Gatlinburg TN

This is the first of two "Groupon" vacations were are taking this summer. If it wasn't for the discounts, there is no way we could afford to go on our budget. I was drawn to this hotel because of its indoor pool area that is part of a very large atrium. We loved it, especially since it rained like crazy the first two days that we were there!

Silas really liked the upper pool, which was 9 feet deep

Big boy in a little car!! LOL

The maze was a hit with both of the boys. I observed from the deck, I think I would have had a panic attack after hitting too many dead ends!

We rode the tram up to Ober Gatlinburg

We loved the indoor pool. We were fortunate to have gotten a room inside the atrium, as it rained cats and dogs the first two days we were there!

Sophie really enjoyed the pool, but not so much when I was taking this picture!

Silas is 11....where did our little boy go?

Silas is all about planning a party! He insisted that we have it in our garage, as we have done several times over the years. It's always at home or the park, and of course he is old enough now to have an opinion about, well, everything!! He is definitely a Tween now!

Camo is his life!

Only a redneck boy would want to sit on the lawnmower to open his presents!

That looks like fun!!

CAS Family PIcnic

 

Our adoption agency holds a family picnic every year in May. The last few years it has been at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury. We love all of the activities they have there for the kids to do. We are kids at heart ourselves, so we have fun too!!

 

 

 

Can you tell our family really loves Duck Dynasty?? LOL

Silas will actually BE "Uncle Si" one day!!

 



Crazy boys!

We always bring home lots of pretty rocks from our Gem Mining adventure. I keep them all in a
pretty bowl on our screened-in-porch!



Wow, what do you know? Proof that I was actually there!

Birthmom & Grandma love!!

Stephen LOVES his "N"

Grandma B

Loving on everyone!



Both of the boys' birth moms have offered to be Sophie's "surrogate" birth mom, since her adoption is closed and we have no contact with her. Isn't that sweet??



Mother's Day

A day that I NEVER take for granted!


Daddy picked out her bow!




I had to tell the boys all I wanted for Mother's Day was a picture, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten them to pose!



Beach with The Grands!

One of the many benefits of Home Schooling is that we can take little mini vacations with Grandma and Granddaddy! Of course Scott has to work, but then again, we all wouldn't fit in the camper if he came! Too bad Dad!! LOL

Water is a little chilly, but they don't seem to mind!!

Chillin' in the Camper!

Happy Girl!!!!

I love watching the three of them enjoy the beach!

We love camping! Too bad Daddy has to work and miss all the fun!

What are the odds??? 50:1!!!!!

Sophie's 1st birthday was April 2, and Scott is turning 50 on April 25, so I planned her party, and a surprise one for him along with it!! The odds of a family celebrating two major life milestones are pretty rare, especially father and daughter!

The birthday boy with our friend Rick, and his daughters Katie and Ally

A year in pictures!

After 2 attempts at a dairy-gluten-egg-free cake, I finally just took the pieces and smushed them together and iced the mound! It looked like a cheese ball, but it passed the requirements of what her allergy Dr told me to avoid!

Such a sweet, happy girl!!

Sophie Joy is ONE!!!!

WOW!! What a year it has been! It's hard to believe she is one! When I think of God's grace for her, and for us, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for His love for His children. His word says:

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:18

Sophie was without a family for two days in the hospital. The nurses had compassion for her, and named her "Bella". When our adoption agency told them that she had a family waiting for her, they changed the name card on her bassinet to the name we had prayed over for so long!

The nameplates from the hospital nursery!

Birthday dinner at Cracker Barrel! Party to come later in the month!

A Sunny Spring Day at the Park!

Sophie loves playing with Kinsley!