Gatlinburg Vacation

Back on Sept. 11, Charles, Cameron and I started on our week-long vacation to Gatlinburg, TN. We drove the whole way, stopping for one night in a cabin at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in Waynesville, NC. Charles wanted to show me where he stays during his motorcycle trips so I agreed, not really knowing what I was getting myself into :) I am just thankfully we only had to stay one night in the cabin because I don't know if I would have lasted any longer! (FYI, it wasn't that bad, just really uncomfortable for someone who is 7 months pregnant!)

The "cabin" (more like a closet!)

Inside of the cabin features one very uncomfortable bed

These next few pictures are from our stop at the National Forestry Museum which was not far from our campground. It was the site of the first school of forestry.

The three of us in a helicopter simulation ride at the museum

Inside one of the old forestry classrooms

An old logging train (Cameron loved it!)

Ringing the train bell

After one night in NC, we headed the Westgate Smokey Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg. It was a BEAUTIFUL resort and we had a huge 1 bedroom condo. We really enjoyed ourselves!

The view from our balcony

Inside the condo (kitchen, dining & living room)

Cameron waving to the carousel at Ober Gatlinburg which is a ski resort in the winter and during the summer features lots of different rides and activities.
On the carousel

The three of us posing in an alpine sled

Charles and Cameron riding the ski lift (at Ober Gatlinburg) up to the alpine sled track. I was a little worried about Cameron going down the track but the sleds are made with brakes

Coming down the track

Cameron loved it!

This is a photo of the Wild Bear Falls indoor water park that was at our resort. We got in free for the week so we went for an hour or two just about everyday! It was a really nice water park with a huge kids play area, lazy river, big pool, 2 hot tubs and 2 big slides

Cameron playing in the kids area

Vacation photos, continued

My best friend, Kelli, and her son Weston who live just outside of Nashville, TN, came to visit us at the resort for a few days. We had a great time together and it was so nice of them to make the trip to see us!

During Kelli's visit we took the boys to a kid's amusement park in Pigeon Forge. It turned out to be a great place and both boys had a blast! They had lots of rides you find at amusement parks, just smaller so only small children fit on them.

Cameron on the kangaroo

Cameron and I on the train at the park


Cameron and Weston

The boys riding an airplane

I couldn't get Cameron to look at the camera! I was worried he may get scared being high up by himself but he never did. He has no fear!

On the horse

Swings

The boys holding hands, so sweet!

Hugs!

The three of us standing out front of our condo

Kelli and I with the boys

Before Kelli and Weston left we visited Ripley's Aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg. It was a really nice aquarium geared with lots of activities for children.

Here's Cameron petting a horse-shoe crab

Cameron inside the fish tank :) Children crawled underneath and stood up in a cylander inside the tank; what a neat idea! I posted a few of these pictures because I loved his expressions!

Wow!

Crawling through another cylander in the penguin exhibit. (You can see the penguins at the bottom of the photo.)

Cooking s'mores at the campfire at the resort. It was his first time cooking marshmellows and of course he loved it :) We stayed until the put out the fire and Cameron was so cute because as they were pouring water on the fire Cameron was blowing it out! He was trying so hard he was turning red in the face :)

Yummy s'mores!

(He actually only took about 3 bites and then just wanted the graham cracker.)

These last photos are of our visit to Santaland which is located in Cherokee, NC, about an hour south of Gatlinburg. They had a great petting zoo and more kiddie amusment rides like the other park. We had a nice time here.

Cameron feeding a deer

Here's Cameron looking down the tube at the bear. (You put the food in the tube and the bears catch it at the bottom.)

Feeding the sheep

On one of the many rides at the park :)

Riding the train around the park

Look at that face :) I think he's ready to fight some serious fires!

Cameron's Birthday, Part 1

Cameron turned 2 on Thursday, Sept. 2nd. I still can't believe it! We celebrated his birthday with a family dinner with my parents and Charles' sisters on the Tuesday before his birthday.

Cameron on his new tricycle from my parents and sister

Holding 2 dollars from his Aunt Cherryl and Uncle Marvin

I was so happy that he was interested in his presents and loved opening them!

With his firetruck from Charles and I

Chocolate cake that I made :)

I loved the look on Cameron's face when I put the cake in front of him!

Yummy!!