Aquarium of the Smokies

It' not a trip to Gatlinburg without a visit to the Ripley's Aquarium.

Gwynn looks scared that these jaws will come alive. 

If the kids look silly, it's because they're behind thousands of gallons of water.

An odd looking shark.

Luke doesn't know what to make of this walk under aquarium.

Luke trying to figure out what's going on with this area.

He figured it out - it makes a loud sound when you touch part of the box.

Scary!

Riveted.

"These are silly fish!"

Having fun so far.

"What's that guy?"

Huge crab!

BIG starfish.

Playing around with the penguins.

Luke's in love with these guys.

Trip to Gatlinburg!

After Christmas we'll often take a family trip to Gatlinburg. It had been a while since we've gone because the kids could be a pain, but we figured they'd do better this time.

Luke giving a pep talk to his "rescue heroes".

A nice view from the cabin.

Unfortunately, it wasn't very cold the first part of the week, so this sleigh picture is missing some snow.

On the strip in Gatlinburg with a big marble ball that the kids could spin around.

Donuts were a daily treat.

So cute, so OCD.

Luke snacking.

Mimi, Daddy,Gwynn and Luke playing cards.

"I can't believe I lost $100 playing poker"

Pie Face!

One of the gifts Santa brought was "Pie Face" which is a sanitized version of Russian roulette, but instead of a bullet, you get pie.

The fear is real.

It's all fun and games until somebody gets hit with cool whip.

Daddy got hit too.

Mommy too.

Even Pop.

You'll notice that no kids got hit, just adults. The kids wanted no part in playing.

Merry Christmas!!

Finally Christmas came and it was time to see what the kids got from Santa.

Gwynn lining up her stocking stuffers.

A Chick-Fil-A cow.

Uh oh... this looks like trouble.

Pop with a gift card.

Daddy showing off his new hat.

Luke with a custom-made Paw Patrol towel.

A cool new shirt.

After working up an appetite opening gifts it was time to eat some reindeer themed breakfast.

It was mild enough to eat outside on the back porch.

Back to the gift opening with Aunt Jen.

Jen explaining to Luke the usefullness of a gift you can't eat or play with.

Grandma with an exciting present.

Luke playing with some new dinosaurs.

Quite a set up.