Summer recap: Pigeon Forge

Since it's October tomorrow, I figured I should finish the summer recap (um hello september went fast!) Back in August, all the BFF's drove 10 hours, and we drove 4 over to Pigeon Forge, TN. It was a trip we had been planning and looking forward to for a while. We knew it would be crazy with 8 adults and 9 children 4 years old and under! It actually wasn't as chaotic as we expected thanks to two 4 year olds that entertained each other beautifully, two well behaved (well sometimes :) 2 year olds, and four mild mannered babies.  We had an absolute blast. The setting was beautiful in the mountains and house was plenty big for all of us. Gatlinburg is, well, an interesting tourist trap. I am hoping we go back sometime when the kids are older and we can do go carts, putt putt, and a gondola ride. Our activities this trip were a little more young kid friendly. We went to the Aquarium, a total hit with all the kids (and parents). We were thankful we went on a weekday when it wasn't so busy. We went on a hike (not as successful). Two year olds hiking uphill two miles = daddies (and mommies in my case since mark had V in the bjorn) with sore backs. We never ventured out to a restaurant. Can you IMAGINE..."we will have a 17 top please, with 7 high chairs, thanks", but we did make some good meals at the house (mainly Shane's burgers with the Cooks fancy beef that were AMA-zing), and we did go out to ice cream too. The adults spent the evenings drinking, playing Card Against Humanity, and we finished off the trip by pouring an entire trash can full of ice water over Eric's head for the ALS ice bucket challenge.  I am hoping these family trips will be an annual occurrence!

Violet 11 Months!

It was a big month for V! Her two top teeth sprouted so now she has 4 total. More importantly, she started walking. It is not her main mode of transportation yet, but she can take several steps and her balance is getting better. She is so proud of herself about it! She's a feisty one and cries if you take away something from her. Also, she makes beeline for the stairs and then gets so MAD if you close the gate. She loves to climb. We are dealing with our first cold from nursery school. Fall is such a great time of year, and I'm excited to celebrate Violet turning one this fall. Can't believe we will only be doing one more of these monthly photo shoots.

                                                                                  "hi"

she sure has gotten taller in two months...