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