A Week's Worth!

First, I would like to apologize for being so long in posting. It seems I have encountered every “technical difficulty” lately including extra-slow dial up, no internet service in motels, crashed hard drives (the one holding all my pictures – so thankful for sites like walmart.com, shutterfly, myspace, facebook and a host of friends and family with whom I have shared pictures).

However, this past week with my family was wonderful! Just how many adventures, special moments, and good times can you capture in a week? I’m not sure since I’ve lost count but this past one was a chock-full, crammed-pack week for sure! How to write a highlights post and not a boring book is another dilemma. So here goes…

After a lazy morning around the house, Tuesday afternoon, we decided to visit the Kentucky Horse Park. A first for most of my family. (Isn’t it weird how we know so much about far off places but those closest to home we seldom visit?) Ever since I heard about the baby foals at the park I have wanted to visit so I was excited and think of all the photo ops. However…we got a late start (it’s vacation), stopped for lunch (gotta eat) and, subsequently, missed most of the “Special” programs or was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oh, and let’s not forget the park is under Major Renovation in preparation for the 2010 Equestrian Games so if you’ve not been, just wait and you will be happy you did. It will be a much better visit!

The day was not a total loss because we did get to see some of the horses practicing for an upcoming competition and we took a John Deere tour of the park. The park is large and picturesque and around the cascades, geese galore were gathered! The boys each rode a pony. Dawson cracked me up acting so big when he didn’t even hold onto the reins. Jaden was busy doing his “Spock” signing throughout his ride. But our little cowboy, Keagan, rode by himself. He was so serious and cute!

Later that evening, we had an early fourth birthday party for Keagan. He has waited a year to come to Kentucky to celebrate his birthday. But due to schedules and school starting, his family had to come before his August 22nd birthday. Thank goodness he is still young enough not to make an issue of the “Real” date but just enjoyed his Scooby-Doo party.

As we sang Happy Birthday to Keagy, you would have thought he was the shyest almost four year old. Maybe all the attention of singing Happy Birthday and lighting the candles four times…Yes four times…embarrassed him. It was so much fun watching him that we couldn’t resist singing over and over – the last was quite whacky! When it came time for the cake...only he could cut it!! Let me tell you the Chocolate Cream was out of this world! He really liked his Scooby Quilt and Pillow made by his grandma but was blown away when he received the money from his Ky savings account. All three of the boys seemed to love their story books of our June trip.

Thursday morning, just as soon as breakfast was over, Jaden, my middle nephew, wanted to celebrate his eighth birthday with an early party.

So Mom and Keagan transformed the kitchen into pirates complete with swords, head rags, eye patches, and lots of treasure! We didn’t have to sing Happy Birthday eight times for Jaden (thank goodness) because he was all about blowing out those candles and digging into the gift bags of loot! Since his was an ice cream cake and quite frozen, Kevin had to cut his cake and then Donna microwaved the pieces to make them edible. (We weren’t expecting to have ice cream cake at 9 am!!!)

Later that afternoon, everyone (except Jeanette who was working) – yes, even my parents and my granny, went to Lake Linville. We rented a pontoon boat to ride around the lake for a few hours. It was quite an “Adventure” getting everyone and everything on board. I have now been “ALL” over our lake...at least any portion that is boat accessible and the sad fact is...it didn’t take all that long! As we toured the lake, we discovered loons (maybe...I’m not a bird expert- okay maybe they were blue herons) all around and it seemed like we were chasing them since we were going around the coves. With their blue color, they were hard to see when sitting still but they were quite beautiful taking off and gliding across the lake. Although it was a hot, there was a cool breeze blowing as long as we were moving.

Finally, we found a shady spot so the boys could “fish” off the side of the boat! However, the only thing they caught was me!! Dawson is a bit of a wild caster and suddenly I found myself sitting there with a nice juicy worm and hook caught on my glasses!!! No one could help me because they were either too busy laughing or taking pictures – Really now!

As we made the final trek back to the dock, we each took turns driving for a bit...going in circles...catching up to the final loons!!! What a fun afternoon!

