Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We spent most of our last day in Tennessee in the mountains. It was so incredibly beautiful up there. We drove as far up as we could drive, hiked up a bit more with Julia, and then John continued on even further by himself because the last mile was all uphill and this pregnant mama wasn't about to attempt it. We got some good pictures between us, though.

To be honest, I am just too tired to take the time to write captions, and too far behind on blogging as well as everything else that needs to be done. The only thing that seems to be on schedule is the growth of this unborn child of mine, whose birth is the deadline for completing all these projects that are behind schedule. And did I mention that I'm tired? :) Anyway, fill in the blanks yourself... mountains, trees, creeks, rocks, some snow... you're smart, you'll figure it out!

Julia loved the bear in the gift shop. I mean, really loved him!

This is the lookout that John hiked up to by himself.

I should also mention that John was finally able to pass his stone on this day, and it was almost twice the size of his last one, which landed him in the hospital. Good job, honey!

Tennessee: Ripley's Aquarium

Without a doubt, the aquarium was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Julia is too young to get a whole lot out of a museum, yet, but she adores all things aquatic. Her absolute favorite movie is Finding Nemo. She was on cloud nine in this place. We're going to have to try the Shedd soon.

This display was a tube that you sit underneath, or stand, if you're as short as a two-year-old.

These fish swam really fast. Couldn't tell ya how they get them to just keep swimming past like that, but it was neat.


Whoa! BIG fish! Julia doesn't look too sure about him. We was creeping ever closer, until...

He sort of charged! He swam right at her, then up and away, and she yelped and about jumped off the ledge! Good thing nana was there to assist!

Pointing out something pretty to Papa.

Petting a horseshoe crab. Julia is at that touch everything age, so all the hands-on stuff they had there was awesome. The guy working right there actually picked one up to let her pet it really well, since she had a hard time reaching in the water.

There were several of these cool tanks with smaller things like seahorses in them. They were ring shaped tanks with a hollow tube up the middle that kids could crawl underneath and stand up and feel like they were inside the tank.

Seahorses. They had longer tails than pictures usually depict, and that is how they hold onto the grass or corral or whatever they are hiding in.

The jellyfish were beautiful and awesome to watch.

We found Nemo! Along with every other character in the movie, I think.

Daddy petting a stingray.

This is Shark Lagoon. From above, it just looked like an open pool of water. But then you can go below in a tube with a moving sidewalk that makes it feel like your underwater and surrounded on all sides. They even painted clouds on the ceiling so that when you look up through the water it looks like the sky. Very cool.

Tennessee: Gatlinburg

After relaxing in the cabin our whole first day there, we got up the next morning and headed for the main street in Gatlinburg where all the shops are. We split up, and since nice little shops and touch-everything two-year-olds don't mix, the three of us found some sightseeing to do. We rode on a tramway up the mountain, but I forgot to take a picture of it. It's a 70 passenger "car" with windows on all sides that hangs from a cable and carries you up the mountain to a mall of sorts. There was more shopping at the top as well as some attractions for kids. Mostly though, we went up for the views.

Julia found a mini merry-go-round to ride that must have been older than me!

We played at a park while Daddy went to stand in line for tickets to the chairlift.

Yes, I said chairlift. Call us crazy, but John and I actually took our two-year-old wild child on an old fashioned chairlift, to get even further up the mountain. It seemed like a waste to get that far and not take the next step to get the best view! The ride itself was not enjoyable, as it should have been, because I was so panic-stricken every time she squirmed, but the scenery at the top was incredible.

Pictures just don't do it justice, but I'm sure you knew that.

After spending the morning sightseeing, we headed back to the cabin to put Miss Crabby Pants down for a nap and eat some dinner. Then we spent the evening at Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. We took these pictures at a display outside the aquarium. They had these cute little photo op spots set up all over downtown.

Then we headed inside... Next post: Ripley's Aquarium!

Tennessee: At the Cabin

Last month we took a family vacation to the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. My parents rented a cabin for us, them, Kristen, Brian and Tiffany to stay for four nights. It was so beautiful there with all the fall foliage in full "bloom". I'm going to do a series of posts to cover all the things we did there.

This is Julia on the ride down. With the incredible convenience of modern technology, the trip was a breeze because she was able to watch movies. We stopped for a potty/gas break and Nana came out with a box of Krispy Kremes. A gas station full of snacks, many of which were probably toddler friendly, and she comes out with doughnuts. And not just any doughnuts, but the creme filled, chocolate topped kind! How nice of Nana to share with Julia! (Who, by the way, is riding with Mom and Dad and not with Nana.) Only joking Mom, I love you! She actually did very well, considering, and didn't make too much of a mess. Why not, ya only live once! She's saying "cheese" in the photo, or trying to, with her mouth full.

