Smokey Mountain Memories and Welcome Home Daddy!

This spring has been quite hectic for the family. Chris has been to both Budapest, Hungary and Cebu, Philippines in the past two months. During this time, I have also completed 20 student teaching observations and parented a 4 year old and an infant. Whew! I get tired just typing this. For the reasons listed above, the old blog has taken a backseat for a time. I am happy to come out of blogger hibernation to provide loved ones with the ups and downs that have occurred since February. One of the highlights of this time was our trip to the Smokey Mountains for Spring Break. Due to Chris's unexpected absence, I had the "honor" of taking Leah on her first vacation as a single parent. Luckily, Chris's family went with us. We had a fantastic time relaxing in the mountains, shopping, swimming, and being a total tourist. What fun!
We stayed in Chris and my favorite lodging in the Smokies. The Preserve Resort. It is about 20 minutes outside of Pigeon Forge near Townsend, Tennessee. It is so remote that you can't help but relax (once you have climbed the mountain and pried your fingernails out of the dashboard). I have become used to the climb and enjoy it more each time I visit.
Here are the cabins. They are fairly new, and all three floors are ours!
Sarah is so excited to finally have arrived. She couldn't believe we made it in one day! (I guess most of her vacation memories included an overnight stop).

Here is our beautiful view. Even though the forest is not quite green, it was beautiful anyway. I think Sarah's beauty rivals the mountains, but I am biased!
Sarah and "My Amy"
Leah was not quite as happy to pose for the photo as was Sarah, I am sure I will get many beautiful smiles in the years to come.



Our photo session continued. We just don't take the opportunity for family photos very often.

Charles, Jo Ann and the grand kids. I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have such supportive and loving in-laws.





Mamaw and her girls.

What a poser. Between her artistic skills and her interest in fashion and posing, I am thinking I will be the parent of a model or designer!

Our other beauty. What a sweet little face!

Leah is becoming much more active of late. She is reaching for EVERYTHING and loves to put her toes in her mouth! She is also sitting up unassisted (at least for a few seconds at a time, but it's a start). Her other favorite past time is screaming (her sister loves to scream back and I don't see this ending anytime soon). She also sings herself to sleep. It is adorable!

She does not like lying back at all. She pulled herself to sitting while I was trying to feed her cereal! This seems to be her only perk from living with 5 months of reflux. All that sitting up strengthened her muscles!


Sarah and I took some time to shop at the local outlet malls. Sarah is falling in love with shopping (I can hear the money flying out of our bank account as we speak). She has an opinion about everything she wears. The last time I took her to Gymboree, she preferred to shop with me rather than watch the cartoon in the store..Yikes! Sarah's newest milestone occurred at the water park. She began swimming underwater unassisted. She is so proud.

Our four days came to an end so quickly! I was not looking forward to the drive home and 6 more days of single parenting. We left on Easter morning, so the Coleman clan loaded up and attended church in Knoxville at the Laurel Church of Christ. Chris and I visit there often. We love the singing, fellowship and especially the preacher. He is honestly one of the best speakers I have ever heard!
My little cutie looks just like a baby doll! Thanks Julie for this adorable outfit!

I was so happy to be able to attend church with Chris's parents and sister. What as special blessing!

The Coleman girls clean up pretty well!


Sarah loves to dress up, even at home. She has worn this dress and sweater on many occasions just to spin around and look at herself in the mirror. What a girl! She was so excited to have a chance to finally wear it to church!

Half way home, we took a break to let everyone stretch their legs. Sarah spent her time playing at the McDonald's Play place, Leah on the other hand, relaxed in aunt Amy's arms.

Once home, I begged my mom to come down for a few days. She was happy to visit with the girls.


Leah loves the warm weather. Her mood changes from mad to happy within seconds of moving to the front porch.

Now for the main event. After a two week absence, we decided to surprise Daddy at the airport. I had tears when Sarah came out of her room dressed in her favorite dress and hat to welcome home Daddy. She told everyone who would listen about how long Chris had been gone, and how he was going to "blow her belly button" when he returned. I was not the only one in the crowd who was teary eyed when he descended the escalator. There were actual cheers when she ran to him! How special.

All is right in the world...Daddy's home!

Chris was so happy to hold Leah in his arms.

Smiles all around. I am so glad we decided to come to the airport!

Sarah's traditional ride on the luggage. I wonder when she will grow out of this?

The Coleman girls couldn't be happier to have our"Prince" return.

More to come (hopefully sooner rather than later) :)