Tennessee

What a fantastic whirlwind vacation!  We drove to Dallas last Saturday night (hoping the kids would sleep the whole way... Erin and Halle did, Lia did not...) and hung out on Sunday preparing for our early morning flight out Monday morning.  We had to get the kids up at 5am to make our 7am flight and I was an anxiety ridden wreck until we landed in Knoxville.  Luckily, the kids were phenomenal on the plane and with help from GG and Pop Pop, it was completely manageable.

Pop Pop and Erin chillin on the plane

Later, Erin fast asleep in GG's arms

Halle stealing some yogurt from Pop Pop

Lia was in heaven and was excited for days upon days to go on an airplane.  She was (probably more) excited to get to watch Frozen with her own DVD player and headphones

Halle passed out with Pop Pop

The kids did really well and I could not have hoped for a better experience with them on the plane.  We landed and headed to our cabin - home away from home for the next week.  The trip was centered around Todd's cousin Ashley's wedding and they invited family to come to this cabin in the Smokey Mountains a week before the wedding for a reunion.  It was the first time that every single member of the Gates side of the family was in one place in probably 10 years or so.  Ty & E were in from Italy, Todd's other cousin, Julia and her husband came from England - it was awesome.  We loved spending time with all the newest tiny cousins and catching up with family.

View from the deck of the cabins

Matching swimsuits from Aunt Melinda!  These girls were stylin!

Erin and Sesha goofing off

Not sure what is going on here...  but it made me laugh

Gave Erin an apple to chew on and she wouldn't let it go - not even long enough to wash off the dirt!

Lia and Uncle Mark playing

It is a ping pong ball...

They had two play pools set out on the deck for the kids which was amazing - perfect way to wear them out before nap!

All of the six mini cousins together!  From the right:  Myra (Ashley's daughter), Hadley (Amanda's daughter), Erin, Lia, Halle, Julia

This push car was a highlight for all the kids - Erin and Halle were small enough to fit in together!

Wednesday night there was a Roast N Toast in honor of Ashley and Jason - Lia was so excited about "the party" and hopped around eating cookies in her cute dress.  

Everyone brought a bottle of wine to share and for others to taste - it was a mega tasting for sure!!

Ashley and Jason - bride and groom!

Aunt Sharlie reading to Lia and Halle

Lia left, but Halle stayed for many more books!

I think the funniest thing to note is that the random switch with Erin and Halle's personalities during their birthday party continued during the reunion.  Halle was much more social and willing to spend time with other, new people.  She was more agreeable and interested in activities.  Erin was suction cupped to me for awhile until she was comfortable in a new place and sometimes when she was really grumpy or tired wouldn't even go to Todd...  just me.  It was flattering for about 23 seconds and then it was difficult.  Luckily, this wasn't something that lasted the entire time - just with new situations or when there were a lot of people around.

We were lucky enough to coordinate with all the grandparents for a "cousins night out" one evening and we went out after the kids were in bed for drinks.  It was really fun to get to be with the smaller group of cousins.

Another day we took the kids in the morning (right when it opened at 9am) to the aquarium which was supposed to be really good.  It did not disappoint.  We had a great time and since we were there during opening, there were not many people there and we got to see things up close and personal.

They had a big tunnel with a fish tank all around that you stood on a people mover sidewalk thing and could look around at all the sharks, turtles, and fish.  The giant (and I mean giant!) sea turtle was Lia's favorite.

An aquarium with a hole in the middle

Sea turtle friend

Aunt Sharlie got the Gates cousins matching dresses and we were excited to catch this picture of them all looking somewhat happy about it.  Ha!!

Had to bribe Lia with a lollipop though...  desperate times...

The wedding day was, well, eventful.  The ceremony was at 3pm offsite and so the kids' naps were disrupted with having to get dressed and in the car.  Tyler and Elizabeth rode with Julia and Lia in one car and Todd and I followed with Erin and Halle.  Things were going well until a phone call came through from Elizabeth saying that "Lia just vomited everything she has ever eaten in her whole life..."  CRAP.  Did I have a new dress for her to wear?  Nope.  Did I even have a change of regular clothes?  Nope.  I just grabbed the essential diapers, etc on the way out the door and didn't even consider this option.  They were pulled over in a church parking lot and were cleaning Lia up with baby wipes.  That is a good aunt and uncle too because MAN it smelled awful.  We debated our various options (go back to the cabin and miss the wedding, try to buy a new dress, have her go in just undies, have me and Lia wait in the car, etc) and finally decided to try and find her a new dress.  We passed a Dollar General and I ran in crossing my fingers that they at least had a halloween costume that would fit her.  I didn't care.  Luckily they had a small selection of children's clothing and I grabbed TWO dresses (just in case) and headed out.  We made it just in time before the ceremony started and breathed a sigh of relief.

That evening was the reception.  Ashley was great and had things (including babysitters!) prepared for the kids.  They had an absolute ball and Todd and I enjoyed some spontaneous child free time toward the end of the night.

Erin fell out of her chair about 4 times...

Flower girl Myra and her grandpa (father of the bride) Uncle John.

Me and Amanda

Dancing!!  This was Lia's highlight - she was giggling the whole time.  Erin and Halle had a great time too and where just walking around the dance floor smiling and laughing.

Lia saw the spinning lights and was completely in a trance for a full minute.  Hilarious.

Cousin Julia from England!

The "Wipeout" tradition continues!

And, what is a wedding without photo strips from the photo booth!!???!!!

Love this one.

Me, Lia, Amanda and her daughter Hadley

Family picture attempt - Erin did NOT like this experience

Cousin photo!

The trip home was pretty brutal and Erin cried pretty much the entire way.  She could not get comfortable and was rejecting everything because she was so tired and upset.  No one but me could hold her or have any hope of calming her.  So - it was me trying to bide my time with squeezies, toys, and songs.  It was pretty difficult at times.  You know when she fell asleep?  When the wheels touched the ground.  Seriously child???

Everyone was tired (adults and children included) so instead of trying to drive home from Dallas that night, we stayed at GG and Pop Pop's house that night and relaxed before driving home Monday afternoon.  That was a good choice too because I don't think we would have stayed awake otherwise!!

Overall, the trip was incredible and I'm so glad we braved the travel to make it happen.  Direct flights are a godsend and so are grandparents!!  I loved showing off the kids to those who have only ever seen them in pictures and on the blog - and also getting to meet and spend time with the other littles!  It was very different than reunions of our past, but fun in a whole new way!