Playing Outside

After getting the mail, Wil and I usually play for a bit outside. Today, he decided to stand tall under the dogwood tree.

Warming up to Uncle Jeff

If you did not know, Wil has never enjoyed Uncle Jeff in his home. He turns red-faced and wails! Aunt Beverly & Uncle Jeff were in town this week, and stopped by..... The usual happened (above), but I was holding him and we took one step by one step toward Jeff. Here's the result.

A TOOTH, finally!!!!!!!!!

On Sept. 22nd, it was discovered...Wil's first tooth has popped through! YEAH!!!

Our Fall Family Vacation 17

Happy Birthday to Mom (9.21)---the big one, 3-0! Thanks for a great celebration, everyone! Mom, thanks for my favorite cake, again!



Wil enjoying Grandfather feeding him!

Our Fall Family Vacation 16

We also took in Marble Springs, Gov. John Sevier's Home in Knoxville. (After we got married, we lived just a few miles from this site. Bryan has wanted to visit since.)

Our Fall Family Vacation 15

More of the aquarium. For dinner we met up with Stephen Carter for dinner in Pigeon Forge. (After dinner we visited with our friends, Ruby & Rob Sherrill in Sevierville. They were able to meet Wil for the first time. Sorry, no pictures, though!)
Wil having fun!
Petting a horseshoe crab.
Wil and Bryan with the fish.
Seeing how tall he is this fall.
Bryan, Wil, and Stephen --Stephen it was great to see you after five years! Thanks so much for taking time out to visit with us and meet Wil!!!

Our Fall Family Vacation 14

Following Clingmans' Dome, we went back to the aquarium in Gatlinburg. Wil LOVED it! It was such a treat to see him enjoy it all.
Wil waving his hands in the air like crazy when he saw the first tank of fish!
We three.
Sitting by catfish.
Dad and Wil under a shark.
A beautiful jellyfish.

Our Fall Family Vacation 13

After breakfast, Mom and Dad headed to Knoxville while we went to Clingmans' Dome.
Pretty berries among the green.
The growing peanut.
The peanut out of his shell, climbing to the top.
The Myers made it to the top of the overlook!
The view.....

Our Fall Family Vacation 12

After our time at Blackberry Farm, we headed to Knoxville. On Friday, Sept.19, along with Grandmother and Grandfather Dalton, we went to Gatlinburg to have breakfast at The Pancake Pantry!
Grandfather took this picture from the second floor of The Pantry.
Wil making a (regular, now) funny face.
Wil with Grandmother and Grandfather Dalton outside, near the taffy pulling machine.
Myers in the Fall decorations.
Neat scarecrow. Look carefully, a bucket for a head and plungers for feet. What else may be "different"?

Our Fall Family Vacation 11

Here are a few last images of our time at Blackberry Farm.
Our last lunch....
Bryan enjoying some more lemonade in the rocking chairs.
Me down at the pond. This is what I was missing in Kenya--the beautiful mountains!

Our Fall Family Vacation 10

[Free] activities at Blackberry.....
Cycling around Blackberry's many acres.
HA, I slipped in another view.....
While cycling, we passed the quaint chapel.
After hiking, back at the trail head.
View of Old Walland Pond.

Our Fall Family Vacation 9

Blackberry Yum and Fun...
Our lunch table with mixed berry lemonade and a beautiful view!
Playing the guitar they furnished.
One of my FAVORITE things to do EVER, swing! I'll never forget this one--in the mountains!
Bryan giving it a try.
Another gorgeous view!

Our Fall Family Vacation 8

For the next part of our vacation, you can "x" the family part. When we left the park, we headed toward Maryville, but stopped in Walland. To my surprise, Dad was there to pick up Wil. I had no clue where Bryan was taking me, but I was looking forward to it. (I LOVE SURPRISES!!!) For my 30th birthday and a belated 5 year wedding celebration, Bryan booked a night at Blackberry Farm! It was such wonderful medicine for my soul! (The food was even better!!!)
The entrance.
This is the living area of our cabin. (The over-all picture of our cabin can't be read for some reason.)
One of the many views of the beautiful Smoky Mountains!
Since they knew it was my birthday (early), I was presented with two warm, more than delicious cookies! I gave one to Bryan. We devoured them.