Smoky Mountains

We got to Gatlinburg around dinner time, which really was perfect timing.

As we passed through Cherokee, NC and got to see a large herd of elk out in the field. They weren't at all scared by people, and in fact, policemen were shooting paint ball guns (without the paintballs) for noise, to keep them from coming to close to onlookers and cars. It was definitely cool to see them up so close and personal!

When we honeymooned in TN we had stayed in a cabin, but this time, because of how expensive cabins are, we found a great deal on a hotel. And it turned out to be really nice and cute!

It was kinda like a one room condo/suite. It had a full kitchen, living room with a fire place, dining room and bedroom with a full bathroom.

Stone Mountain

Three weeks late, Justin and I celebrated our 9 Anniversary by going away for 5days, just the two/ three of us!!

We went back to the smokey mountains, where we had honeymooned 9 years earlier.... The next several posts are of our trip!

We left Wednesday morning, bright and early (ok, 6am! Which is early for us :-), and stopped at Stone Mountain Park. 

Neither of us had ever been there, and I hadn't even ever heard of it :-/ It was a beautiful park with lots of walking, biking, and hiking.

Apparently, Stone Mountain rock is pure granite and only 1% of the rock is above ground, the other 99% is all under ground (how they know this, I have no idea, but that's what they tell you).

And in case you're like us, and couldn't recognize all three men carved on the rocks (I knew two of the faces), it's Jefferson Davis, Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson!

Work day

We enjoyed a work day a couple weeks ago.....a group of families got together and helped another family in our church, clean up some trees that they're trying to clear out. 

Even though it didn't seem like we made a ton of progress, we all enjoyed being able to bless others......the kids had a blast working too!! 

When we left that night, Christian said: Mom, I'm so glad Mr "K" LET us come and work at their house, that was so much fun!!!

Park

Last Friday we got invited to join some friends at the park.....the kids really enjoyed it!

Zoo trip

The last Saturday in September we were able to take the kids to the Zoo (the month of September, kids go free on Saturdays)!

It ended up being a nice, HOT day, but the kids really enjoyed seeing all the animals!

Poor James, I forgot to bring him shoes, so he ended up borrowing his cousins (Nathan M), for the afternoon.

All the kids loved seeing the animals, but James especially enjoyed it.... He's definitely an animal lover!