Pigeon Forge

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.

Kate can smile!

Kate had her first real smile on August 23rd, at five weeks old. This is a picture a couple weeks later, grinning at Daddy. She is so cute when she smiles. She wrinkles up her nose and grins this huge grin. The best time to get one is right after she eats!

Sam's birthday

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....

I don't have a copy of these photos yet, but my Aunt Betty took lots of pictures of us last week. I will try to add the link to her blog so you can see some of them. This may not work....

http://www.c2drvryf.blogspot.com

Claire's b-day

Well, this is late but Claire had a great 5th birthday. We celebrated with some of her friends at Build-A-Bear Workshop. All the little girls made stuffed animals and then we had cake and snacks. She continued on with her birthday for several days by getting gift cards and gifts in the mail. I can't believe our first little five pounder is five years old.

And my personal favorite:

Kate made it clear that she was finished posing for the day.

Kate's First Photo Session

Kate was not very cooperative. She didn't cry, but she kept flailing her arms about, scratching her face, and making very odd expressions....she kept acting like a newborn! But, I got a good shot for her birth announcement, so she is off the hook for a while. I'm not posting it here, so you all will have to wait to see it on her announcement.