Monday was a rainy day in the mountains, so we opted for a fun ice skating outing.  We drove up to Ober Gatlinburg, and it appeared we were one of very few tourists that day!  What a treat!  We basically had the whole ice skating rink to ourselves minus a few amateur children hanging onto the rail.  Ha!  Well...Sheila and I hung on to that rail a little to.  I guess I need to be honest here.

My mom offered to keep Millie Janalee at the cafe overlooking the rink so Russ and I could have a romantic rendezvous on the ice.  Ha!  Most of our skating time was spent watching Russ fly around the rink showing off his turns and stops all while laughing at my skating form.  He was kind enough to lead me around by the hand...the only way I was well-balanced.

Meanwhile, Dustin and Sheila took center rink with their turns and twirls!  This was the best picture I got of that from my iPhone, and Dustin says Sheila looks like an elf here.  Oops!  Sorry.  Ha! 

The final count of the entire skating experience...everyone fell at least once.  Except Russ of course! Let's just say the ice is hard.  And cold.  There was one injury that resulted in blood splattered on the ice and a bandage.  All is well that ends well.  That makes one fall for us all since Mama's tumble down the mountain the day before...major event!  Oh yeah.  Russ hasn't fallen yet.  I think I'll trip him tomorrow when we load the car to head home.

Sheila and Dustin

Me and my love

After our fill of ice skating, we loaded up and headed into Pigeon Forge.  Apple Barn is another stop we must make before leaving.  We enjoyed our share of tasting and shopping.  Susu and Millie Janalee were in the Christmas spirit!

Susu and Millie Janalee

Our evening involved one of our favorite events when we come to the mountains.  Dixie Stampede!  If you've never been, please take my advice and GO!  It's always a fun show...no matter how many times you've seen it.  The food - OH. MY!  Delicious!  A whole chicken, corn on the cob, one of a kind creamy vegetable soup, pork tenderloin, potato, cheddar biscuit, and apple pie for dessert!  All eaten by hand!  We couldn't wait to watch Millie Janalee during the show!

And, of course, she must dress the part...

Mama found this adorable crocheted cowgirl hat with pink feather and crocheted cowgirl boots on Etsy.  She gave them to Millie Janalee just in time!  We grabbed the cutest bib we could find to coordinate since this is apparently going to be a staple for her for a while.  My sweet little spit up girl!

She was by far the cutest little cowgirl around!  We turned in our tickets and got in line for our souvenir photo opp.  Dustin and Sheila enjoyed playtime with our cutie patootie while we waited...

Before the actual dinner show, there is a pre-show with banjo, guitar, and bass fiddle.   This show is always SO fun!  And we enjoy singing and clapping along as we drink from our souvenir boot mugs.  From the second the show started, Millie Janalee was mesmerized!  Couldn't take her eyes off them!  It was the cutest thing!  She fell asleep before the big show started once we were seated in the arena.  She woke up just as I finished my last bite, and enjoyed watching the rest of the show.  The horses were running around with buggies, wearing Christmas lights, and the crowd was cheering.  She followed the horses all the way around with her little eyes.  Such an observant thing!  We were on the first row.  Like...horses flung dirt up on our table after dinner and the snowfall landed all over us.  Great seats for a great first!

Mama and Millie Janalee at the stables

Keeping with the old country feel of our evening, we dressed Millie Janalee in her granny Christmas pajamas and cap. 

Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

I mean, really!  What's not to love about a Smokey Mountain Christmas!?

2012 Christmas Tour of Homes

**I'm linking up last year's tour of homes for MSWB because things are pretty crazy around here, and I never got around to taking pictures.  But my apartment looks pretty much the same this year...minus the wreath on my door.  Because I forgot to get it out of storage.  Oops!

Like the last several years, I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner on her Christmas Tour of Homes.  As you may have guessed by now, Christmas is my favorite time of year!  I love the decorations, the lights, the family gatherings, the food, and watching as the entire world focuses on Christ's birth.  It is such a special time for me...and for my loved ones.  Since we don't have too many visitors this time of year due to our travel schedule, I will give you a tour of our home at Christmas.  Come on in!

