Gatlinburg, TN

We had been wanting to visit Gatlinburg since my dad told us about it. Just never had time or resources to get that way. How lucky are we that it's en route to DC? Spent 3 fast nights here and covered as much ground as possible but not nearly enough!! So much to do! We didn't even touch all the outdoors stuff- rafting, camping, ATV, horseback rides,zip lines, hiking, history. We mostly hit up many of the family things to do- mountain coaster (gravity powered coaster down a mountain), Wonder Works, race tracks, food, arcades, Lumber Jack Feud show, moonshine (unexpected!)...not even time for the indoor pool at the resort! Had so much fun, though.

I'm not too sharp on my Smoky mountain history- wasn't expecting all the bluegrass hillbilly themes and it was hilarious fun with some interesting history!

Our resort: Gatlinburg Town Square (thank you timeshare)










Mountain coaster (we wasted no time after checking out the resort!)







Putt putt golf- a cart takes you up the side of the mountain to play!







Sky Lift









Lumberjack Feud dinner show! Our blue team (Dawsons) won :) Anna received a lumberjack cookie for cheering loudly!












LumberJill

Road Tripping to DC

Taking the family trickster to DC where it will stay for our family adventures through 9/30!










Dinner in Natchez, MS on the river. First night's stop: Meridian, MS.

FaceTime Play!

So thankful for technology that lets me join in on Anna's important stuff from afar. ❤️❤️❤️










And this has been Anna's BFF for the last few years. Cuties!

I'm 2 months into a temporary assignment in Washington DC AT NASA HQ. Will be there through September. There's a lot of travel back and forth for me and them but we are having many adventures! And many more planned!

Monday we will start our spring break by driving my truck up to DC with a few nights' stay in Gatlinburg, TN. My dad told us what a fun time they had when they visited so we've wanted to go since. We finally get our turn, and get to use some of our timeshare benefits!

View of the pentagon and Washington monument from my apartment balcony.




My running track (finally outdoor running after months on treadmill in cold weather!










Anna's first snow experience :)
















So fun but bring on spring!!!

She's 8!

Anna says it was the best birthday EVER because all her favorite friends made it to her party, which for the 8th year in a row, was held at the house (her request). She had been dying to show her friends her home and introduce them to each other. They had a blast.

We had Splash Kids come out for a painting session, and before and after the girls went wild with playing! So much love. Such a happy day!
























She also helped daddy make her birthday breakfast: bacon, biscuits with chocolate gravy, and homemade cheesy grits.

Tons of Littlest Pet Shop toys for her birthday- that's her new thing :)

What a weekend!!! This kid loves life. She tells us all the time!
Love love love!

Sweet girl

I owe so many updates, including why I'm sitting on a new apartment staring at the DC Skyline, but this I had to post right away. How are we raising such awesomeness?!






And an extra dose of sugar:

Last day of 2014!

And so much to catch up on here...will do soon! Life is good. This girl is our heart 💜💜💜

Too precious

I'm behind on updates but this is too precious not to post.

Not bad!

Had some "environmental" photos done at work last week, after I was motivated my some my co-worker had done. These didn't come out so bad, and I'm super excited to have the NASA and ISS stuff in the background! I love NASA! I wish I'd had these for the TedX Houston talk I did last year.