Gatlinburg

While camping in the Smokies, we took a little trip to Gatlinburg.

The town was pretty much set up just for tourists and you go with the intent to spend money.

Materialism at its finest.

I only bought a piece of rock candy and admission to the Ripley's Aquarium. 

Which was AWESOME.

This is me endorsing it.

This exhibit was meant for children to crawl into.

But such details never bother Seth.

This penguin exhibit tunnel was also meant for children. We're becoming more and more alike everyday!

FYI, Seth hit his head on the top of that glass before this picture was taken. (meant for children...)

Seth's brother, Zac, is pointing out a penguin for you.

For some reason I find this picture hilarious.

But the best part of the aquarium...

...was the tunnel through the tank.

Thanks Ripley's Aquarium, for giving me something to do in Gatlinburg besides looking at weapons shops.

No, really. There are shops full of machetes and brass knuckles and knives and guns EVERYWHERE. And I was wandering Gatlinburg with three boys. Hence, it's the only other thing I looked at.

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Today is my SIL's birthday.

Rachel (and Isaac and their kiddies) were the very first people I met from Seth's family, just a month or two after we started dating.

I was very, very nervous for that dinner.

But I shouldn't have been, because Rachel is hilarious and bubbly and super nice, and I was not feeling nervous at all when I left.

And then she was there when I had to meet Seth's whole entire family at Christmas. But I was ok because at least Rachel would be there (and Isaac and their kiddies) and I loved hanging out with them.

And then Seth and I moved out here to North Carolina, and we moved into the same ward as Rachel and Isaac (not on purpose) and it has been awesome because I have Rachel to sit by during Sacrament meeting and Relief Society, and she is great fun to talk to.

Happy Birthday Rachel! 

Thanks for making all my transitions go a little bit more smoothly.

Camping in the Smoky Mountains

I survived. 

Although I guess it wasn't too hard, considering we camped at a commercial campground and had clean bathrooms and showers. That, and the fact that we used a blow-up air mattress led Seth to inform me that I was no longer really camping.

A fact I was ok with.

So here is a rundown of what we did:

Note: It seems like a long post because I put up a lot of pictures, mostly to appease my mother. Feel free to scroll through as quickly as you'd like.

Remember the daydream Albert has in the movie Hitch?

Seth doesn't either but he posed perfectly for it anyway.

This is Seth's Dad's mustang. Great fun to drive on back country roads with.

We hiked to Clingman's Dome...

...the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Went to Newfound Gap, followed by visiting Gatlinburg

Visited some waterfalls

Caught a crawfish

Visited an old mill

Visited an old old graveyard that only Seth's Dad knows about. (It pays to be a park ranger's son.)

And thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The Aftermath

Seth and I got back Saturday. We've spent most of today cleaning up this:

We dropped everything on the floor Saturday night and then spent Sunday just walking around it instead of picking it up.

I'll post about our trip soon.

This is how I know Seth isn't being productive.

Me: Hey, what are you doing?

Seth: (shifty eyes) ...Productive.

We're going on a camping trip tomorrow through Saturday. 

It's 10:45 and we haven't started packing.

Sometimes we are not very smart. 

Also, this is my first big camping trip (unless you count the time I went to Girl's Camp in Arizona. which I don't remember. So I don't.) and everyone is very worried for me.

I can't tell you how many shocked looks I've gotten from all of Seth's friends and family when they found out he was marrying a girl who had never been camping, as he is the poster child for it.

This picture clearly demonstrates our opinions on the subject.

But I am out to prove that all their shocked looks were for nothing.

Wish me luck.

I'm gonna need it.

Michael Buble

Tuesday Seth and I drove up to Richmond. 

The purpose? We had tickets to see Michael Buble. 

We went with my siblings Katie and David.

If you're wondering why the four of us decided to buy tickets together and go see Michael Buble, it's because the tickets were originally bought by my mother when she was planning to come out and visit my sister Amanda. 

Unfortunately Amanda decided she was going to fly to Mexico for the summer and then my mother decided to cancel her trip.

So Katie and I dragged Seth and David along. 

And I'm sure they are so grateful to us, because Michael Buble is wonderful.

It was an awesome concert.

Happy Birthday Seth

Dear Seth, 

Today was your 25th birthday. I still find it rather odd that you are supposed to be two whole years older than me. 

Maybe it's because you don't always act your age.

For example, today for your birthday we went to the Science museum.

And you did not seem to mind that you often got in the way of the little children who were enjoying the same exhibits as you.

Or there is the fact that I am writing this blog post just before we go to bed, instead of earlier today. Because when we got home you wanted to play video games.
Oh, and while I'm writing this, you're watching Looney Tunes on your laptop.

And let's not forget the basket of your toys sitting in our living room.

But that's ok, because your little boyishness is one of the things I like best about you. 

Along with your fabulous good looks. 

Happy Birthday.

Love, your wifey

p.s. Remember tonight when you asked me if I was only putting respectable pictures of you on this blog post?

I lied.

p.p.s. You know I could have put way, way more goofy pictures on here if I wanted. . .