Happy First Birthday Reed

Reed was 1 Year Old yesterday and we had a full day. My mom and Rick's mom were both here which was a very nice treat for the kids. Rick's mom had been staying at our church for the week with a Catholic Work Camp group so we picked her up on the way to Gatlinburg.


We ate lunch at Olive Garden (Millie's favorite restaurant)on the strip in Sevierville and then headed up the Mountain to Gatlinburg.
Our first stop was at The Aquarium of the Smokies. The kids enjoyed it and the best part was them looking through the tunnel in the fish tanks.


Millie loved the sharks and the moving sidewalk but Reed was a little unsure of what was going on in that dark tunnel. He did great though and enjoyed trying to touch the fish.

After the Aquarium, we were off, further up the mountain to hike to Grotto Falls. It was a little over a mile to get there. We had Reed in the backpack and Millie walked the entire way. She is a great little hiker because it was muddy and uphill the entire way.

Rick enjoyed throwing her in the waterfall.


While we were at the waterfall, a train (heard? group? gaggle?) of llama's were coming down the path.
The man leading them said they were all carrying dirty linens (at first I thought he said dirty women!) There was a lodge further up the trail about 6 miles that was part of the Appalachian Trail and they used the llamas to get supplies to and from the lodge.



In case you could not read the 'fine print', here is a close up. I noticed this sign on our way back from the waterfall. I don't think it was there when we went up. At least we had the llama close, surely bear would choose a llama before one of us to 'play' with.

We hurried back down the trail, dodging llama poo all the way, because the best part of the day was yet to come...THE CAKE!

We did not get back to our house until 6:30 and I told Millie she and Reed had to have some supper before cake. So we made a few quick grilled cheese sandwiches and then it was cake time. Since I am having someone do fancy cupcakes for Reed and Millie's joint birthday party in Indiana in a few weeks, I decided to make this cake myself. Ann could have done better but it tasted good and that is what is important!

Reed loved it and although we did not just set a piece in front of him to attack, he still got plenty dirty helping my mom shove it in. Not only did he eat his piece, but I think he got most of my mom's as well.


This is him signing "more" in between bites. Guess it was not coming fast enough.