Tennessee Destination

Almost every summer and spring break of my childhood included riding bikes around the 11-mile loop of Cades Cove, and I was so happy to get to take Ella and James for the first time Friday night.  

We saw more deer up close and personal than I think I've ever seen before, but the kids were most excited about riding without seat belts and driving with the windows down.

They were the sweetest kids and the best travelers all day.  I decided to hike up to the John Oliver place to give them a chance to stretch their legs.  I have the cutest kids.

I was glad I brought the tripod and could hop in a few pictures with them.  This was their first time to see a log cabin, I think.
 

James opened the window and made himself right at home.  He was being such a good "cheeser" for me.
 

 See what I mean?  Cheeeese!!

 Closest I've been to a Buck

I was so afraid these three would all run away when I got out of the car.  James had started playing with a car and dropped it out of the window, so I had to pull over and get out to rescue Finn McMissile.  I got out of the car right in front of them, and they didn't appear too put out about it.  After fetching Finn I stooped down for a few pictures.

I'm so thankful I got to take them, and I can't wait to go back.  Maybe next time we can ride bikes.

Home Again

We are home again after a spur-of-the-moment decision that it would be easier to drive home through the night with the kids last night, so I'm about to go join James for a nap, but here's a little afternoon treat for your reading pleasure:  Ella blogged!  See a few highlights from her trip.

A Little Glimpse of Saturday and Sunday

A quick picture by the Little River before leaving Saturday

I wish we could have stayed longer in Townsend,

but I'm so glad for seeing a glimpse of Fall there.

A little stop in Mayberry

Ella was a little unhappy because she wanted to drive

straight to John David's.

A Little Brother trying to cheer up his Sister

Sunday's Dawn

Fall Fun with Cousins

Pizza on the Porch

New Baby

It's been a whirlwind, but we're really glad we went on this adventure.

My Two Pumpkins

Last Friday when James was fully recovered from his stomach virus, and it was clear that none of us were going to come down with it, we took an afternoon trip to the pumpkin patch. 

I realized that I'd never actually taken my kids to pick out a pumpkin.  They've been with their grandmother, Ella went with her Uncle and cousins the year before that, and the year before that I'd just had James, and T left a beautiful pumpkin on our porch as a welcome home gift.  So, my first time.

When Ella was a baby I called her my little "punkin," which on occasion got shortened to little punk, and then I would laugh because it sounded so wrong to call my little roly-poly baby a punk.

They had a really good time, and we picked out the perfect pumpkin...which I just realized hasn't been photographed.  I was too busy hefting it to the checkout while holding a camera and making sure James stayed close by, since he absolutely refused to hold Ella's hand.

 He walks alone.

I was trying to think of things that made Ella smile naturally.  This smile came at the mention of Animaniacs.  She has good taste.  Other television that has made her laugh this week?  The Andy Griffith Show.  I put it on one night during dinner, and she complained but soon after was rolling with laughter over Barney, Gomer, and Earnest T. Bass.  It took one night to make her a devoted fan.

James was prevailed upon to get close to his sister one more time.  He really does love her.  We welcome you, Fall!  I've been buying anything with pumpkin in it...Pumpkin Pie Yogurt, Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese...I love marketing.

One Year Ago

So I'm almost (but not quite) done blogging through our trip.  And one year ago today we did it.  We boarded a plane, left our two children behind, and flew across an ocean.  For someone that barely leaves her house during the week (or her children!), that will forever be a big deal.  And unexpectedly, it turned into more than a vacation but a feeling that somehow our future lives might be intertwined with that wonderful island.

One More Thing About James

Sunday morning we were all piled in the car, heading to church, on time, one of those Sundays where things are actually going pretty smoothly.  KJ said, "I sure do love everybody!"

I joined in with, "I love everybody, too!"

James then proudly declared, "I like Mommy!"

Hahaha...that made my day.  It was so funny.

Tonight at dinner Ella said something about loving KJ and being glad he was home.  Once more James added to the conversation, "I like Mommy!"

I think I might be his favorite.

 

My 3-Year-Old

While of course the nostalgia makes my heart ache, it's really fun and exciting having my baby get older.  He's talking and communicating intelligibly more than ever.  I'm able to take him out more easily and often...though it is still exhausting because of his boundless energy.  Still, he behaves so much better than his two-year-old self, as he should.
 

 My goodness, he looks big in that picture.  He hangs on to the side of the buggy when we walk through the grocery store.  He likes to play games, look at flashcards, and he even spent a good amount of time learning how to trace things in a new workbook I got him last week.

 I think he's cuter than ever; that's for sure.  He's turning into such a boy, too, in his absorption in playing Mario games on the Wii.  He holds the controller steady, with eyes fixed on the screen.  He is not, however, old enough to not cry huge crocodile tears when Da-da and Ella beat him or when he dies.  But that's okay.  He's still a little bit of a baby.

He loves to pretend and imagine things. Even when he was sick last week he spent a lot of time playing pirate.  I like listening to him talk as different characters.

I love him.