Happy Birthday Bubble!

Today is Bubble's 4th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to her!

Weekend Trip to Tarpon Springs

Last weekend Mark and I took a trip to Tarpon Springs, FL. Tarpon Springs is notable for having the highest percentage of Greek-American of any city in the US. Greek shops, restaurants and bakeries covered the main strip of downtown Tarpon Springs.

Natural Sponges.....famous in Tarpon Springs

We enjoyed delicious desserts at Hellas Bakery

Vacation- Baton Rouge. Friends/Family Part 7

While visiting my family in Baton Rouge, Mark and I were able to visit with some of my friends from school.

Becky Rome and I have been friends since Junior High. We kinda lost touch over some years and the last 2 trips to Baton Rouge we've been able to visit.

Deven Buckley and I have been friends since we were 10. She was also part of Mark and my wedding. We always enjoy our trips to Baton Rouge and make sure we get a chance to catch up with Deven. She's one awesome RN!

The trip to Baton Rouge was a suprise "Mothers Day" for my mom and family.

My awesome sister, Martha

My older brother, Sito

Happy Mothers Day Mom!!!

Mark chopping ice???

Reminding Dad that everyone is ready to EAT!

Chilling out...

Mom and my brother Joshua

Vacation- Oak Alley Plantation Vacherie Louisiana Part 6

Before our road trip to the mountains, we spent a few days and a weekend with my family. Martha (my sister), my Mom, Mark and I visited the famous Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie Lousiana. About 1 hour outside of Baton Rouge.

Oak Alley-

A Historic plantation located on the Mississippi River in Vacherie Louisiana. It is protected as a National Historic Landmark. It is named after its distinguishing feature, an alley of a double row of live oaks about 800 feet (240 meters) long, which was planted in the early 1700s, long before the present house was built. The alley leads towards the Mississippi River.

More information on this beautiful house and the history- http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/

Many movies were filmed here including Interview with the Vampire

Vacation- North Carolina Part 5

Our next destination on our vacation road trip was North Carolina. We stayed with Mark's parents for a few days. One of our trips was to Chimney Rock State Park. One of the most notable features in the park is a 315-foot (96 m) granite monolith, Chimney Rock, accessible by elevator and providing views of the park and surrounding countryside. Mark's Dad and I were the only two brave ones to make it up there. Mark and his mom waved at us as we looked down.

Hickory Nut Falls

Vacation- Gatlinburg.North Carolina Part 4

Our last day in Gatlinburg we ventured further into the Smoky Mountains National Park. We met up with Mark's parents who were vacationing as well (North Carolina). We met up at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center right outside of Cherokee, NC. We took a walk on a trail that let to Cherokee North Carolina.

Bridal Falls- North Carolina:

One of the most unusual and most popular falls in the South by virtue of its location along scenic mountain highway US 64. The old road, in fact, passes underneath the 60-foot high falls.

Glen Falls- North Carolina:

A 1 mile trail leads you to Glenn Falls. Three large waterfalls make up the falls, and each drops about 60 feet.

Mark was brave enough to walk behind the falls....YIKES!

Vacation- Gatlinburg Part 3

Ober Gatlinburg (Amusement Park and Ski Area, located in the mountains overlooking Gatlinburg, TN.

I rode the aerial tramway to Ober Gatlinburg. Mark drove up the mountain due to his dislike for heights. The 2.1 miles tram ride runs 17 miles per hour and takes about 10 minutes, and offers spectacular views of the mountains in the daytime and the sparkling lights of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and beyond!

As you can see the view was amazing and VERY high! I was able to see our hotel (Park Vista).

Smokey Mountain Wildlife Adventure also part of Ober Gatlinburg. Black Bears and many other animals lived. One of the many black bears enjoying his breakfast.

We ventured out to Chimney Tops Mountain. It’s located in the central Great Smokey Mountains and has an elevation of 4,800 feet. It’s a very popular hiking destination.

The trek up the mountain was extremely physically draining at times due to the high elevation and large rocks we climbed over. But alas we finally made it. At one point a group of people were hiking down the mountain and said "oh its worth the trip up", well we thought we were almost there....ha ha no way we had another hour up.

Chimney Tops is one of the few instances of a bare rock summit in the Smokies. Over the centuries, the bedrock atop the mountain has been exposed through natural weathering of the upper layers of soil strata. This rock is mostly Anakeesta Formation metamorphic rock, especially slate, phyllite, and metasiltsone. The grainy, contorted capstones offer excellent footholds and handholds for climbing.

We knew we were close to the top because the temperature dropped extremely! We went from sweating to freezing. My fingers actually felt numb. When we made it to the top, you had to climb over the summit rock....however the rock was very slippery (maybe because of a previous rain) so we opted not climb, Mark had already had his fill of the mountain and was ready to get back on normal ground. I decided to take a few photos of the side views of Chimney Tops.

Definitely a somewhat fun experience. At least I can say I made it to the top and didn't quit! There were times while we were hiking up the mountain that I wanted to stop and turn back. Out of breath sometimes and in pain from previous hikes I decided to endure and make it to the top. Well we did it! Had fun! And totally admired God's creation!

Vacation- Gatlinburg Part 2

Along Cades Cove and the Smokey Mountain National Park there are many old buildings, churchs, homes and barns.

Cades Cove Methodist Church

Built in 1902 by carpenter/pastor, John D. McCampbell. The buildings two front door design was common in the 1800's in the Smokies and elsewhere. Generally a two front door design allowed men to enter and sit on one side of the chapel and women and children on the other. Some churches even had a divider in the middle of the chapel. However, the Cades Cove's Methodist congregation was more relaxed and sat where they pleased. Yet the peaceful setting and harmonious design of the church building did not shield this Smokies congregation from controversy. The Cades Cove Methodist was troubled by division during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Dissidents split off and formed the Hopewell Methodist church. The Hopewell building no longer stands.

Hiking to Abrams Falls in Cades Cove.

Mark checking out one of the old barns.

Finally reaching Abrams Falls and enjoying the beautiful falls....one of the many we saw on our trip.

Vacation- Gatlinburg Part 1

This past May, Mark and I took a well needed vacation to Gatlinburg Tennessee. Our first adventure in our favorite town we drove through the Smokey Mountain National Park and visited Cades Cove. Its truly a beautiful place to be. The glorious beauty of God's handy work just makes you stop and stare and be amazed at his awesome work!

One of the many deer we saw in Cades Cove. This one was actually about 2 feet away from us.

Cades Cove was sooo beautiful and green, you cant help but stare and be amazed.

New Addition to the Family

It is with great pride and happiness that I introduce the new addition to our family. As some of you know my brother in law & sister in law (David & Michele Pentecost) have been in the process of adopting a child from Russia since Fall 2007. On April 9th, 2009 they brought home their son Jack Pentecost. Check out their journey and meet my awesome, sweet and wonderful nephew- http://adoptionexpedition.blogspot.com/