A day at Dollywood

Once again we were blessed with Dollywood tickets.  The college ministry at our church has a summer project in Pigeon Forge area every summer, so there are always tickets "around".  Our tickets expired on December 30th so we had to use them quickly!  We decided to go the day after Christmas.  The weather was pretty nice, but got super frigid once the sun went down.  We ate at the Apple Barn before we went to Dollywood.  Yummy!  The kids had a great day, and were a bit more adventurous riding "bigger" rides this time.  No roller coasters, though.  And, my favorite ride, which is a water ride wasn't open.  Mercy should be tall enough for my favorite ride next time we go.  I love that a lot of the rides at Dollywood have a low height limit!

oh, no!  He's behind wheels!  Look out!

waiting for the ride to start

Love this one!

on the elephant ride

Dollywood is always decorated well!

Christmas 2013

Josiah turns 8!

Josiah is 8!  Wow!  He is getting so big.  He opted to have a "family" birthday this year.  He didn't have school on his birthday, so he got to do anything he wanted (within reason of course).  (No trips to Africa to see lions or giraffes.)  We started out going to Burgess Falls to hike a little.  Surprisingly, it was a warmer day, which is rare during the winter months.  The kids had a blast walking on the trail to the waterfall.  I remember when they were toddlers and too little to walk on this particular trail.  They are definitely able to handle it now.  After the falls, the kids played on the playground for a little bit.  We were the only ones there, so it was relaxing to just sit and watch the kids play.  Mercy needs help doing somethings, but the boys can do everything themselves.  Josiah chose to go to KFC for lunch.  I tried to get him to choose maybe like a Blue Coast, but no luck.  All of the kids love KFC.  I had never been to the KFC (inside) in Cookeville before.  It was very big and clean!  After lunch we opened presents and then headed to the movies to see "Walking With Dinosaurs."  After the movie we did cake, well...Oreo pie and ice cream!  It was a great day!  We are so thankful for Josiah and how he is growing up.  He is thoughtful, smart, and has become quite the sport-lovin' kid.  The other day he said, "I am going to go to Upperman High School.  And then when I graduate I'll go to Clemson and play football.  I will probably get drafted after that.  Probably in the first round."  Love you, Josiah!

striking a pose!

looking for fossils

the smaller falls

attempt at a family pic

swinging away
He can pump himself when he swings!!

This is a typical Josiah shot...helping his Mercy Cate.
Mercy loves Josiah so much, she tells me sometimes that she wants to marry him.

At KYC

Dino Dig!
Josiah actually opened this one in the morning before the falls

Checking out the microscope

More fossil time

At the movies

Oreo pie

3 sweeties

Josiah's new bookshelf!

BTLOG 2013