Memorial Day of Memories

So as far as our family vacations go...ahem, they don't seem to go...very well, EVER. Finally we have had our most wonderful vacation that we have been waiting a long time for. We went to Gatlinburg Tennessee for Memorial Day weekend and it was perfect for our little family. (When I say "little" family I mean young, because our kids are young. Our family is getting to be a decent size, I wouldn't categorize us as a little family, probably average now. Anyway, back to the blog.) We rented a log cabin in the mountains and hit the touristy town in the day. Way fun.

Here are the kids on the way to town on the first morning. This would be after going to bed late and waking up at 5:30am in a strange place so they couldn't fall back asleep. Ready for our fun filled day.
Randy and Faye, chillin' watching cartoons.

Here is a cool little fancy strip mall place with fancy architecture and pretty fountains.

Here is Faye working it in her stylish swimsuit.($5 at the Children's Place!)

So we went to a super awesome amusement park where Mabel and even Charlie were able to ride on most of the rides. Our favorite ride was a slide. You ride a chairlift to the top of the mountain and then slide down it, but you can go way fast and it's super fun! Unfortunately, no pics of the slide. Whoops!

Faye enjoying the morning as we stood in line waiting to go to the amusement park. She was oohed and aaahed by everyone who laid eyes on her!

Charlie is all tuckered out at the end of the day.

Here we are finishing our vacation at Ripley's Aquarium.

Charlie was scared of most of the fish at the aquarium. Of course, he was also scared of the children's play area, hmmmm?!

Here is Mabel in a tunnel that took her right next to the penguins. Just chillin'! Get it, chillin'? Penguins live in cold climates?!

So, that was the end of our most successful vacation. We even made it through the dreaded gift shop exit at the aquarium without purchasing anything. Phew! Now on to our next adventure. This weekend we are heading back to the Midwest for a Moran family reunion. Surely there will be laughing, crying, and lots of sugar and soda. Yes!!!

Petting Zoo

We visited a petting zoo a few weeks ago. We were able to pet and feed almost all of the animals at this zoo.
The goats seemed to be under the impression that WE were for lunch munching on the stroller, our shoes, and clothes. They tried to steal Charlie's binky, but we stashed it away in the nick of time.

Super hot!!! My husband and the weather. Mabel only whined the last 10-15 minutes that she was tired, hot, and hungry. Woohoo! We considered it a success.