Smoky Mtns '12: Cades Cove, The First Time

Thursday we drove into the park on our way to Cades Cove. It was wonderful - there was absolutely no one in the park on Thursday. We only saw a handful of cars on our way to Cades Cove and even on the loop, we only saw probably 20 other cars and everyone was very courteousness about pulling over so others could pass. The boys loved seeing the horses and wild turkeys and we even saw a little baby deer with his mommy. But no bears. 

Smoky Mtns '12: Camping

Last Wednesday we hit the open road with Dziadziu's pop-up camper in tow and headed south. Our destination: The Smoky Mountains. Adam and I had been thinking of doing a trip for our 5th anniversary, but decided to do a family vacation to the Smokies instead. And I think it was the better choice. It was our first family of four vacation. The drive down was not too eventful. We stayed at a very nice campground east of Gatlinburg. It was very quiet and family oriented and had very nice amenities. 

Our campsite

 I bought some new bulldozer trucks for the boys to play with. They were a big hit. Ben would have been happy playing in the gravel all day.

 'You make me sit in the car for 9 hours? Now you need to feed me. Now'

 'Mommy - food. Now!'

Watching a really big 5th wheel park. They were both fascinated. The wife of the guy trying to back in the 5th wheel got the privilege of being the recipient of Ben's endless questions, but she was a good sport - she said she had a 3 year old grandson and was very familiar with interrogations. 

Eating pancakes and sausage for breakfast. Nick is making that face because he wants the sausage on Ben's plate. He would steal it from Ben's plate when he wasn't looking. No lie. Nick did eat as many sausage links as Adam.

Roasting Marshmallows

Last Saturday we went over to the Crafton's (little Ben's house) for a little backyard party. After playing with the kids and having fun, Ben roasted marshmallows with our neighbor Steve. I don't believe I was dumb enough to give Nick a marshmallow this time. Oh, no, wait, someone else did because I remember getting him home and in the light and wondering how the heck he was covered in sticky dirt from the crown of his head to the nape of his neck. That kid can get dirty in the most spectacular ways.

Oh My Darling, Clementine

The boys sharing a chair and a clementine. They only ate about 5 of them in the course of a few hours...

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Monkey see, monkey do. Ben climbs, Nick climbs. 

All wet and slippery, but yet, up we go

 Made it to the summit

 Look at me, mommy!

 Now, I must go up and over (at which point I put down the camera and removed him from the climber)

Sprinkler and Pool Fun

Last week the boys spent the afternoon playing in the sprinkler and pool. It was likely the last time this summer they will get the opportunity. Nick has finally come to appreciate the sprinkler and jumping on this brother in the pool

Was It Good?

I gave Nick a yogurt to eat by himself last week. I would estimate that about 1/3 made it to his mouth.

Who's That Baby??

Here is a picture of me and of Nick, both 17 months. My favorite is how we have the EXACT same hair. 

Photos by Ben

iPod photos by Ben. Some of them are pretty decent. He has some sun flare, some silhouette, some macro. Next we will work on composition and lighting. These things have got to win you extra points on preschool admissions tests, right?