This wreath has moved with us a couple of times.  I love the stocking bucket I got when I was a Southern Living at HOME sales rep!  It can be used for anything, but I love the way it looks on this wreath with the pretty ribbon and berries. 

This year, it was different maneuvering around all the baby paraphernalia.  In fact, Russ nearly had a come-apart when I told him I intended to bring all Christmas decorations from the previous year.  I had a vision, and it worked.  In addition to all the baby "stuff," we also added a recliner.  So our tiny little apartment is quite cozy during this month of December.  And I love it!  Our Christmas tree is full of ornaments given to us by my grandmother mostly.  We also have special ornaments given by special family members and friends over the years.  And, of course, we have new ornaments for our little Millie Janalee too!  Such a priceless addition to our tree!

Russ and I have had these stockings since we were married...and Farley has had his for several years too.  When I was looking for Millie Janalee's stocking, I found that our stockings had discontinued after seven years!  But, I LOVE that hers is special!  I got her stocking at Pottery Barn Kids and had it monogrammed in town.  It is perfect!  I'm contemplating ordering a few more in that collection just in case we add to our mantle any time soon.  What do you think?

Our Dickens carolers are special additions to our mantle.  They belong to my grandmother, and they are "on loan" until they are passed on to my dad.  My parents also have a caroler collection that is always displayed on their piano.  I love that we are able to carry on the special Christmas memories associated with these carolers.

These wooden reindeer are new this year.  Santa brought me two reindeer for Christmas last year, and Russ gave me a small one too!  I loved filling them with ornaments and setting them around our living room.  Such a fun touch! 

Another new addition to our Christmas decor this year is our Twas the Night Before Christmas book.  You may remember my sister and I getting a copy last year from my dad.  It is tradition for him to read Twas the Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve for my sister, brother, and me.  He recorded his voice reading the story and gave us a copy.  I love it! 

How special to always have his voice recorded for Millie Janalee and me to enjoy year after year after year...and for many years to come!  I recommend any grandparents add this idea to your collection this year!  It is a priceless gift that will forever capture the special memory.

You will also notice, if you walk around our apartment, the little touches hidden in random places.  These little elves were a fun find when my grandmother moved from her house into an apartment.  I grabbed a few because they were just too cute!  I love hiding them around for a fun touch at Christmas.

We registered for these Christmas dishes when we were engaged, and I still love them to this day!  The red Vietri is still very popular, but our Christmas salad plates and other accessories are retired now.  It makes me even more excited to have this beautiful set for entertaining and decorating!

I also love the fun holiday touches added around our home year after year from loved ones.  Occasionally, we will receive a seasonal gift at Christmas and I enjoy remembering the giver when the time comes to use it!

A fun hanger on our pantry door from Roan

I love these angels from Steinmart on my refrigerator

Russ's sister made this plate for us a few years ago.  It's time to add a name!

You better watch out!  You better not splurge!  Santa is watching you!

These ADORABLE reindeer made by Maw Maw add a fun touch to our guest bathroom.

Russ gave me this pretty Etta B dish, and it looks great in our guest bathroom.

One of the exciting new Christmas decorations this year happened in our old guest room.  It is now known as Millie Janalee's room!  I have always daydreamed and prayed for the day we will decorate a little one's room, and the day is here!  Such a special Christmas for our family.  Such an answered prayer.  Such a JOY!

I found this tree, tree skirt, and the ornaments at Target

LOVE this nativity my parents gave me for my birthday last year!  The box was labeled "Baby J's Nativity."  Russ marked it out and wrote "Millie Janalee's Nativity!"  LOVE!

Sweet Christmas toys from Auntie Kristin

This Santa was a wedding gift that we received six months after we were married.  It came around Christmastime, and I have always put it in our bedroom or bathroom.  It found a home in our master bathroom this year, and it is the perfect touch for us!  I guess you can see where I keep my rubber bands too!  Ha!  Sorry about that.

