Easter!

Have no fear, the Easter Bunny can still hop up the Smoky Mountains to lay some delicious candy eggs and bring nice baskets!

Searching for eggs in our matching outfits that the Bunny brought!





Charlotta says, "I'm good with four eggs, you guys can have the rest!" She sits down and starts cracking them open. Soon, everyone joins her!




"A Birdie!!!" (Lena: Who cares!)

Toren at his first Easter.

Toren and his godmother, Visa.

Papa, enjoying watching his kids be happy!

Unfortunately, after this we had lunch and then everyone had to split up. Lovisa and Papa had to head back to work up north and the rest of us headed back to Nashville. I had a great time with my mom doing a little shopping for our Kentucky Derby adventure coming up! I can't believe I now own FOUR large fancy hats and I am actually excited about wearing them!

See the shutterfly site for all of the pictures from our fantastic weekend!

Day 2 in the Smokies!

Today we decided to reverse our day and do Dollywood first so that the little ones could enjoy it before their naps. They all loved it, but no one liked it more than Charlotta. She was in heaven and her smiles say it all!

Not sure about this reindeer...

OK, I LOVE IT!

Brennen enjoys it as well.

Toren gets his first carousel ride with Mormor.

Of course, Lena had to be with Skylar. However, the ride Nazi wouldn't let Skylar ride on a horse with her or stand next to her so they had to sit on the "boring bench."

The ducks more than made up for the "lame carousel"!

After lunch, we took the little ones home for nap and the big ones and a few adults went for a 2 mile hike! The kids made it with just a little complaining out of Skylar.


If you spent $40 at Dollywood, then you got a free disposable camera. Kellen and James were all about taking pictures with their cameras. Especially Kellen. He took about 25 pictures of Lovisa (and her knee) in the van on the ride over and saved about 3 for the hike. He did enjoy taking the pictures though.

At the top of our hike.

As we were driving home, we had a bear sighting!

Day one in the Smoky Mountains

We landed in Nashville and headed right over to the Smoky Mountains. We checked in, got some dinner (yummy Indian food!) and went to bed. Waking up the next morning, this is the view from our deck!

We decided to start the morning with a little hike. Crossing our first bridge.


Visa offered to backpack Charlotta while I pushed the stroller (which was not used even one time!).



Skylar and Little Lena bonded on the car ride to the Smokies and after that Lena did not want to leave Skylar's side the whole trip. Skylar helping Lena across a puddle.

Back on their way again.

Crossing the river. The stroller gets abandoned here!


Finally, we reach the waterfall.

Lena enjoying the view.

We have a little snack.

Skylar decided she must climb the waterfall!

While Skylar is gone, Lena kept calling into the hollow tree for Skylar. "Where are you?!"

Skylar makes it to the top...

So then of course, everyone wants to climb! Brennen also. I told him he was too little to climb the waterfall by himself, so he storms off the other way all mad at me.

Lovisa goes to get him and asks him what is wrong. "My mommy says I'm too little!" Knowing what that feels like (she is the fifth), she decides to help him up the waterfall.

Everyone making the climb, while the little ones continue eating.


They all made it!

Including me!

Kellen forgoes the attempt to stay dry!

Little Lena reunited with her darling Skylar!

Then we headed off to lunch, which had a beautiful garden as a waiting room!


After lunch, we headed back to our cabin and put the little ones down for a nap. Then the Deans (-2 little ones) headed over to Dollywood (an amusement park) for a little fun and some ice cream!

Little Lena would not even consider going to sleep without her Skylar!

On our way to Nashville for Easter Break!

So crazy mommy has decided to try and fly alone with her five kids instead of making the 13-15 hour drive by herself. We will see which is less stressful. So far it is going very well. The layover in Minneapolis was not bad because they have a really fun play area for the kids.

Charlotta must have gone down the slide 100 times!


Watching the money go round and round...

Riding the "rides."


Skylar and James climbing where they should probably not be climbing, but hey, at this point, I just want them entertained!

Family Bike Ride!

We loaded everyone up and headed off to the park. It was a great morning for everyone!