She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain

One thing that Big Sis and I wanted to do was ride the Alpine Coaster in Pigeon Forge. Ever seen it? It's a single or double rider car that you control. You control the speed while riding down a track built into the side of a mountain. If I control the brake, I can handle it. Or at least I thought I could. My issue is that my dad's driving makes me incredibly car sick. Guess who drove? I was so sick when we got there, the thought of going down the mountain on a curving, turning, twisting track was NOT making me feel any better. Big Sis, on the other hand, doesn't have that issue. Lucky ducky...

We passed the place we wanted to go to. We stopped at a place called "Goats on the Roof". Want to know why? Keep scrolling. You'll see. But you'll miss the pics of the track. You go up, up, up the side of the mountain, and then you come down. See the curve right above the ticket booth? That's the big loop. Thank goodness you don't go upside down!
 

This is Big Sis coming around one bend and heading for another. She wanted to go full out, but the lady in front of her kept applying the brakes. Like I would have. Which is why Big Sis goes first.

And here she is, coming around the mountain. She wasn't driving six white horses, but I went out to greet her. See what I did, there?

 For some reason, this pic is out of order. This is Big Sis getting strapped in and heading up. She was so excited. I was so sick...

They call it "Goats on the Roof" because, well, there are goats on the roof. They were so stinking cute!!

I really wanted to bring this one home with me. Such a sweet baby! You can buy goat chow and feed them, but this one just likes to hang out with people.

And, of course, you can buy buckets of dirt to pan through. You are guaranteed real gems in every bucket. For $10 a bucket, I better be. Hubby wanted the stack since he likes to pan for gold and gems. Not happening.

This is Big Sis getting ready to board the cart on the actual coaster we were looking for. We passed it and back tracked after the first ride. This time she got to ride full out for the whole ride.

And there she goes. I almost couldn't watch. But I did, because I'm a good sister like that.

And she's still smiling! She said she liked this one better and I'm inclined to believe her. I did it again! I'm full of puns today!

This was the souvenir pic that you can buy. It's taken on the way up. I love the smile! She was loving it already.

Apparently there's another one in Gatlinburg that comes out over the road and juts out over the river. I'm not sure that would be the one for me. If you're ever in that area, give these coasters a try. I'm pretty sure you won't regret it. Unless the lady in front of you keeps putting on her brakes. Just don't get on after me. It'll be a slow descent...

Have a great day.

Dance, Donuts, and Disney

I know it's been awhile. I'm trying to remedy that. I'll be dumping some pics. You're so lucky! Today's post is brought to you by the letter D...



 

 

 

 

 

These are the pointe and ballet costumes from recital. I need to download the rest of the pics. I have to be honest, though. I was so busy back stage, I didn't get a lot of them. The best ones are from a friend that took pics during performances. She got some great shots!

The big girl wanted me to get pics of her pointe shoes at the end of the year, after it was all said and done. Poor beat-up shoes. We go in August to get fitted for a new pair for the upcoming season.

I found some break dance classes for the kids. It's actually just called breaking, but when you say that, people think you're destroying things. The classes are very inexpensive, but it's kind of a drive. You want to talk about fun, though.These are just a couple of shots. They are learning a move called the 6 step in the bottom pic. The kids are also learning how to do a baby freeze. Look it up, but I promise no babies were injured in the learning of that step. I am super impressed with the instructor. And just a little jealous.

 

This was my birthday cake from last year. Donuts. I can't have sugar or grains, but I would eat every single one of these if they were in front of me right now. I would be miserable later, but totally worth it!

We wandered the resorts at Christmas time. It was something we hadn't ever done before and we are so glad we did! This is the ginger bread house at the grand Floridian. That is an amazing place in and of itself, but dress it up for Christmas and holy cow! See the boy and the baby in the bottom right hand corner of the screen? That should give you the size scale.

We also stopped at the wedding chapel that sits between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. GORGEOUS! Then we found this around the back. Hubby and I are blocking it, but Cinderella's castle is right between us. I want all my kids to get married there.

The Christmas tree at the Grand Floridian. It goes almost all the way to the ceiling. The ceiling is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy up there!

Phineas and Ferb need no introduction. We knew what we were doing that day!

A Bill and Ted moment at the Hall of Presidents. My kids are crazy, did you know that? Totally hubby's fault!

Cinderella's carriage from the movie. I sure wish we could have gotten in, but I get it. I don't like it, but I get it.

One of our favorite things is the concert series at Epcot. They do 2 a year. Y'all should be jealous because En Vogue are still gorgeous, still super talented, and still put on an absolutely amazing show!!

That's all I have for now. I may do a school post later. Or I might not. Who knows?

Have a great day.

Dance, I Say, Dance!

Yeah, I just quoted Salt-n-Pepa. You are welcome! We are deep in the Christmas dancing season, so I thought I'd take a minute to share what we have going on in our crazy lives. And there are pics! Lucky duckies...

There is a board that gets displayed at every performance that has pics of all the company members. These are my 3 and their headshots. Nice looking bunch of yahoos.

There is always a barre exercise to warm up. Considering it was coooollllddd, it was much appreciated!

This is the group rehearsing for the Christmas tree lighting. They were so good!

The baby on dress rehearsal day with her "March" buddies. This year for ballet, Miss S has put together the Russian, Chinese, Spanish, March and Marzipan from The Nutcracker. I think my favorite is the Russian and the Marzipan and the March. Hmmmm, I wonder why...

This is what happens on dress rehearsal day. Everybody crowding the mirror trying to see themselves in their costumes. There were lots of new costumes this year and so much ooooing and aahing.

The boy with one of his Russian partners. His other partner was out of town. They did a such a great job!

How can you not love that face? I just adore her. And her big sister. And her brother.

The boy starts his dance with a toe touch, straddle jump, or whatever crazy French term you want to use for this. I cannot even imagine getting myself off the ground, much less having to do multiples of these.

Look at my babies!!! These are The Nutcracker costumes for the first set of numbers. The big girl doesn't want to give hers back. I can't blame her.

Checking out the tree before the tree lighting. People have asked me why we do what we do. Despite the fact that my kids love to dance, the smiles should be all the answer you need.

Sometimes, when you get on stage and the nerves start to get to you, a hug is always nice. The baby's friend A was having a moment. Thank God for friends!!

Checking out the stage. It's hard to do when the stage is full, but I still love this pic.

We have known this sweet girl for what seems like forever! She graduated a couple of years ago, but still comes home from college to see some of the performances. She is an amazing person and dancer and we love, love, love her!

This is the big girl with her friend, B and the boy with his friend, J. They were warming up before the show before they were so rudely interrupted for picture time.

And this is the group on stage. It makes for quite a pic, don't you think?

All of the dancers have put so much hard work and time and effort into these performances. We have 3 left. If you want to check out some quality entertainment and a amazing dancers, message me for dates and times. And even better, all of the shows are free. How can you beat that?

Have a great day.

The Company You Keep, In Pics

These are just some of my favorite pics from the dance season so far. Some you've seen. Some, maybe not.

Recital rehearsal has started. The kids are learning not only their regular class dances, but the company dance as well. I am excited to see the finished pieces, but trust me, I am not rushing it!

Have a great day.