Hello Dolly!

November 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Another adventure that our family went on while in the Smoky Mountains was to a truly unique theme park… Dollywood!  As you walk through the gates you are transported to the days of Country Fairs and the laid back life in the Smokies.  We just happened to be there on the opening day of the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration.  It was the perfect day to be there!  Dolly Parton was somewhere in the park, but unfortunately we didn’t cross paths.  However, we got to see singer Louise Mandrell!  She was there to receive the James D. Vaughan Impact Award from the Southern Gospel Music Association.  The Association actually has a Hall of Fame and Museum at Dollywood.  In fact before we realized the significance of the day we were surprised that a red carpet greeted us at the entrance.  For a second there I thought the folks at Dollywood were pulling out all the stops to make sure our family (with their “mommy blogger” tickets) had an amazing day.  😉

We did have an amazing day, though!  There’s so much to do at Dollywood.  From the family friendly atmosphere… To the country stores…  To the shows…

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To the rides…

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Hanging out with their cousin!

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There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at Dollywood!

 

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While we were there everything was decorated for the fall season and it was gorgeous!  I can’t even imagine what it looks like all decorated for Christmas.  Maybe Santa will send us there in December.  😉

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Thank you for showing us a really great time, Dollywood!

This review was sponsored by Dollywood, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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What’s to do in the Smoky Mountains?

November 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Remember that little ‘ole government shut down that took place… Oh, back in October?  Well, we were actually on vacation when that whole thing went down.  Yep.  On Day #2 of our vacation to be exact.  Our vacation to…  Wait for it… The Smoky Mountains NATIONAL Park.  Day #1 we went into the park just fine.  Day #2 we were greeted by this:

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Talk about throwing a wrench in someone’s plans.

Fortunately for us there are tons of other fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains area besides the park!  Prior to making the trip to Tennessee we were invited to attend the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show.  So even if the park had been open we were still going to attend the show.  Dinner.  Great show.  How can you pass that up?  Well, it ended up being such an amazing show!  Lots of laughs and delicious food to help us get over not being able to go back into the park.  🙂   Plus, it’s fun for the entire family!

Even the grounds of the theater are fun:

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Our Banjo being a mummy.

Now back to the show and the food…

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Everything is served family style and it’s what you would expect out of a real Southern feast:

  • Feudin’ Fried Chick’n
  • Open Pit Pulled -to-Pieces Pork Barbeque
  • Southern Style Creamy Soup
  • Smashed Mashed Taters
  • Buttery Corn on the Cob
  • Keep It Comin’ Cornbread
  • No Tellin’ What’s In It Coleslaw
  • Granny’s Famous Specialty Dessert

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We couldn’t even eat it all!  You are given plenty of time to eat before the show starts.  That way you can really focus on the entertainment.

The story of the Hatfields and McCoys is told in a way that I had never heard before.  So that kept it interesting!  In terms of entertainment there’s music, dancing, “fighting”, romance, and a great story line.  It all comes together for a feuding good time!

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Will we go back to this Pigeon Forge, Tennessee show next time we are in the Smoky Mountains?  Most definitely!  The kids loved it and it was definitely one of the best shows around.  Stay tuned for my thoughts on another great show…  The Smoky Mountain Opry!  🙂

 

This review was sponsored by the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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Jungle Boogie

June 8, 2013 by 4 Comments

It was beyond beautiful outside yesterday.  Audi was in lectures all day and got out of work early at 3pm.  (Every so often he gets to spend all day in lectures on medical topics like:  Hearing loss, throat cancer, etc.  Exciting, right?)  So the kids and I picked him up from work and we headed to the St. Louis Zoo.  How better to spend a glorious early evening outside?

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Here in St. Louis we have one of the top zoos in the nation.  And…  It’s free!  That’s right there is absolutely no entrance fee to our zoo and that’s not just for residents.  If you come to St. Louis on vacation then you too can experience our zoo for free!  (Along with our free art museum and free science center.)  Thanks to the generous donations of so many wonderful, giving St. Louisans.

Every summer the zoo has bands perform in the evenings.  It’s always packed.  We of course picked to go to the zoo on band evening.  😉

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995415_10151478844235894_1370383550_n  The kids loved it!

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Remember Benny?

