Vacation to Gatlinburg

Last weekend we embarked on our first family vacation with just the three of us.  It was nice to feel like our own little family and just enjoy spending time with one another.  Where do you take a one year old???  Our conclusion - Gatlinburg, TN... and it was just right for her.  We packed up and headed out Saturday morning.  Ivey was in charge of making sure Fufu made it in the car.

We stayed at a nice little motel near the strip.  It was a great location.  Ivey made herself right at home!

She loved to find the ducks each day when we walked past the creek...

 No trip to Gatlinburg is complete without at least 2 trips to the Log Cabin Pancake House.  Ivey loved the atmosphere there and rocking on the front porch chairs!

One day we went to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.  This was by far Ivey's favorite part of the trip.  For those of you who have seen her shocked look, let's just say that her face stayed like that for most of the time.  This was the perfect age for her to visit.  She learned two new words while there... shark and penguin.  However, "shark" was much more prominent.  She was enthralled by these creatures... so much we just had to buy her a stuffed shark in the gift shop.  Now we have our very own "Bruce the Shark." 

 Look at her lips... she is in mid "shark."

 She couldn't find the sharks and was saying, "Gone."

 But then another one came back!!!!

 She loved sticking her hand in with the crabs!

 Daddy actually picked one up!

 Posing with a penguin...

 "Come on, Daddy... I want to see more!"

 Love the manta rays!

 Petting the "bear" outside the motel.

 Ready for swimming!!!!

 So beautiful!!!!

 Cool cats ready for shopping in Piegon Forge... they were both troopers as I did some shopping!

 Loving on Bruce the Shark...

 Another day we took in just the beautiful landscape that God created.  We drove into the National Park.  We did some driving and walking around in Cade's Cove and then over into Cherokee, North Carolina.

 "But I want to walk off the beaten path, Daddy..."

 Tuckered out from all the walking and playing...

 Amazed by the Cherokee natives performing music and dancing...

 A little bit of game time in a local arcade....

 Back into the mountains...

 Now some silly time!!!!

 And some mad time....

 One day we had nothing planned and just relaxed.  Ivey feel asleep while we strolled around and bought some excellent pastries from the Donut Friar! Yum!!!!

 We made wishes before throwing coins into the fountain... wishing we would have many more years of wonderful vacations!

 On the trolley going to The Peddler.... our stomachs were growling with anticipation!!!!

 Ivey absolutely LOVES salad... she really showed this night!!!!

 Using both hands... she couldn't shove it in fast enough.

 Our last night on vacation...

 Packed up and ready to head home....

 Fufu... check... luggage... check.... great vacation.... check!