Destination - Gatlinburg, TN

Yes, Caden wants to know why the heck I'm letting these crazy brothers hold him

This summer seems to have come and gone without "doing" a lot.  First, there was the birth of Caden Raleigh that hendered any big plans, and Second, Chris being in summer school, and having to do 6 weeks of clinicals, put a damper on anything major.  So, the minute he completed his summer classes we took off.  We didn't really have the time to hit the beach or go somewhere long distance, so we chose something a little closer.  Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge, TN.

We were able to crawl into this little hole and see the penguins up close

We only went for 1 night and 2 days (July 29/30, 2012), but made the most of it.  First, we hit Ripley's Aquarium.  The boys were SO excited for this.  All Carson talked about was wanting to see the sharks.  On our drive there he would point out every Aquarium sign and talk about the sharks.

Looking at the Flounder.  Later Carson told us these were one of his favorite (the fish that lived in the rocks)

Then when Chris lifted him (Carson) up to look over at the sharks he FREAKED.  He screamed and sat on the floor scared to death, I guess, that Chris was going to let him be eaten by the sharks.

Thankfully when we went downstairs and were underneath glass looking at them he was fine.

Tried to get Cooper but he refused

Next we went and checked in to our cabin.  It was so cute and cozy, we were impressed.  The cabin included a hot tub on the deck which was super nice.  The boys got to swim/play in it and then once they were asleep Chris and I were able to enjoy it.

After a little bit of relaxation, and Chris hitting up the knifeworks store, we headed to Texas Roadhouse (my favorite) for dinner.  Every time we go here (not often these days) I reminisce on the days when Chris and I were dating and this was definitely our top restaurant for eating out.

A guy walked around making balloons so Carson got a sword and Cooper got a monkey

Eventually we made it back to the cabin and got the boys to crash

This is why a railing is required for his bed

The next morning we got ready and went out to one of Chris' favorite places...Cracker Barrel.  You couldn't get a better breakfast anywhere, unless your lucky enough to live in Maine near Big G's.

Once we packed up we made a brief stop at the outlets (you can't go to Pigeon Forge and not stop there) and then headed to the Zoo.  I'm pretty sure that between the Aquarium and Zoo we saw every animal that exist.

Had to take a picture because the second rule is entirely too comical (and common sense)

The first animal we saw were the elephants.  Cooper was sleeping in the stroller and the lovely zoo keeper was spraying down the elephants area.  We stop to look and apparently he thought it would be funny to spray us, getting water all over Cooper and waking him up, which in turn started a 20 minute melt down.  Thank You! Zoo keeper.

I had to feed Caden so Chris took Carson to play on the Lion and Truck (Cooper was still in his contained melt down mode)

Finally we got a chance to just walk around the Zoo without much drama.



Carson and the copy cat Meerkat

 Carson wanted to smell the flower and got some leftover pollen 

 We headed home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.  Definitely the brief break we needed, and it felt like a lot longer than 2 days.  The boys really enjoyed it all and Carson still talks about the sharks he got to see.  A few days later he saw Talia and was telling her about them.  Then that night I heard him talking in his sleep for the first time ever and he was telling Talia that he would save her.  Then he woke Erin up (we were at her house) at 5 am huddled into a corner crying.  I'm fairly positive he was dreaming of sharks.