Last Trip to Gatlinburg for 2008

On September 6 we left for Gatlinburg. Although Tyler was in school we decided to stay the entire week. This will be the last year we can do this because next year Tyler will be in 1st grade. I asked the teacher what he would miss that week and taught him while in Gatlinburg. It was so nice because it was not as busy up there, and we did not have to wait in lines at Dollywood. The more I think about it the more I think maybe we can get away with it one more year. What do you think?



What should you not give a 2 year old in the car to help her stay awake? Chocolate!!!! Oh and do I detect some hair growth?

We took them to a Rainforest zoo. I call this animal a goat, but obviously there are people that want to call it an African goat. At firs Tyler would not touch it, but when Brianne ran up to it and started hugging (she tried to kiss it, YUCK) it he warmed to the idea. There were many types of birds and reptiles. There were so many snakes that I had very few places in the building that I could open my eyes. I am terrified of snakes. They even had cobras, and I personally think that is a dumb idea. I wish snakes would have become extinct like the dinosaurs.

Tyler got to go on the stage at Dollywood when they were having the Eagle show. Dollywood has a sanctuary for eagles that have been injured and can never be released. They do release their babies and to this date have released 97.

We went on much faster rides than this, and when we finally made it to this ride Brianne seemed bored. Go figure.

We saw turkey, deer, and wild hogs at Cade's Cove. I know these are all animals we could see at home.

OK since a couple of you noticed it and commented, I will put one picture of me on the blog. I don't like cameras when they are pointed at me.

We became brave and decided to let Brianne try this ride. The ride attendants were so nice and said that they would always stop the ride if a child does not like it. Well she did not, and we got off. Personally I was relieved because I did not like it. The workers are so nice at Dollywood. The majority are retired 65+ and just love being around kids.

Tyler and Lee went fishing while Brianne and I took a much needed nap. Did I mention that Tyler sleeps with us (he is bad news in the bed), and Brianne gets the other bedroom all to herself. She has us beat down. She has always been such a bad sleeper away from home that we are scared of her.LOL Don't know what we will do when we attempt to go to Disney World in March. We will only have the one hotel room with no extra room to place her in. Maybe I will stay home, and Lee and the kids will go.

We were on our way to the Magic show. She is holding the brochure for the show. She would not go to sleep each night without it. Of course we will stand on our head if that is what it takes to get her to go to bed. The whole reason we went to the magic show is the tiger. It ended up being a very good show, and we would recommend it to anyone who is in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN area. My baby is getting so big. Look at her long legs. She is so tall for 2.

Here is the tiger that Brianne lovingly calls Mac Mac. She wanted to get in the cage with it and cried hysterically when we left. Before anyone says "that poor animal," I would like to say he is very well cared for. He lives at a zoo with his trainer when he is not at the show. He was so affectionate with the trainer. The trainer told us about her experiences with the cats she trains. She also told us about a sanctuary in TN that houses 200 big cats. What a giving and loving person to take on such a large responsibility. Please go and visit their site. www.tigerhaven.com

We managed to take a couple of days and just to relax and picnic in the park.

Did I mention that I got pulled on the stage at the magic show? I bet you would love to see one of the pictures Lee took of me. Sorry!