Smoky Mountain Getaway

Troy, Tristen, and I just got back from the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! We had a great time! We stayed at the same cabin I rented last year (in Wears Valley) from Saturday until Tuesday. We had planned to go to Dollywood, but it was closed on Monday and Tuesday so we missed it.

Saturday night we went to Gatlinburg and looked in all the cute shops, drank hot caramel-apple cider, and then rode the ski lift. The view was amazing! Sunday we went to Cades Cove and saw a ton of wildlife. I bet we saw over 100 turkeys and deer. We even saw two bucks fighting! Troy says they were in "rut." It was a little sprinkly so we had a picnic in the car! We relaxed that night at home in the cabin and had spaghetti and then chilled out in the hottub.

Monday we wanted to go to Dollywood, but they were closed (I was SO mad because I checked the online calendar and didn't see that). So instead, we rode around, rode go-carts, shopped at the Pigeon Forge outlets, and headed back to the cabin for a bonfire and roasting marshmellows. That night we went to the Dixie Stampede, a dinner attraction. They served an arena full of people roasted chicken, potatoes, soup, corn, and apple pie dessert (you had to eat with your fingers) while we watched a Christmas performance (they were on horses and told the Christmas story). It was a lot of fun!

Tuesday morning we went riding horses on the mountain side. It was so much fun--made me want a horse! But I was sore the next day from riding! We ended up leaving a day early because I was afraid I wouldn't get everything ready for Thanksgiving (at our house). It was a nice, little family trip!

Troy would kill me for posting this!

Roasting marshmellows at our cabin's firepit.

While walking around Cade's Cove, we found this barn and Tristen had to climb the haybales.
Wild Gobblers!

Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

I like this one! For the novice turkey-roaster, such as myself...
Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

Doesn't this look tasty...I subscribe to this email daily. Lots of good stuff!

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

National Peanut Festival

Mom called earlier this week and wanted to take Tristen to the National Peanut Festival fair, so he and I left Saturday afternoon to meet them. Rodney's daughter and son-in-law and their precious children were there also, as well as his parents, so we had a house full! Tristen LOVES to visit there. He can go fishing, ride the four-wheeler, and just talk to Mr. Rodney.

We left around 4 for the fair and had a blast. It was COLD!!! Forty-five degrees! My favorite part was the petting zoo and the pig races. Tristen had fun with all of us! We really missed Troy, who had to work :( boo. Tristen shot the bb-machine gun and won a gigantic dragon. We ate roasted corn, boiled peanuts, pizza, and of course, funnel cakes! We had a good time.

Sunday afternoon we went to Grandmama's to celebrate her 91st birthday! Her birthday is November 3rd. She is doing great and getting along reasonably well for a 91-year old. Everyone was there, including Susan's family. Bo and Blake are too cute!

Riding the Himilaya

Tristen riding the mechanical bull...

Shooting the BB/Machine Gun to blow the star out..

The gigantic dragon prize

Post-op meal

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Sharp Shooter

We decided to practice shooting the guns this afternoon! When I was in college, Daddy got me two pistols to keep at my trailer and in my car (I had a pistol permit at the time). We practiced shooting them and then I put them in the drawer and didn't take them out until today! (Well, except that one time at the beach, Jill & Drew will remember....;) ).

I was scared to death and started acting crazy, but Troy made me calm down and we loaded the little pistols and shot a target! I actually did pretty good! I hit the target everytime and got in the black near the bullseye the last few times. It was fun shooting!

This does NOT mean, however, that I will be shooting animals, i.e., deer, dove, turkeys, or whatever else. I still can't stand the thought of that!

And this is when I said, "Freeze Sucka!"

Troy actually hit the bullseye, but those others are mine!

Getting our house together!

I'm so happy to have a wonderful husband! We are actually doing things together that "real" married couples do, and are loving it! We're having the best time getting our house together. We've been saving for new furniture and some of it arrived! We got a new leather couch and loveseat and our chair has been ordered. I took a personal day Friday and Troy and I went rug/table shopping in Montgomery. We found a beautiful rug at the Rug Depot (?) on Wetumpka Highway. I love it! The owner asked if we were newlyweds and gave us each a book, The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband. He told us to read ours and then swap. So far I've read the first chapter and I'm really into it! I thought that was so sweet of him to give them to us.

We haven't had any luck finding coffee/end/sofa tables yet and went to almost every furniture store in Montgomery. But Troy saw some in the Rooms-To-Go catalog so I'm going to check it out today.

When our new chair and ottoman arrive, I'll post pictures! We ordered it in a fabric with lots of red/gold/brown. I think this is it...

Here are some pictures of our new furniture! (please don't think I'm bragging! Just excited about my new home)

Troy loves grilling on the new deck (that he slaved over)! It's so relaxing to sit outside in the evenings and have a glass of wine or coffee in the early morning!