One of my favorite things about December is checking the mail!  I LOVE LOVE Christmas cards!  I was surprised to find our very first Christmas card in the mail the last day in November!  Since then, our Christmas cards have filled up.  But, I haven't gotten a picture of them.

Finally, let me introduce you to our newest, best, most wonderful Christmas gift EVER!  Miss Millie Janalee!  This precious gift from above is all we ever need for Christmas...and any Christmas to come!  We are so thankful for the opportunity we have to parent, raise, celebrate, and enjoy this sweet girl!  We are thankful for the opportunity to share our story and allow His plan to reach others!  Oh, the wonders of His love!

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back anytime.  Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Mountain Christmas Hike

The second day of our Gatlinburg vacation brought great adventures for our little one.  The boys talked us into a "small hike."  All the girls got up, showered, and ready to hit the trail.  I think we got out of the cabin by noon.  Ha!  We opted for a shorter 5 mile roundtrip hike to Abram's Falls.  Abram's Falls is in the very back of the Cade's Cove loop, so we enjoyed our views throughout the scenic loop as well.  When we arrived and got Millie Janalee strapped on, grabbed the camera bag and video camera, and ate a nutritious pre-hike snack of Oatmeal Creme Pies...we noticed the sign.  It said 3-4 hour hike.  Hmmmm....

Millie Janalee proved herself that day!  She proved that she could hang with this crew.  Literally!  Ha!  Her little feet just dangled away as we hiked over the tree roots, stumps, and rocks.  I've gotta admit that the first part of the hike was difficult for me.  Once I got used to the pace and the extra weight on my shoulders, we moved right along.  Not quite as fast as Sheila and Dustin, but moved nonetheless.  Occasionally, Dustin and Sheila would stop for us to catch up and snap a picture or two.

Susu, Sheila, Dustin, me, Millie Janalee, and Russ

It wasn't long after this photo opp that Millie Janalee fell into a deep sleep to the sound of the mountains and the trickling of the creek nearby.  Her feet really started swinging with each step at this point.  Ha!

There were a few questionable moments when I thought it probably wasn't the safest idea to carry a baby through this hike.  We laughed taking guesses on what Paw Paw would say about it!  But, we did see another couple carrying their little one on their back.  That made us feel a little less crazy!

This log "bridge" crossed over a creek several feet below

Party of Three

A little over an hour and half (maybe even two hours) later, we made it to the waterfall!  It was a beautiful view and a very peaceful resting point.  Dustin and Sheila climbed the rocks to the falls while the rest of us watched on.  I was busy taking the carrier off...and examining the solid sweat in the shape of the carrier left on my shirt.  I looked cute.  Very cute.  Anything in the name of Millie Janalee, I guess!

Millie Janalee couldn't take her eyes of the waterfall.  It was so cute!  She loved it!  We just sat there staring at the water falling and splashing for a little while.  We all sat for a while and rested, talked, joked, and Millie Janalee had a bottle.  Take note how conveniently hungry she was.  Her bottle was nearly an hour late, and she didn't even notice!  Such a mountain baby!  There were several others sitting eating a packed lunch or snack too.

Millie Janalee loved the waterfall!

Resting

This was a Swamp People lookalike Dustin said...but I was more concerned with trying to steal that chocolate!

Lunchtime!

It was a beautiful day for a hike, and the perfect first hike for Millie Janalee!

Russ took his turn carrying Millie Janalee on the way back down.  She did cry a little, but by the time we finished she was ready to play, smile, and giggle.  We were all sore and our legs were shaking...well, maybe that was just the girls!  We made it up and down with only one "main event."  You'll just have to ask Susu about that one.  Hahahahaha!

Daddy/daughter hike

We made it back to the cabin in time for a yummy supper of homemade vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches!  We all got comfortable and kicked our feet up for the night! 

It was a wonderful mountain Christmas hike!