Sam started celebrating a week early. He decided instead of a party he would rather go race go-karts at the Nascar Speedpark in Pigeon Forge, TN. Sounded great to me....no party planning. He raced and raced all weekend. The next weekend of his actual birthday he had his first soccer game. So we all got up early for him to open gifts before his game. We took a cupcake cake to the game to share with all of his teammates. Then we spent the rest of the day spending gift cards that he had received. His main gift was a new Nintendo, so he bought several games and hid away all afternoon playing. It was quite nice and peaceful that day for some reason....
Here are some shots from our trip. We went to Dollywood one day. Sam enjoyed all the big rides and Claire did all the little kid rides. It was stinking hot, so Kate and I enjoyed the air-conditioned nursing mother's rooms as much as possible! I am impressed with Dollywood. We have been before, but prior to that I had misconceptions about it being really redneck. It isn't at all. It is really well-kept and has lots to do. Thumbs up. Anyway, the next day on the way home we stopped at a place called Wonderworks. It is a building built upside down. That really has nothing to do with what's inside, so I guess it is just an attention-getter. Inside is a hands-on science/discovery center. The kids liked it, but Kate was fussy so I didn't get much out of it. 
