DollyWood 11/24/07

This was the last "full" day we spent in Tennessee. All of us (16 to be exact), spent the day at Dolly Wood. We have been there many times, but some how we never get tired of it. We would like to say a BIG thank you to Alan & Janelle for allowing us (Jerry & I) to go to Dolly Wood (they had our names for Christmas, so they paid for our tickets as our gift). Thanks sooo much guys, we had a GREAT time! We seen many shows and rode many rides, what a fun time we had!

Mamaw with Ashlyn & Keegan
Kallee loved riding on the Bubble-Bees

Janelle, Alan, Jerry & Janiece

This was our *favorite* show of the day, it was called "Babes in Toyland"!

This was the hugest Nutcracker I have ever seen!

More exciting scenes from "Babes in Toyland"

Me and the kiddos waiting in line for another show.

Keegan with his favorite actors; two of the Snickerdoodle mice!

The park was absolutely beautiful at night! Everywhere you looked,

you would see beautiful lights!

This picture was taken on our way out of the park, Kallee "crashed" in the stroller.

A Tennessee Thanksgiving

This was a first for us...spending a holiday in the great Smokie mountains! We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin's; turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, noodles, corn & green beans (canned by my MIL), dressing, toss salad and last but not least...pumpkin, pecan and cherry pie. Yum!!! It was a feast fit for the Cooper Gang : )

Ashlyn, Kallee, Alysha, Courtney & KeeganL to R: Alan, Janelle, Betty (my MIL), Reed (my FIL), Jerry & Elizabeth. I think Tony was off getting his 100th cup of coffee and of course, I was taking the picture.

Our own little Thanksgiving feast!

Tennessee Trip - Part II

We thought since Keegan's birthday was a week away and his cousins from Florida never get to come to his party, we would have a little party for him there. After that, we all enjoyed having our Christmas. Since A & J won't be home for Christmas, we thought it would be nice to have it while we were all together. The evening ended with all of sitting around watching old Laural & Hardy movies, the kids really enjoyed them (even us big kids : )

Kallee & Papaw enjoyed chocolate chip cookies that Courtney & Alysha made, yum!


Aunt Janelle & Kallee enjoying a Cooper family favorite--crackers and squirt cheese.
Kallee & Ashlyn decorating the Christmas tree!

Jerry & Tony chatting about, how knows what : )

Kallee opening her Christmas gifts, she got all Strawberry Shortcake stuff.

Keegan opening his gift from Aunt Janelle & Uncle Alan, a BB Gun.

Keegan with Uncle Alan

Keegan trying out his new gun.

Keegan blowing out his birthday candles.

The Cooper Clan

The kids watching old Laural & Hardy movies

The kids jumping all over Tony, poor guy!

Tennesse Part - I

Well our trip to Tennesse began on the morning of November 21st. The kids only had a 1/2 day of school so we decided that it wouldn't hurt them to miss those 4 1/2 hours, besides, they had brought home extra work so they were caught up. We had a very nice down, the weather was beautiful and when we arrived in Pigeon Forge, the temp was 78 degrees. We had all wore sweaters or heavier shirts, we quickly decided we didn't need them. Instead of going to the cabin first, we decided to meet Jerry's brother, Alan, and his family for a late lunch. We enjoyed our time together and the BBQ meals we had, were wonderful. After lunch it was time to head to the cabin. The kids were all sooo excited to get there and catch up on each other's lives. We weren't there only a few minutes and the kids were all jumping in the hot tub and having a great time! Later that evening, we enjoyed a late supper with Mamaw fixing hamburgers. The next day we stayed at the cabin for Thanksgiving dinner and such. They guys really enjoyed the game room, the kids too. We were suppose to hit Dolly Wood early Friday morning, but a few of us ended up getting sick, ugh! It wasn't too bad, and by the end of that evening we were all feeling well, THANK THE LORD!!! Early Saturday we decided to head to Dolly Wood. We all had a great time there (see my Dolly Wood post). Of course, Sunday morning came WAY TOO FAST, and it was time to head home : ( The kids had their normal kid "discussions", but were still able to have a great time. Thansk so much to my BIL, Alan, for setting up the cabin for us, we really appreciate it!!! All of us will be happy to pitch in again for another "Cooper Family Gathering"!

This is the front view of the cabin!
This is a side view of the cabin!

Jerry looking down at me from the upper level

Looking down into the kitchen area, from the stairs.

Game room on the upper level

Looking down into the family room from the upper level

Front Row: Courtney, Talon, Alysha, Kallee & Ashlyn

Back Row: Keegan & Lane

Keegan and Blake

Kallee and her cousin Core-key (as she calls her)

Jerry and Alan enjoying their first round of pool.

Happy 7th Birthday Keegan

Today is Keegan's 7th birthday, my how that doesn't seem possible. I can't hardly believe that 7 years ago right now, I had a baby boy that was only 6 hours old, ugh! We have told him for weeks he could select a friend to go with him to...
after selecting Kyler Gardner, we were off for some fun! We had a nice time, I believe all the kids enjoyed themselves. I would like to wish my baby boy a very Happy Birthday! I love you lots and lots buddy!

Keegan & Kyler had a great time playing games!

Kallee thought she was big stuff running from ride to ride and game to game!

ChuckE.Cheese and his assistant singing Happy Birthday to Keegan!

Keegan eating his cake that ChuckE.Cheese gave him!

Kyler, ChuckE. & Keegie

Last but not least...his presents

Happy Belated Birthday Sara

I know, this is a week over due, but I would like to wish my friend Sara Derscheid a Happy Belated Birthday! Sara and I have been friends all our lives, it was when I became a teenager, that her and I became best friends. We have been through a lot, but I will cherish all those times, both good and bad! She is like another sister to me, so I guess I should say; Happy Birthday Sis! : ) I will try and post some good, old pictures later, but since I have to scan them all in, it may not happen!

Weekend Fun - 11/17/07

We were invited by Tony to a little gathering for Sara's birthday, last weekend. Her birthday isn't until Thanksgiving, but he wanted to do something fun for her before that. We all met at Ben & Arie's in Fishers, it is kind of like ChuckE.Cheese. We all had a great time playing those silly games, especially the kids. I didn't know what to get her, but since she is in the process of re-decorating and I just "happen to have" access to Home Interior...we gave her a gift certificate. I hope she can find something in the catalog to spend her $$$ on. I also filled the bag with some of her other favorites; Pepsi and M&M's, yum! She was even kind enough to share her bag of M&M's with all of us, now that is a sacrifice for her, lol! Thanks so much for inviting us Tony, we all had a great time and hope Sara enjoyed "her time" as well.

I couldn't resist posting this picture, it shows how much she liked her card I got her!

Sara, Janiece & Mary

(and Maverick too)

Keegan & Janae loved playing this game!

Kallee and all her bling! She was "lucky" enough to hit the jackpot on one of the games and it gave her at least 75 tickets. With her tickets she was able to get enough jewels to doll her all up, plus a sucker : )

The guys watching football!

Me & My handsome baby!