Fall is almost here!

As everyone who knows me knows, I absolutely love fall and well it's almost here! So what better way to welcome in the season than with making some homemade orange play-doh!

Toren helped me mix the ingredient together and stir it while it cooked.

Then we got out our harvest cookie cutters and rolling pins.

We had a blast sculpting and cutting out fall shapes for over an hour. 

Lil Lena making a jack-o-lantern!

Cabin View

This was the view from our cabin. Pretty amazing!

Smokies trip: Day 5 Laurel Falls trail and National Park

Day 5 of our trip we went on a nice scenic drive through the smokies and then did a 3 mile hike to see Laurel Falls.

Scenic photo at Maloney point.

Lil Lena showing off her acorn she found during our hike! She told us she was going to plant it at our house in Nashville so it can grow into a big tree!

We made it! Lil Lena and James got a little wet when the slipped in the water but mama and Toren stayed nice and dry!

Here's a few pics from our hike!

Afterwards we went back to the cabin for  naps and a few games of Settlers of Catan before heading to the Hatfield and McCoys dinner theatre!

Smokies trip: Day 4 Aquarium and Gatlinburg

On day 4 of our trip we headed to the aquarium in Gatlinburg. The kids loved it as usual and were fascinated by all the different aquatic critters.

Checking out all the fish!

Grandpa Jensen joining the play in the kids corner!

Lil Lena got to pet a stingray.

Afterwards we headed into the town center for some shopping and lunch at the original pancake pantry. 

Lil Lena insisted we stop at all the fall decor to take pictures.

I have to say I do make pretty cute kids!

A lot of these pics are in the same spots as our vacation last year to the smokies!

Afterwards we headed back for a naps and a few games of Settlers. For dinner we went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, which is a dinner theater show with horse competitions between the north and the south.  

Smokies trip: Day 3 Gatlinburg Trail and Wonderworks

During day 3 of our trip we went on a nice 4 mile hike in the morning with grandpa Jensen and the kids. Then in the afternoon we hit up wonderworks which is kind of like an adventure science museum!

Lil Lena climbed half way up the rock wall but then got a little scared!

Toren loved the giant version of brite lite!

James and lil Lena did the high ropes course together. Lil Lena was terrified at first but by the end she was doing it all by herself!

Here we are in the middle of our hike. Lil Lena ran most of it while Toren was carried for most of it!

Posing for a few shots!

Smokies trip: Day 2 Dollywood

Day 2 at Dollywood. Lil Lena got her face painted with glitter!

We rode on lots of rides and took photos with the harvest decor!

We had lots of fun and were fully exhausted by the end of the day!

Smokies trip: Day 1 Dollywood

We spent a little time at Dollywood on our first day in Gatlinburg.

Riding on the tram to the park, with 2 very excited kiddos!

Feeding the ducks kettle corn.

Enjoying a ride on the Ferris wheel.

Pigs and bees were fun too, especially since there were no lines!

A little less excited about the ducks!

Lena loved the scrambler

And the swings with grandpa!

Scrambler again!

Mini coaster was Toren's favorite!

Flying elephants made mama sick.

And of course a ride on the carousel!

Toren was terrified in this mini version of the free fall ride!