Dog Days of Summer

Wednesday was a hot day in Bradford. Time to get out the kiddie pool! Lydia loved the pool at the resort but didn't know what to think of her own pool. I actually had to get in and show her it was okay! Certainly not the most flattering thing I've done in my life, not the best for my self image either! But I did it for Lydia, that's what is most important!

After she felt safe, she then pushed me away and wanted the pool to herself!! Sadie and Lydia had a great time playing as well. Lydia would hand a water toy to Sadie and then Sadie would take it and run to the bottom of the yard with it and Lydia would giggle! Too cute!

There's no place like home...

or your own bed!

The first day home and this is how we found Lydia when we went in to check on her during naptime!

Could you imagine?

Seriously... .could you imagine living in a place like this? William Vanderbilt did just that! This is his TN getaway... The Biltmore Estate!

The front of the "house"














back side view














One of the many gardens
















Lydia and Daddy visiting the Biltmore stables

Our little Strawberry Shortcake!

Today Lydia's outfit was a dress with strawberries on it. We also had strawberries for lunch. Lydia loved the berries... all of them!

Cades Cove part 2

Here are a few additional photos I felt were too cute not to show!

Another time, another place

Today our family visited Cades Cove. What an absolutely gorgeous place to visit... right in the middle of the Great Smokey Mountains. What adventures we had! Maria's only hope was to see a bear... she actually saw 3 of them. One was right next to the car, lounging on the road! Pretty cool! We also ran into a pretty bad storm, unfortunately we only made it halfway around the loop before this happened. :( So the rest of the trip was kinda quiet and wet! But the first half made up for the wet afternoon. It was so interesting touring all the old, historical buildings, even Lydia loved it!

More fun!

Here are a few other pictures of Lydia on the rides at Dollywood. I have decide that amusement parks are so much more fun when you have a little cutie to take along with you!