The Great Smokies

Steven had a little vacation time this past week so we packed our bags and headed as a family to the great smoky mountains. It was a fast trip but we had a ball.

We stayed in Pigeon Forge for two nights and enjoyed a stroll around Gatlinburg the first day.

On day two we loaded up the car again and traveled an hour away to Cades Cove. I grew up going to Cades Cove. It's an eleven mile loop in a beautiful valley surrounded by the Smokies. They have old cabins and churches from settlers in the past that are free for walking through. You can either choose to drive this loop or bike it. We chose the latter.

The weather was a little cooler than we would have liked. It may have hit 60 degrees that day but we're still not certain. Don't worry, we made sure little buddy was "snug as a bug in a rug" on the back of the bike.

Despite the cold weather, he truly loved it! But I wouldn't go as far to say he loved his helmet...

Thankfully, he got used to the helmet and oversized gloves after a few minutes. All was good.

I literally almost fell off my bike from laughing when I saw this adorable sight. Bless his squished up face's heart.

Of course, everytime we stopped Isaac was quick to find the gravel rocks...

And threw and threw until his little heart was content...

I supppose he was too busy throwing to take a picture with me.

No bother, we'll just force a little old lady to take a picture of all of us...

Back on the bike we decided the weather really was quite chilly. I decided to put a hat on little buddy for warmth but the helmet wouldn't fit on top. So, we opted to be bad parents and let him go without a helmet the rest of the way. As you can see he enjoyed this much better.


No really, I promise he enjoyed himself despite his grave appearance. :)

We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the half way point. By then the sun was out in full force and Isaac had a ball running through the field and throwing his sippy cup at a nearby tree.

We stopped at a few cabins along the way. As you can see, Isaac was more mesmerized by the gravel road than the 150 year old structure in the background.

But once inside his feelings changed...

Like I said, Isaac took pleasure in the rocks most of all.



Of course curiosity gets the best of us all and sometimes you have to break for a rock snack.



I should have gotten a picture of Steven fishing them out of his sharp teethed mouth.

As you can see by the end of our journey we wore little buddy out...

Oh, if you were concerned about bunny at all and wondering if he enjoyed the trip have no fear. He was delighted to ride on top of a bona fide hummer in the warm comfort of our hotel room.

His friend thoroughly enjoyed the ride too...

Octoberfest

I told you Isaac had big feet.

This is how I found him the other day. Sneaking a pair of daddy's asics out of the closet for a little dress up time. His expression says it all. I laughed.

Well, I finally finished the sewing class and my cherished outfit that I made through blood, sweat, and tears. (Okay, maybe not through sweat. ;) )

I was so relieved that it fit and my precious money hadn't gone to waste at the moment. The only repair to do is to move the buttons up a little. We don't want nipples showing now that we're almost two.

The class really was helpful. That is until I came home two days ago after buying more fabric to make a second overalled johnny. I got to sewing right away, real excited like. Everything was going perfect--I was smooth sailing--really big headed too about my beautiful success at johnny #2. "Ha, this is a piece of cake I thought. I'll be teaching the next sewing class in no time," I smirked to myself. And then it came time for the back to be sewn and the crotch to be finished. Wouldn't you know it, I forgot how to make the whole darn thing!! I was livid, and still am actually.

To my credit people, we had a room full of women in full anticipation of learning to sew and needing the teacher's undivided attention along with myself. So, everytime I was on to the next step (and there are a lot of steps mind you) she would come over, hold my piece of fabric for me, and quickly say "okay honey, you do this and this and this next" all while contorting the fabric in quite unusual ways.

My sweet husband is going to take a look at it for me. He claims he is better at geometry and puzzles, which he is. But if he figures it out without even having to take this darn class...grrrr.

Without further ado, here's the finished product itself.

I figured Isaac really liked it because when I mentioned taking it off this is what he did.

Here's the cute back.

"Oh, so that's why you were running. You wanted to put bunny's foot in your ear?"

If he is ever holding his bunny this is how you can find him. His precious bunny foot goes a lot of places these days. Into his ear, between his big and second toe, in his eye, in my eye... We are not really sure his obsession with this specific rabbit's foot. But I can't complain...it makes me smile like no other.

Bunny and Isaac are big pals.

He really enjoys playing in the barn yard like most bunnies do.

Being thrown into boxes is a favorite pastime. (Let's hope bunny doesn't experience the toilet anytime soon)

Speaking of bunny, something tragic happened to him of late. What started as a teeny tiny little hole has led to a large opening in bunny's foot. We knew it was only a matter of time. Bunny feet only live a few years you know.

After his precious bunny, his number two obsession would be anything with wheels.










(Maybe I can teach him to vacuum next...)


His number three obsession is probably practicing his high pitched screams.

His fourth (and rivals his second) obsession is throwing things. He LOVES more than anything to throw thing. I'm in the process of teaching him that we only throw balls. So far this is the look he gives me when I have to reprimand him.

Then it turns into this.

How do they come out of the womb knowing how to do this manipulative smile tactic??

But MY obsession lately?

His contagious laugh!!

We still can't believe our little buddy turned 20 months at the end of September. I am loving this stage of life with him. He is so much more aware and finally saying real words now. He still loves the outdoors and anything remotely boyish. He understands everything we say. We could not be more thankful for this tiny blessing that came into our lives 20 months ago...

Last but not least, Steven and I enjoyed a date night and headed to the Alabama vs. Florida game this past weekend.

We ate dinner at the Alpha Chi house before the game like old times and enjoyed fellowship with my sista-in-law and friend.

And of course a nice beat down on the Gators never hurts...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!