Jemison Family Trip to Gatlinburg

This year Ed decided it was time for us to take our first trip as a big family!  All the Jemisons were able to go, except Kevin, who is in Japan.  Jenny brought her boyfriend Chris, who on the way to the condos were were staying in, became her fiance!  So another Jemison wedding is forthcoming and we're all thrilled.  Chris is amazing.

We all arrived Saturday night and had shish kabob that Ed grilled.  We ended up eating really late and deciding to not do anything the next day.  So Sunday was very low key, getting used to our tiny condos and having pancakes in Happah's room.

On Monday we got up and went to one of the MANY pancake restaurants in the Gatlinburg area.  Then we headed to the aquarium, which was way bigger and more awesome than I was expecting.  Connor had a really good time, but was a little obsessed with the shark tunnel and splashing in the horseshoe crab tank. 

Chris and Riley

Sweet Catherine

Most of the group.

A sawfish laying on top of the tunnel.

Connor went through the shark tunnel 4 times.

Aunt Jenny and Uncle Chris!

Riley was not supposed to be up there, but he loved it.

Connor also loved the dinosaur exhibit.

Penguin tunnels!

Connor made me get in the tunnel with him.  It was super small!

High five!

Hug!

Aunt Megerz.

After Connor got up from his nap that afternoon, we took him down to the pool to try and get him used to it.  He has been very anti-pool so far this year, but after a few days of letting him get used to it, he was a natural!  He just needed to splash his hands and feet for a while and figure out that he could climb down onto the step by himself.  He's all about controlling his situations.

Hot-tubbing it.

Splashing feet.

Cousins reading "Pete the Cat."

The next morning, after a brief visit to the condo clubhouse to see some parrots, we went to climb Clingman's Dome, which is where Chris proposed to Jenny and is the second highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

View from the parking lot before the walking to the observation tower.

Patrick would push the stroller up the hill
and let it roll back to him.  Look at Connor's
face!

The Appalachian trail crosses over the Clingman's Dome.

Going up the observation tower.

After climbing up and back down in the chilly wind, we stopped at an overlook with some nice benches to eat a picnic lunch.  Connor and Riley were having a blast walking around and looking at streams, playing with the uncles, and snacking.

Cousin hug!  They were wearing matching shirts.

Wednesday morning, the parents (Ed and Marie, Matt and Jessica, Patrick and me) took the kids to Parrot Mountain and let the poor childless folk sleep in.  Parrot Mountain is kind of crazy place.  It's WAY up on the top of a hill, in the middle of the woods, and is filled with hundreds of tropical birds.

All the birds loved Ed.

Connor wasn't having the happiest time.
I'm not sure if the lack of sleep or food was getting to him.

All the birds that are the friendliest are on low perches.

Connor drank water out of this bird bath to no ill effect.

This cockatoo loved Ed's hat.

Matt played his flute for an admiring cockatoo.

Wednesday afternoon Ed, Chris, Jenny, Megan, and Matt went white water rafting while Patrick, Jessica, and I stayed back to watch over the kids and Marie.  We took them all to the pool and Connor really warmed up to it!  He and Riley had a good time walking around in the baby pool.

Thursday morning, Matt, Jessica, Patrick, and I went to go see the new Star Trek movie while Ed, Marie, Chris, Jenny, and Megan stayed with our kids.  They watched 2 movies and had unlimited snacks, so they were all pretty happy.  The adults said they were only upset for about 5 minutes after we left.  After the kids got up from their naps, we all went out to dinner, which was fun.  We went to a place called the Smoky Mountain Brewery and had good ol' American food, like pizza, pretzels, beer and hot wings.

Friday morning, Ed, Chris, and Jenny went out to see Star Trek.  I went to go lay down for a minute and ended up staying in bed until 12!  Patrick was hanging out with Marie and Connor, just having fun.  He said it was a very relaxed morning and Marie said Connor was "just terrific" 5 times.

Everyone reading books. 10 points if you can name Connor's book.

Friday night Jenny and Ed volunteered to take care of Connor so Patrick and I could go out for our anniversary!  We had a great time eating awesome food at the Cherokee Grill (Patrick had swordfish and I had a filet filled with boursin cheese) and then we went to the Space Needle and got frozen custard on the way back to our car.  I think Connor had a good time too since he got to hang out with his family and watch Totoro.  He ended up being pretty infatuated with Catherine, giving her hugs and kisses whenever he could.  She's basically the happiest baby in the world and his kisses made her smile and giggle a lot.

We had a great time on this trip!  Thanks Happah, for getting the rooms for us!  We look forward to seeing everyone again at Christmas, and that Kevin will be there too!  Also, we'll be introducing some of the family to young master Eamon then also!