After we left the lake, we stopped by Renfro Valley to check out the shops, the schoolhouse, the chapel and to take some pictures. (I know...imagine that...
pictures!) Since Kevin proposed to Donna here in the Valley, it holds some special memories for them!

By the time we were finished there, the boys were hungry and very thirsty. So we went out to dinner at El Cazador’s where the band performed a birthday serenade for Jaden! How special is that!

One last stop on our way home: the cave at Sand Springs. The boys enjoyed this cave so much on their visit last fall that we had to make a quick stop to skip stones, big splashes, baby snail inspections and slippery surfaces. A great spot to cool off on a hot summer August evening. We stayed up quite late that evening: packing, making 3-D puzzles, laminating collector coins, and coloring – just enjoying each other and dreading the goodbyes awaiting the morning.

After my brother’s family left for home, Jeanette and I packed up heading to the Smokies for the weekend! Weekends without auctions are rare so I wanted to take advantage of all the photo ops awaiting my new Rebel! We were nearly in Gatlinburg and had made hotel reservations, when my cell phone rang. Kevin and Donna’s plans had changed so they turned around and came back to spend Friday night in Gatlinburg. Would we like to go to Unto These Hills – the Cherokee Drama with them? A few more hours with my family….a Most Definite…Absolutely Yes!!!

While Jeanette caught a few zzz’s since she had worked Thursday night, I played creekside with my camera. (See, it really doesn’t take much to entertain me). Later, my family picked us up and we were on our way to Cherokee, NC. On the way up the mountain, I discovered that “photo-op” addiction runs in our family! If possible, I think Kevin and Donna wanted to stop at more scenic pull offs than I did!

Almost to Cherokee, we saw a ton of cars just pulled off every which way. My first thought was a terrible accident had taken place but no! A family of Elk were grazing and resting right there by the highway. We saw the huge daddy elk first but after we calmed down in a moment (or two) we noticed the other two larger elks as well as two very young ones. It was totally amazing and scary to be that close with the wild creatures especially with their young close by. Do you know how hard it is to take pictures when your heart is racing and your hands are totally shaking in excitement?

With our Cherokee heritage, this spot in the Smokies holds a special place in our hearts. Donna nor the boys had never been to the outdoor drama so it was a new experience for them. Wouldn’t you know just as soon as we purchased our tickets, it came a gully washer, literally raining buckets full. What to do but buy some snacks and rain ponchos and wait out the storm.

After the worst was over, we found our seats and were transported back in time. Surrounded by the mountains with the steam rising and the birds singing, it was so easy to imagine the land of the Cherokee as the story unfolded. Several times, I caught all three boys sitting on the edge of their seat. For a rambunctious three (almost four), fidgety eight, and ten year olds to be so captivated throughout most of the drama, you know you got a winner.

Although the show had been updated since our last visit, the eagle dance is still one of my favorite parts. But I was still shocked speechless to find they had added lady eagles to the dance. Tears still come to my eyes as the Indians were herded from their homes down the trail of tears losing so many along the way. The surrender Sully and his sons to their death sentence in order to save so many is just beyond words. This drama is such a powerful reenactment. Don’t miss this drama the next time you are in Cherokee!

Saturday morning brought another wave of goodbyes. But first, Kevin and Donna insisted no trip to Gatlinburg would be complete without breakfast at the Pancake Pantry. This was one of the first pancake houses ever founded in Tennessee! And it was delicious! Each of us tried a different flavor: Donna had orange walnut pancakes, Kevin had Cherry Supreme Crepes and I had Apricot Lemon Crepes – so thin, light and yet fluffy. Jeanette choose silver dollar pancakes and the boys enjoyed the pancake boys!

Of course, if you are visiting the Smokies, the trip would not be complete without a bit of Shopping!! Each time we visit there is an array of new shops to check out! Soon, we could delay no longer, Kevin and Donna headed out…for home…leaving me and Jeanette on our own!! But that’s a whole other story!

Joy 2 u… “C”