A Trip to the Great Smokey Mountains

For years now, Drew and I have enjoyed going to Gatlinburg, TN for a great winter getaway. The town has special meaning to us, we honeymooned there, we spent our 1st anniversary there, and the 3rd one too, and now the 7th one. I know 7 years - hard to believe we are getting that old! So we thought - lets head up there for a long weekend and take Payton to the aquarium.

We had a great time - it's always nice to get away from all the stress at home and reconnect. Plus little Miss Payton had our undivided attention and that always makes her happy.

Here's a rundown of our trip.

Note to self: there are not enough movies, books, toys, and snacks to keep a 1 year old entertained for a 4.5 hour car ride in her daddy's bumpy truck!

Here we are setting out for the Mountains!

And here we are 20 minutes from being there! Notice the difference.

And I am pretty sure Drew was ready to be out of the car too - if not just to quit hearing me ask how much longer! Note to Drew: You wife stinks at being the passenger!

After we FINALLY arrived at the cabin - it was time to stretch our legs out and check everything out.

Our View was breathtaking.....


And our Cabin was quaint.


Payton thought the porch swing was the coolest thing.

Then we got BACK IN THE TRUCK - to go find some dinner! We ate at a place that claimed the "Best Ribs in America!" And let me tell you they were! Payton was good for the most part - just fidgety from sitting all day!

When we got back to the cabin - she took a bath - I believe she thought the bath was even cooler then the porch swing! She was so funny trying to "swim" in the tub!

Saturday Morning we got up and got ready, and headed out to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Great Smokey Mountains! It has always been my favorite aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium hasn't got a thing on this one. Plus since we went in the off season - nothing was crowded. We let Payton just run from tank to tank and enjoy all the fish.

Here she is making her best fish face to the GIANT catfish! Daddy told her those would be "Good Eatin" - Good Grief how redneck!

The tropical fish tank was her favorite - we must have stayed at this tank for a good 10 minuets. She tried her hardest to get the fish's attention.

Then after a quick lunch and a nap at the cabin - we headed further up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg - the area's ski resort. And while there was plenty of snow, Payton was too little to even ride the sleds - really you need to be 3 years old to sit on your Daddy's lap and go down a dinky little hill! Sheesh!

But we did manage to play in the snow for a little bit - and that was FREE!

It was warm enough not to need a jacket - which was a plus for playing!

Then that afternoon we headed to Cade's Cove for a drive. It's a nature preserve with lots of big deer and turkey's that you can't shoot at! So really Drew was the only one that thought this was cool - Payton watched a movie!

It was a great weekend! Great Family Time - and Great Memories!


I am so blessed to have been married to this man for the past 7 years of my life! Hard to believe it's been 11 since I first met him!


Thanks Daddy for a great weekend! We love you!

By Invitation Only

You had to be on the guest list to attend this tea party - and Bitty and the "Bweaw" were the VIPs.

And the host was so friendly - with kissing her guest and all - she must be from Europe!

And something tells me there was more then just Tea in those cups buy the way she was turnin' em' up!

Rock My World...Little Country Girl

I had forgotten all about these pictures from Drew's birthday (way back on Dec. 2)!

Grandma Kathy had them on her phone.

Yes, Drew picked the redneck steakhouse in Senoia for his birthday dinner. And yes we took our baby to a karaoke bar! But she had a blast dancing - and that's all that matter's right. It really doesn't matter that you ran into like 50 people you know, and they all had that look on their face - "Wow, can't believe Drew & Krystal have Payton at a bar"! Oh, well - we really are rednecks I guess! But hey all of you reading this - it takes one to know one!

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

We sure had a lot of celebrating to do! Here is our run down of Christmas Events!

The Sunday before Christmas and Grandma Kathy and Grandpa John's house with the Reese side.

Payton liked opening all the presents......

And Kate liked showing Payton what to do with all of them!

And Cole liked the wrapping!


These three are a hoot together - they played and played and played and it was so fun to watch!

Grandma Kathy even let us play with a few ornaments from the tree...which we thought was so cool since all season mommy has been telling us not to touch them!

The Christmas Eve it was off to Grammy & Papa's house for more presents, a yummy dinner and lots of fun!

Payton liked helping open all the gifts - she even wanted to keep some of Aunt Mimi's presents for herself!

It took awhile to get ALL the presents open since she tore little strips at a time. But each time she got so excited so we stayed cracked up watching her the whole time.

She even played Santa and gave everyone their packages!

Then on Christmas Morning we actually go to sleep in! Guess it was her present to us!

She was so excited at all the presents in the living room

Santa sure knows Peeps - clothes, pillows, and play food what more could a girl ask for!

We had a lot of fun pulling one thing out of the stocking at a time!

I told you she was excited she even put down the paci.

Then she opened her gifts from us....

And amidst all those toys her favorite present was an Olivia book!

Here's my little cupcake getting ready to help me with breakfast in her new apron that Santa brought!

And after a quick morning nap....she woke up to find Grandpa John, Grandma Kathy, Grandma E, Aunt Kenley and Kenley's Drew all waiting to eat a yummy breakfast!

The girl can down some grits - I swear she'd eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner if we'd let her!

Then on to opening more presents! I don't know what she's going to think this week when there are no presents to be opened - the child's been opening gifts for weeks now between her birthday, Cole's birthday and Christmas!

Whose child is this - taking a shot from a teacup! Did Daddy teach you that Payton?

Oh, and don't forget our in depth conversations in jibber jabber with Drew whenever he's around - I wonder what she's really saying to him!

Then Christmas Night we headed back to Grammy & Papa's to see the Monsrud's and Aunt Randi-Lynn.....

and of course to open more presents!

She was so excited she wanted Josh to open it right then and there!

But I think I know who received the best Christmas present of all! Papa! Payton sure gave him one great big hug - and it lasted for at least 5 minuets. She was not letting go - and she just kept smiling and saying Papa! You know it was exactly what he asked Santa for too!

Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas as much as we did! We sure are blessed with a great family and wonderful friends!