Just So You Know...

                                                          Do NOT mess with him. :)

Family Christmas Photo 2012

Romine Family Christmas Photo 2012

Well here it is. Our family photo. After the kids whining about having to take yet ANOTHER picture, I think it turned out rather well, don't ya think?

JOY to the World

These are all of the 3 and 4 year old children at Lacey's preschool. They just had their Christmas program for the parents. **Note: Lacey, I am sorry but you will more than likely be just like your moma and always HAVE to be on the front row.

They all sang their little hearts out. And despite Lacey telling me all week long that she couldn't dance, that her body just wouldn't move right, she danced perfectly!

I believe that her favorite part, well - make that all of the kids favorite part was singing "Joy to the World." It wasn't your traditional version. It was very upbeat and they would all karate punch the air and shout "JOY TO THE WORLD!" Very cute program. You could tell that so much hard work had been put into this with all these precious children. (Below) Proud Moma and Da. :)

Fun day with Ashley

My niece, Ashley exempted her exams at school, so she decided to come spend the day with Lacey and play. They made a snowman together, played dress up, and watched Dora the Explorer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

                                                                  Lacey had a blast. 
              Thank you Ashley for choosing to spend some time with her. It meant a lot. :)

Sittin' Pretty

Like Father Like Son

Just moments before I snapped these pictures, I overheard Layton say, "Hey Nathan...bet I can run faster than you!" and they took off like lightning just giggling away.

       These two are just like their dads...competitive with each other, but in a fun way! 

A perfect example is Jeffrey and Jay in the picture below. There is absolutely no telling what these two were up to, or rather, what they were plotting.  ;)

Grotto Falls Trail

Grotto Falls. It's a hiking trail in Gatlinburg, TN that Jeffrey and I have done EVERY time we visit. It's a short trail and it ends with a beautiful waterfall. Actually, the trail keeps going past the waterfall, but we have never continued. Maybe we can do that next time. We always pack us a lunch to eat once we get to the waterfall. It's a nice way to relax and just soak in the beauty around you, and also to sit down and say to yourself, "Heck yeah! I made it!" 

If you know me well, you will know that I'm not an outdoors woman. I do love looking at gorgeous landscaping and scenery and being out in the fresh air, BUT... I do NOT like the bugs and snakes and all the creepy crawlies that are out there. At ALL. 

Since the kids were with us and wanted to do a trail with us, we decided that this one would be perfect for them. 

And so we begin...

Nathan is fully prepared. He has his map (actually it's a map of the state of Tennessee) in case he gets lost and he has his binoculars, or binAculars as he calls them. He was on a mission. 

                         Lacey did well for awhile, but eventually this is what happened...

    The kids ran, hopped over exposed tree roots, climbed over some small rocks...

                                           Stopped nicely when asked for a photo op...

                                              until we finally made it to the waterfall. 

We found us some rocks to sit on and sat and enjoyed our lunch. Nathan loved jumping around from rock to rock. He said he was the best rock jumper ever. :)

Nathan and Lacey were pretty tired when we finished, but I think they had fun. And thanks to a nice lady, we were able to get a family photo. 

Hmm, Wonder What We Can Get Into Next??

I love this picture. It's often the candid shots that are the best. I am not entirely sure what they were doing here, but it sure looks to me like they are contemplating their next move. 

                                                             What do you think?

My PrettyGirl

No words are needed for this one. Lacey is just a pure bundle of love and sweetness!

Aquarium of the Smokies

The kids wanted to go to the Aquarium in Gatlinburg. We have been many times before, but Nathan was adamant that he wanted to go see the sharks again. Truthfully, I enjoy it too. I think I could sit and watch the sharks swimming around and around for hours. 

There are other creatures there that are equally as intriguing and amazing to see. You'll  have to forgive me, I'm not the best photographer. I'm still trying to figure out all the different settings on my camera - I apologize for the dark pictures. :)

 The eels always creep me out. They look so wicked. And I mean that as evil, not like Yankee talk.

                      Seahorses are always cool to look at. These two seem to like each other....

     Now this...this is an awesome creature. The Sea Dragon. It almost looked unreal.

Big Mama. Don't mess with her. 

                                           Nathan, Layton, and Ella petting a horseshoe crab.

                                                                          Jellyfish.

There are way too many pictures taken to post them all. Expect more pictures, lots more pictures!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E...Part 2

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

A Look of Frustration

While we were in Gatlinburg for Thanksgiving, Ella couldn't help but notice that everywhere she went there were only "Tennessee" things for purchase. Well, at the grocery store we needed to buy salt - and you guessed it..it was encased in a Tennessee wrapper. 

Immediately after arriving back at the chalet, sweet Ella was a determined girl. The salt and pepper shakers were stripped of their wrappers. 

When she was done, I asked her if that made her feel any better. This is how she responded...

Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg

The Romine family decided to spend the Thanksgiving holidays in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. (Props to Amanda for the suggestion!) Everyone seemed to have a great time together.

This is the view from our balcony of our chalet. Pretty awesome, right? I thought so.

These two little boys -

and these two little girls -

They had the best time together! Nathan and Layton were inseparable, as were Lacey and Ella.

                                  I believe that Papa enjoyed his time spent with his boys too.

Roll Tide Kind of Day

Papa and Mama Kaye recently bought Alabama tickets for the family. We went to the Alabama vs. Western Carolina game in Tuscaloosa. This was Nathan's first time to be at the beautiful Bryant Denny Stadium. Cousin Layton was with him, so together they were sure to have a blast!

                                      Here are  a few pictures I snapped during the day.

             Here is a rear shot of Big Al. I couldn't catch him in time for a great shot. Oops.

                                                  These two had a great time together.

And here is sweet Ella. Bless her heart, she didn't know the opposing team's colors were purple. She assured me that it was an accident and proved it by wearing her Alabama hat and red coat. :) I love this girl.

                       We had great seats too! We were on row 2 of the lower level. Pretty cool.

Jeffrey's famous long arm shot of the two of us. My arms aren't long enough to get us both in the picture!

                                               ROLL TIDE YA'LL! This was after the game.

                                                 Nathan and Layton having fun on the bleachers.

After the game, we went and took a bunch of pictures of the kids with all the coach's statues. Can you find Layton?? Oh there he is...look closely in each picture and you will find him. He's like a ninja.

                        There are more pictures, so you can fully expect a follow up blog. 
                                    Alabama defeated Western Carolina 49-0. Roll Tide!!