Smokey Mountain Fun

We planned a family reunion in the Ol' Smokies over Memorial Day weekend. The day before we left, Michael found out he was drafted to work the whole weekend and couldn't go. On the 1st full day the rest of us were there, Kevin and Steve were texted and told they needed to get back to NAL to show their dedication to solving the problems going on. Luckily for everyone, the way we had driven down did not allow for either of them to easily leave to drive the 8 hours home overnight to get to work and allow the rest of us to get home. So, they stayed. They may be unemployed soon, but we had a great 2 day break in the cabin.

We hit the aquarium. My kids loves it. I think Lucy was scared the whole time that the fish were going to get through the glass to get her. We ate. We napped. We swam in the cold pool. We swam in the hot pool. We hung out. We swam. We ate. We napped. We tried to get the kids to ride rides. Maddie threw a fit. Lucy looked nauseous the whole time. The grown ups ended up riding go-carts with some of the kids and having a blast. We ate. We swam int he hot pool. We headed our separate ways with tears in our eyes. We really do love each other despite each other!

On the way home, I asked Maddie what her favorite thing was from the trip. She sat quietly for a few seconds and then smiled. She said, "Lucy, William, Helen, and Tyler. I hugged Uncle Tyler." Hugging Uncle Tyler is huge because she usually gives him a hard time. Steve thought I coached her into saying that, so he asked again later...she said the exact same thing. Too precious!

 Maddie and William watching the fishies

Lucy and Maddie in the middle of a doughnut like aquarium. Looks like they were having fun!

 Charlie  loves, loves, loves fish. I think we are going to have to set one up in the house because he went ballistic the other day when we walked past the fish in Wal-Mart.

 All 4 kiddos - I think Maddie is about to get eaten

This is Maddie after lunch. She was just a little tired and a whole-lotta mad that she didn't get to ride with Sarah in the 'ban' for girls.

 This is Charlie after lunch thinking, "What is her problem?"

 This is the cold pool. The hot pool was actually a hot tub at our cabin.

 William playing catch in his jammies

Lucy is eating a popsicle for dessert after breakfast. Nanny breaks some rules when it comes to eating!