March 10, 2013 by 1 Comment

Just thought we’d let you know how he’s been doing…

 

Have a dandy week!

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Silence is not always so golden…

January 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Or is it?  Sorry my dandy friends for being so MIA! I cannot believe that I’ve been so unusually quiet these last few weeks.  Usually I’m quite the talker.  😉  Or maybe you haven’t minded my quietness???  That’s okay, too.  At any rate I’ve missed checking in with all of you.  It was a very busy end to 2012 around here as I’m sure it was in all of your own lives.

We visited the Missouri Botanical Garden Holiday Trains with friends:

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We decorated:

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Our neighborhood has this wonderful tradition (since the 1960’s) that takes place ever year on Christmas Eve and Christmas night:

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It’s so beautiful driving in and seeing the streets lined with the glowing luminaries.  I love our neighborhood!

 

Santa was really good this year to our kiddos:

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They were definitely on his nice list!

 We visited family and Santa made a stop there:

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“Mine!”

Ruby learned how to do some new things at our house…

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And at my grandparents house:

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Oh and the little miss turned 1!

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Stay tuned for the posting on that very dandy birthday party…

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Waliki Toys Benny the Jumping Bull {Giveaway} – CLOSED

December 31, 2012 by 13 Comments

Looking back on childhood I’m sure that many of us are familiar with something that looks like this:

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It was such a super fun toy to own!

A jumping ball is a toy that promotes exercise in secret.  🙂   We all know that kids today aren’t interested in exercise.  Get them to work some muscles and gain gross motor skills while having fun a jumping ball from Waliki Toys!

Recently Waliki sent us a Benny the Jumping Bull for Ruby to use and play with.  She loves the little guy and it’s evident by the expressions of joy on her face:

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See what I mean?  Pure joy!  Little does she know it’s helping to build those leg muscles, balance, and coordination.  😉

Benny is made from durable, heavy duty vinyl and comes in several colors.  Here are just a couple:

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He even comes with his own free hand pump!

Now.  Who wants to win their very own Benny the Jumping Bull???

One very lucky winner is going to receive a…

Pink Benny the Jumping Bull!!!  This one to be exact:

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Now that’s a dandy giveaway! 

*This giveaway is open to US entries only. *The winner of this giveaway will be posted no later than the evening of Monday, January 7th and emailed within 24 hours.  If the winner does not respond within a week, a new winner will be drawn. *This posting and giveaway were sponsored by Waliki Toys, but all opinions are strictly my own. *Enter on Rafflecopter below.a Rafflecopter giveaway

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One year in one month!

November 27, 2012 by 1 Comment

Look who can wave and even say the word “hi” now. Oh and she will be having her first birthday one month from today!

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We cannot believe our Ruby is already 11 months old!

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Happy Thanksgiving from Banjo and Ruby!

November 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Getting her to actually look at the camera was never going to happen. Pine needles are just too, too interesting to look at. Camera? Mom? Not interesting enough. But pine needles…


I’m so very thankful for my family even though everything is not always picture perfect.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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October, I miss you.

November 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Here’s a last look at October.  Glorious October.

I really do kind of miss October.  There’s just something about that month that gets me every time.  Maybe… Because of all the great fall family activities.  Or maybe…  Because of all the pumpkins, ghosts, and goblins.  The fall decor?  I certainly love that part of it!  Sure fall carries into November, but is it the same?  I mean it’s November.  😉

Here’s looking to the month that’s all about Thanksgiving and all that I am truly thankful for.  It’s another holiday month to spend with my family.  A time to reflect on my many, many blessings.  November, I welcome you and I’m grateful for you.

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Spidey and the Peacock

November 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Hello dandy friends!  Consider yourself very, very lucky.  I’ve stepped away from the candy bowl long enough to give you an account of our Halloween festivities.  😉

This year Banjo was really into the idea of begging for candy around the neighborhood.  We humored his interest with the typical parental candy fee for taking him.  “One for you.  Two for me.”  🙂

Of course he went as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

And what Spidey is complete without his loyal sidekick…

None other than the Pretty Peacock.

They were quite the hit of the block.

                             

Notice the missing peacock headpiece?  It didn’t survive the attempt to be eaten by Ruby.  *sigh*  Oh, well.  I think she’s cute enough to pull off the costume without the hair feathers.  🙂

Goodbye October.  Hello November!

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