with him.  All so I could have fun behind the lens AND get a venti salted caramel mocha frapp.  :)  Both were equally awesome. 

Ahhhh, fall.