The "Finnster, et al."

Today Michael and I woke up at 10:30. We felt great. I can't believe that I was able to sleep that late. After breakfast we lounged around until lunch. After lunch I watched a terrible movie while lying in the tree house bed and then we lounged around some more until after the rain stopped and then we went to town. During our trip to Gatlinburg I took Michael on a trip down memory lane. Too bad it wasn't our memories as a couple. Instead it was memories made with MJ, Zac and other kids that grew up in Manchester, Tennessee. So buckle up, I am about to take you on the Good Stuf Conference tour!! We started the tour off by getting a caramel apple and salt water taffy at the Smoky Mountain Candy Kitchen. Next, we moseyed past the sky lift. We went to the Ripley's moving theater; and the Space Needle; and then on the conference site. Next we trekked on up the hill to the Glenstone Lodge. The place is in some real need of a face lift. We even managed to sneak i...

Observe this sweet child. He sits quietly with his toys. He is still. He has been up 5 minutes. Things are about to change. After breakfast and a bath, he hid in the closet. He tried, but failed, to get past the barricade erected for his safety. After a trip to the neighbors house, and the Kake Lady, Finn delighted my good friend and expert framer Delores Shelton. We went to pick out a frame and this was the first time she had met Finn. Finn was a big help. A trip to Walmart and then it was back home for lunch. Be not deceived..... This was merely a 15 minute power nap. Finn proceeded to do card tricks, and play Solitaire. He played in the dishwasher Every drawer was opened and and explored. No drawer was safe. For some of his work he needed glasses. Every nook and cranny was explored. He was relentless. No stone was left unturned. He even rearranged the refrigerator. A perfect ending to a marathon day!

Finn had a great weekend, unrestricted eating! He definately has a future on the food network; if not in hosting his own cooking show, then he can travel the globe going up against the best and the biggest the food world has to offer. He started by offering his expertise in the making of spinach bars. Notice the wrist action and the concentration. He began his foray into the "not on the parent approved eating list" with some Italian sausage pizza on Friday night. Notice the "hand in the cookie jar" expression on his face. On Saturday he had green beans, and blueberries. as well as, spinach, onions, and cat treats. As Erin and Michael would not approve of these culinary delights, no incriminating photos will be posted. No children were harmed in the making of this blog.

Erin and Michael left for Gatlinburg this morning for a romantic, anniversary weekend. I am keeping Finn this weekend and one of the privaledges that comes with this newfound responsibility is blogging - Yes! I am in charge! To avoid tears and anxiety upon his parents' departure I decided to let Finn go for a swim in the tub. It worked! No tears. After helping me close up the house, Finn and I were off to church to set up the parlor for a baby shower. " "I don't know about you but I'm ready to leave." Telling Mrs. Betty good-bye after a hard morning of decisions, and setting up. Tapped out! After a light lunch, and a good nap, Finn was ready to get his day started. He played with the new toys; climbed the stairs all the way to the top (twice); discovered that a good looking boy lived up there; welcomed Papa when he got home from work; chewed on some paper, (courtesy of a local candidate for judge); talked on the phone; and discovered the joys of Turner Cla...

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. Just think, at this time last year, I was pitching a fit about flowers :) Heaven knows why Michael ever married me. For our anniversary weekend, Michael rented a cabin in Gatlinburg. It is the neatest cabin I have ever seen!!!! It would recommend it to anyone that is looking for rest and relaxation. The minute we walked in the door we knew we were in the right place. The whole cabin is geared toward napping. The lighting is soft, the shades keep the sun out and the stained glass windows really filter the bright light. The cabin smells of cedar, it is immaculately clean and the decorations are charming. The cabin is very small, but the layout is incredible. This cabin is proof that great things really do come in small packages. The bedroom is incredible. It is almost completely enclosed in a gingerbread house and is raised two feet off of the main level. It has a flat screen TV in the corner, windows that look out into the den an...