Here is a creek we stopped at and played.
Adriana playing in the creek.
We stopped off at an old farm house and got to see how they lived in horse and carriage days. They still had live animals there and here Adriana is chasing a chicken.
Andrew joining her in the chase.
The kids sitting on the porch of the old log cabin.
Andrew checking out some of the old farm equipment.
I tried to explain to the kids about how people used to live. How there was no air conditioning and the only heat they had came from a fire. There was no TV, no video games, no computers, etc. I'm not sure they were understanding yet maybe next time we visit they will.Here is a picture of another view. I'm actually not really sure where we were for this one other than the smokey mountains......ha! We visited so many places its hard to keep track now.
We took another hike up to Laurel Falls. This one was a little longer, but not all straight up hill. But notice here that Chris is carrying Andrew.....yes, I still wised up and kept the back pack carrier with Joey.
We finally made it to the Falls. Not quite what I was expecting, but it was still really beautiful.
A family picture in front of the falls.
Maw Maw and Pa Paw and the kids in front of the falls.
On the way back down, Adriana had to keep stopping and posing for pictures. Of course with the beautiful scenery, momma couldn't help but oblige and take the pictures :)
Andrew had to join in on the picture taken but he just chose to have his picture taken by big rocks. And thats the difference between boys and girls!!!!
But he did stop for a big cheese while Daddy was carrying him back to the car.
After our hike we stopped off for a picnic to help recharge ourselves.
Which of course was near another creek. So heres the kids playing by the creek again.
I promise after this I am almost done with the pictures. I just have Cades Cove on Thursday and Friday left. I told you I took over 500 pictures. I won't bore you with all of them and its hard to choose my favorites when there are so many good ones. Hopefully only one more post.
All three of the kids.
Of course Adriana had to have a picture by herself.
Isn't this so sweet! Hopefully it stays like this when we come back in 5 years ;)
Chris and Andrew walking down the trail.
The map of the trail. Only1400 miles to the top!
The state line for Tennessee and North Carolina.
Next we headed up to Clingman's Dome. It is the highest point in the mountains. The hike is only half a mile, but it doesn't mention that its straight up....ugh! Chris decided to be a gentleman and put the backpack on so I wouldn't have to carry Joey. Instead, I got stuck carrying Andrew!!!! I don't know why we thought it would hike it all himself!
Before we left I had bought the kids a camera that they could use to take pictures from the trip. Well on one of my breaks with Andrew he decided to take a picture of me taking a picture of him....ha! I wonder how all these pictures are going to turn out :)
Finally we made it to the top! I don't think I had ever been so relived! Here is Joey trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful view!
A picture of the view, which of course doesn't do it any justice!
The four of us at the top. Adriana was still back with Maw Maw and Paw Paw. Maw Maw said she had to keep encouraging Adriana to make it up the hill (I don't think she was about to get a free ride up!)
Finally! Here comes the slowpokes!
A picture of my boys!
Ah.....see I got smart, notice I now have the back pack on and guess who is carrying Andrew?!
Another family portrait.
Another view of the mountains.
Joey, the lady's man!
Adriana got picked to go down and chase the chickens during the show. She was the only girl with 3 other boys. Here and her partner actually won! She got a gold medal and a book for winning.
Hey, Adriana! You run like a girl!
But she does cross the finish line!
Getting her medal.
Adriana riding on the carasel.
Andrew riding on the bug ride.
Andrew sharing his ice cream with Joey. We never even asked him to do this. I looked over and there he was sharing. I had to take a picture of this because I thought it was so sweet.
My little pumpkin sitting with the pumpkins.
Look at the two sweethearts :)
Adriana and Andrew sitting in front of the train.
One of the hawks rescued. His wing had been shot off and now lives safely in captivity at Dollywood.
Ripley's Aquarium.
Adriana introducing the fish.
Oh no!!!!! Andrew is getting eaten by a dolphin!
And now he is stuck in the aquarium!
And he has taken his sister with him!
Look above us, its some kind of freaky looking shark with a chainsaw on its nose!
Thank God our turtle isn't this big!
How would you like to brush those teeth?!
I'm ready to swim with the fishes now!
Peek a boo! Let's see whats in here!
Adriana educating Andrew on the inside of a fish. She did say she wanted to be a scientist when she grows up.
Here is some kind of dragon fish, I forgot the name of it. I thought it was a cool looking fish.
Adriana said this was her favorite fish. A sea horse, could it be because its a horse?! I like it because the males actually birth the babies and raise them......ha!
Help! Can someone please get me out of here!!!!!
My boys outside of the aquarium waiting for the girls to come out.
The happy family made it out without getting eaten up by those sharks!
Your not seriously telling me that I have to use this bathroom, mom!!!!
