Tweetsie Railroad

Sit tight.....this one's going to be the big one!

Our fun-filled day at Tweetsie Railroad began very early! I don't think I've ever been to an amusement park quite like this and I'm sure I was not acting my age! Tweetsie is an real coal-fired steam engine from the early 1900's, or maybe even earlier, that traveled through the Blue Ridge Mountains and it is now the center of park. I could go on and on about the history which I think is so interesting, but I'll save you. So, if you're ever in North Carolina I highly recommend this, we all just had a blast!!!!

We arrived at the park when they opened and we stayed all day. So, you can imagine all the pictures I have to show you all. If you can imagine......seven adults accompanying one little two-year old boy! While this was my first time, the others were reliving past memories from being here before. Amy mainly, since this was where she lost her sunglasses on the train from looking out over Dead Horse Trestle.

Our day began and ended with the train ride. As Tweetsie circled the mountain it made frequent stops as we ran into train robbers, gun fights and all kinds of other excitement!

Tweetsie!

He's ready to go!

Choo...Choo!

Another Driving Segment

I know you've seen plenty pictures of Ty driving and playing in all of our vehicles and know how much he loves to pretend drive, but this one IS actually different. Uncle Dick actually let Ty drive (with assistance of course). He drove from the picnic site around to the restrooms. Ty really thought he was something. Look out, he may really become the next NASCAR sensation!

Linville Falls

One of our days we went to Linville Falls and what a beautiful sight - the forest, the cliffs, the waterfalls and we couldn't have picked a better day for it! Ty really enjoyed the hike and all the "nature" around him especially when Dada was showing him how to skip rocks. We finished up our day with a picnic which was just a perfect end to our day!

picture perfect

looking for flat rocks to skip

Oops, sorry Amy - cute picture though

Aunt Mary and Ty

This was too funny.....Seems like always, I am the one that can't keep my eyes open for the picture. So let it be known that I did try...fourth times the charm,but Ty couldn't hold on for that last one.

Lots of obstacles, thank goodness for Grammy!

This is how Ty rode some of the way

ahhhh, Mother and son

Another one of our self-portraits

The whole gang!

Hello Hello

I would first like to apologize for the lapse in postings lately, I'll return to vacation photos after this post. Most of you know the news already and we wanted to try and tell everyone before making a blog entry and I'm sure I've missed a few......So, if you don't know already - Ty is expecting a sibling in May!!!!

I haven't been feeling well which is why blogging has somehow floated to the bottom of the list. I must say Ty has been a real trooper and Jason has really stepped up and has been taking over in the evenings and on the weekends. I've been praying and I'm sure it won't be long until I'm back to myself again which my family and house will be so glad! We love you all and are looking forward to the exciting months ahead and sharing this experience with you!

On da boat!

Lake James is a beautiful lake! David and Jason went skiing earlier in the day and then we all went for a ride later on. Ty did great on the boat and we all thought he was really enjoying the ride, the water and the scenery but we tried two other days and he wouldn't have it. Kicking, screaming, and crying were all involved and of course we didn't make him but we just couldn't figure out what had scared him off. There were plenty of other things to do, but I think Dada, was especially sad because he's the boat/lake lover!!! There's always next year!

Jason's up

Fancy move from David!

Our brave captain!

Anything with a steering wheel!

Co-captain, Ty

The gang in the rear....

The girls in front - Aunt Mims, me and GeeGee

Ty and his Nana

Mama Spider

Each day outside Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary's house was like watching the Discovery Channel especially when we noticed the wonder of new life happenings outside the breakfast nook. Amy and I were excited to see what Mama was doing each day. I normally do not like spiders and the thought of them gives me heebeegeebees, but when we noticed that this paticular spider wasn't going anywhere we figured she was setting up shop for babies (probably thousands and thousands of them). We were fasinated to see her intricate web weaving abilities and wondered why she was doing what she was. Her plain web turned into a zigzac web then we watched her (we think) lay eggs and roll them up into a portion of the web and then tuck them somewhere on her body. Fascinating to say the least! We were unable to see what happened after all this, but I felt like I had to share since we watched her closely for the whole eight days!!! Here she is, yellow and beautiful - if you can call spiders that (and as long as they don't enter my house!)

It's whole other world in this backyard!

Each day provided a new and exciting world outside Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary's house. The woods...Each time Ty found a pinecone, a stick, a toad, a leaf, a lizard or a rock was an exciting moment to say the least (lots of WOW's where always heard). The site I loved the most was in the mornings before just before the sun rose, to see the fog lifting up off the lake and that wonderful brand new day smell. Amazing and so relaxing!!!