Oconaluftee Indian Village

After Newfound Gap, we headed to Oconaluftee Indian Village. We ate a picnic lunch before heading into the village. Once inside, we watched several Indian dances and then toured the village. We watched several different kinds of weaving, making a canoe, a hunting demonstration, and saw various types of houses the Cherokee Indians have lived in through the years. Our last stop was the gift shop. The owner gave Emmaline and Kayla matching necklaces. I don't know if she has a family member with Down syndrome or what, but it was nice that she appreciated the uniqueness of both girls.

The Gang eating lunch

Emmy and Mommy

Katie, Ellie, and Jacob by a hut
(Jacob is trying to show the bug crawling on his arm.)

Mommy and the kiddos outside a log cabin

The Harvesting Dance

Emmaline and Daddy
She loved the dancing and would clap after each one.

Jacob next to some beadwork

Newfound Gap

On our way to Cherokee, North Carolina, we stopped at Newfound Gap. The state line between Tennessee and North Carolina runs through here. There was a nice breeze blowing and we even got to see a black bear!

The Kids
Andy, Jen, Katie, Dee, and Angel

Dad, Mom, Katie, and Andy

In the woods near the Appalachian Trail

The black bear

Emmy liked playing in the moss on this wall

Jacob and Daddy on a tall wall

Jacob thought this hole in the rock was the perfect cup holder for his water bottle.

Kayla and Angel by the state line

The Hot Tub

The kids had a lot of fun in the hot tub. It was near a hornets' nest, so they could only use it at night, but they didn't mind. They pretended lots of different things while in it and only came out when we made them.

Showing their muscles

Emmy pleading to come out

Relaxing with Uncle Andy

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Today we visited the aquarium in Gatlinburg. It was super hot, so the air conditioning felt really nice. Afterward, we walked down the main strip and then ate dinner at Cherokee Grill.

Ellie

Auntie Angel helps Emmaline steer the ship

Jacob under a "jellyfish"

Ellie watching the fish swim around

Jacob

Emmaline thought it was funny to step on this flounder and feel it shake

Not happy!

Jacob touching a horse shoe crab

Ellie and Jacob by a fish tank
(Notice Nathan peering through from the other side)

Cabin Fun

We met all of my siblings (3 sisters and 1 brother) at this cabin outside of Gatlinburg. It was great having everyone together. We hadn't seen my oldest sister and her family in over two years, so it was nice having them with us. The cabin had a pool table, air hockey table, arcade machine, and hot tub. When we weren't out having fun, there was lots to keep us busy.

My nephew, Andy, and my brother, Andy
(just as confusing as it sounds!)

My sister, Angel, and her husband, Gary

Jacob and Kayla
By the end of the trip, Kayla was calling "Yakie" her best friend

Colton and Jacob playing Kinex

Gary grilling carne asada in the rain
Before the trip, we joked with Angel and Gary that they needed to bring this yummy steak with them from California. A couple days before we left, a package arrived at my parents' house filled with 15 lbs. of steak and lots of dry ice. We drove it down to the cabin and it was delicious!

Kayla and Jacob playing air hockey

Mommy and her girls

Kayla during the water fight

Andy and Nathan practicing on the upper deck

Jacob and Ellie's "room"
It was actually the walk-in closet in our bedroom, but they loved having their own private space.

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Kayla and Jacob playing video games

Emmy hiding in the cabinet

Aunt Katie, Emmy, and Ellie on the deck

World Down Syndrome Day

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! It is so nice to have this day set aside to honor those we know with Down syndrome. It took me a little while last year to figure out why they chose March 21 to be World Down Syndrome Day every year, but then it dawned on me...DUH! People with Down syndrome are born with 3 of the 21st chromosome, hence the significance of celebrating on 3-21.

We've made so many friends through the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association and we honor every one in our group. Today is extra special for us though, because we especially honor our daughter, Emmaline, and our niece, Kayla. This time last year, I wasn't looking at their disorder as a blessing, but God has done a lot of growing in me this past year. Now, I can truly celebrate their uniqueness and their importance. What a special blessing these two little girls are to our family and to everyone that they meet. If I could stress one thing to everyone, it would be not to underestimate those who are differently-abled. God made them just as He intended and our world would be a very sad place if we didn't have them.

We love you, Emmaline and Kayla! We are so glad that God blessed us with you!

Emmaline Kate
13 months old today!

Kayla Ann Marie
4 1/2 years old