Here's the sign for the place we stayed. We got there after dark, which was interesting to say the least! I won't go into details, just say that we made it and that's what matters! There were dozens of cabins of various sizes scattered all over the hillsides, and even at night it was a sight to behold, with all the windows lit up. We decided they must leave the lights on in all the cabins even when they aren't being rented just so it will look pretty.

Our cabin had a kitchen, living room, and one bedroom on the main level, which was where my parents stayed. On the lower level there were two more bedrooms, one for us and one for Brian and Tiffany. Then there was a game room upstairs with a pool table, big TV, arcade games, and bunk beds, which is where Kristen slept. Each level had a deck off the back, and there was a hot tub on the main level. The showers all had body jets, too. I could get used to that!


Here's Papa making breakfast on our first morning there. Mmmm...blueberry pancakes!


Julia is showing you her pancakes. She thoroughly enjoyed them!

Here's John in the hot tub on our first morning there. He missed breakfast and half the first day because he was having kidney stone troubles. How's that for timing? The pain is the worst as it passes from the kidney to the bladder. He felt a bit better in the hot tub, with cover pulled over him so all the heat wouldn't escape into the chilly air. Poor Daddy. He felt better later that day, though, and it didn't ruin his trip, thank goodness.

Pop yourself some popcorn, get under a blanket on the couch, and you have made yourself an instant friend! If you're willing to share, that is! And Tiffy did!

Playing the arcade games with Aunt Tiffy.

John playing pool.

Brian playing pool.

Papa playing pool (notice the tongue?)

Birthday Bash

Three days before Julia's actual birthday, we had her second birthday party. It was considerably smaller this year, less stress on the preggo mommy! We were again blessed with a beautiful sunny day for an outdoor party, though windy. Only problem with a windy party...

lighting the candle! We tried and tried, but it wouldn't stay lit. Oh well, there's always next year! Julia wasn't so concerned about the candle anyway. Notice in the photo above that while we were all huddled around the candle, she was sneaking her little hand in with a "yoink"!

No tears for the birthday song this year.

Finally, she got her flowers. And once she did, she wouldn't let go. Of all the gifts that day, the cake decoration was her favorite thing! That's a two year old for ya. She carried them around for days, even took them to bed. Goofy girl. I'll have to make sure those find their way into a keepsake box.

She did remarkably well with her cake. I just gave her fork and let her go to town (not like she'd let me help anyway!), thinking she could get as messy as she wanted, but she was very neat and careful. Such a big girl!

Since cake isn't the kind of thing we eat at home, and she hadn't really been to any parties all summer, this was her first experience of it (that she can remember). For days after the party, she would look out onto the deck from the living room, with her arms held out, shrugging her shoulders, saying, "Where cape go?" or "Cape gone!" It was as if she expected to eat cake on the deck all the time after that!

Pile 'o presents.

The touching of the ears means she's tired. We had passed nap time at that point and it was obvious. She kept trying to squirm down away from me. We got through it without a major meltdown, though, so that was good.

Overall, she did well, and it was a fun afternoon. Thank you to everyone for all the gifts, and for coming to celebrate with us!

Family Ties

I don"t know about you, but the last couple of months have been insanely busy around here. Consequently, I have lots of blogging to do! There's going to be a bit of a lull now before it gets busier than ever, so hopefully I'll get all caught up in time.

We spent September 18-20 in southern Illinois for the Hankla Family Reunion. My Mom's Dad's brothers and sisters and their families get together at a Methodist Camp that my Grandpa's brother Joe used to be the director of. We've been going there for years and it's a lot of fun. This was actually the first time that John didn't have to work and could come along. We took lots of pictures in the beautiful scenery.

Looking at all these pictures, I can't help but think that this was one of our last flings as a family of three. All too soon there will be another munchkin vying for our attention. While I know that I will be able to love as many children as God blesses us with, it has been my prayer of late that Julia will continue to feel that love when she isn't the only child anymore.

***

Julia Faith, the last two years of my life that I have gotten to spend with you have been the best I've ever had. I can never tell you how much I love you, or how much I have thanked God for you. It's hard to imagine a time when you weren't a part of my life. It has been such an awesome privilege to watch you grow and change, and I am so honored that God has trusted me to take care of you and be your Mommy. I want you to know just how much I love it when you wrap your little arms around my neck and squeeze tight ... when you kiss my cheek so tenderly with your soft lips ... when you look at me sweetly with your gorgeous blue eyes ... when you cuddle up with me on the couch to read books. You melt my heart with your honest, innocent expressions of love for me that I can't help but think I don't deserve. Thank you for that, Baby Girl. Thank you for just being you. Know that I love you and nothing will ever change that, no matter what the next two, twenty, or two hundred years may bring.