NYE at the Opryland Hotel

Nana has always taken Mariah to the Opryland Hotel for winter photos. This year David was invited for the fun. He got a little scared of the noisy waterfall (photo 4 - Who looks more upset, Nana or David?). But he rallied late for some good pics.

Baby Steps

Bryan took some time before work to help David practice walking. Spicy was there for encouragement. Later she was there to help him catch some well earned zzzz's.

6 a.m.: The Wiggles

When David gets up in time to see the Wiggles, he really likes to listen to the music. Here he is getting his day started.

GO TITANS! Win and We're In.

Bryan and David are excited for the game tonight. The Titans play the Indianapolis Colts. If the Titans win they go to the playoffs. Go Titans!

David's Friends

David's Aunt Ginger bought this mobile for him before he was born. Recently he has really started to enjoy it. We call the stuffed creatures his friends, and he will just lay in his crib and stare and laugh at them. They spin around and play classical music. He also likes holding hands with his monkey, a really soft gift from Aunt Kathy. Thanks Ginger and Kathy!

Now We're All Caught Up

These photos are actually from the date listed with the post. Maybe you noticed that we loaded a ton of photos and seperate entries all in just a couple of days. We wanted to get all the photos we had posted in order before we just start posting new things daily. Did you notice how many more photos we had once Hollie got her camera?
We have had a lot of fun getting our blog up and running – just ask David.
Keep checking back, we plan on posting a lot. Plus it's a great way to keep up with us on your schedule.

Mommy Loves My Feet

My dad's crazy!

Hollie and Bryan agree, he's got cute feet.

Bryan's mom Susan helped get the tummy mat. David loves playing on it and grabbing and knocking at the mobiles above him. He recently started rolling over from his stomach to back, but he's not consistant yet. Thanks to Nana for the mat.

Just a Couple of Cute Photos

David can sit up like a big boy. Thanks to Bryan's mom for the BebePOD - Baby's First Seat. David likes sitting in it and looking around the room.

Spicy Finds the Perfect Spot

I think she wants to help unpack.

Back to our routine

David started to unwind after all the excitement of the trip, and Hollie is really getting in to the new digital camera she got for Christmas. David is her muse.
Check out the cool t-shirt in the second photo. It was a Christmas gift from his cousin Kelly. Thanks Kelly!

The Ride Home

After a necessary bottle stop a nap was in order. Excitement is in the air as we arrive home. I wonder if the dogs missed us?

Smoky Mountain Christmas: Day 5

We got up early in the morning. We were up in time to watch the sun rise over the mountains. It was our last chance to take in the beautiful view. Then we loaded up our cars, said our final good-byes and hit the road. Kevin and Dawn were nice enough to take Daniel back to Knoxville, and Rosemary hitched a ride with us to Nashville. It was a fantastic voyage and we enjoyed it very much. We love all you guys!

Guitar Hero

We picked up Daniel and Rosie on Christmas Eve. Daniel brought his Play Station and the game Guitar Hero. Besides Daniel we were all novices at best or never played before. The game proved to be quality entertainment for all. Kevin and Rosie developed carpal tunnel in their wrists from all their game play. Susan was a natural. Bryan thought there was an actual live audience and rocked out like a nut. Mariah got in on the action. Steven brought the house down with his skills. But, it was Daniel who just leaned back and showed us how to play Free Bird on difficult. We hear there's some labels out there looking at signing him.

Smoky Mountain Christmas: Day 4 - Christmas!

David woke us up early for a bottle, but Mariah was already up and staring at the gifts Santa left the night before. Before long everyone was up and in their new pajamas. We went and got Daniel and Rosey then came right back to open gifts. David got a lto of great stuff from his Aunt Kathy, Uncle Steve, Kelly and Steven, Nana, Kevin, Mariah and Dawn and Rosie and Daniel. Hollie and Bryan got snowman poop (marshmellows). After gifts we had tasty sausage balls.
We hung out all day. We watched TV, played Guitar Hero, talked, ate, got in the hot tub and just had an all-around fun time. It was the perfect Smoky Mountain Christmas.
That night we took Daniel and Rosey to their room. We snapped a picture of themm in front of the lobby decorations. On the way back to the cabin we had to get a shot of the "Old Mill" lights on the hill. Back at the cabin we packed up and got ready to head home the next morning. There was also a fierce game of Monopoly.

Smoky Mountain Christmas: Day 3

Christmas Eve is here! We got up and early and drove to Knoxville, Tenn. to pick up Hollie's siblings Daniel and Rosemary. We got them a room in Pigeon Forge, but mostly they were at the cabin with everyone else. Once we got them checked into their rooms, we headed out for lunch and go-cart racing. We met Steve, Steven, Kevin, Dawn and Mariah at T.G.I. Fridays in Pigeon Forge. Here Steve most graciously picked up the check for all of us. You da man Steve!
After lunch it was time for serious racing. We did a total of three different tracks. Everyone did good and bad, depending on the cart you were in. I don't think we will ever outgrow go-cart racing.
Back at the cabin we enjoyed another great meal. Bryan's mom Susan and Aunt Kathy really went all out on the food. Every meal was delicious. Big thanks to Susan and Kathy.
Then we all enjoyed some more family time and opened a few gifts. Everyone got new pajamas for Christmas morning. After, we took Daniel and Rosey to their hotel and came back to bed. We heard Santa was on his way.

Smoky Mountain Christmas: Day 2

After our first night sleeping in the cabin, we left David with his Nana and Aunt Kathy and went for a drive around the Great Roaring Fork Nature Drive inside the Smoky Mountains National Park. We stopped at Bud Ogle's old cabin and got a few pictures next to it. Then we drove further and found the nature drive was closed for the winter. Not deterred, we drove around a little neighborhood we like in the heart of Gatlinburg. While there we came upon 12-14 wild turkeys roaming the yards. We had to get pictures for visual evidence of the encounter.
Then we headed back to the cabin to hang out with family and watch the Titans game. We had a good time with the family that afternoon.

Smoky Mountain Christmas: Day1

This Christmas, Bryan's mother, Susan, and her sister Kathy, rented a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tenn. We left early Saturday morning and stopped in Knoxville, Tenn. to visit with Uncle Daniel before heading on to the mountains. Aunt Kathy, her husband Steve, their childern Kelly and Steven and their dog Jack, all drove down from Detroit, Mich. It was a long drive and when they arrived Steve was exhausted. It was their intial meeting of David. Bryan's brother Kevin and his daughter Mariah and his girlfriend Dawn also came. Needless to say, a big cabin was needed.
The cabin was great. We go to the Smokies about twice a year, and we've never been in a cabin with a view of the mountains like this one. The view was spectacular!