DISCOVERING DOLLYWOOD || A BIRTHDAY TRIP FOR DELTA MAE

This year, Delta Mae asked for an overnight trip for her birthday. I figured visiting Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country could be fun and since three out of four of us Brumfields had never been before, we booked the trip. We also asked Delta Mae if she’d like to bring a friend and she invited Ansley to come along with us. We left early in the morning on Saturday, June 26, and made it in time to spend our first day at the amusement park.

First impressions weren’t that great, honestly. It felt like we had to walk in a good way before we started seeing any rides, but once we made it around to the back area of the park, we started having a lot of fun. I downloaded the app, which shows wait times (among other things) and if you visit, I highly recommend downloading and using it.

The park closes at 9:00pm in the summer and we were able to ride a lot of the rides, but not all. Luckily for us, we purchased season passes and we’re headed back in a few weeks for Wyatt’s birthday too!

And here are a few shots from our visit to Dollywood's Splash Country.

It was a fun time and we're looking forward to getting some use out of our season passes. =)

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CHICKEN’S LITTLE CELEBRATION

In all of Chicken's nine years, we've hosted a birthday party of some sort until this year. That's because her big gift was a trip to Dollywood, but I still tried to put together a little something special after we got home from the trip yesterday evening. So while Brad took the kids to the pool, I inflated some balloons, hung up the same "celebrate" garland that we've used for years, and clipped a few roses out of the front yard. I picked up a cake and candles from Publix and called it done.

Time for presents!

The look I got after I told Bradley we only got her two presents and she was opening the fifth one...

We also reached out to our neighbors that own Sign Gypsies and they set up a Happy Birthday sign while we were out of town. Delta Mae was so surprised and excited when we drove up and she saw it.

Love you, Delta Mae!

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NINE YEAR OLD DELTA MAE

Delta Mae, our Honey Chicken, you're NINE years old!!! You are the most beautiful Little Lady. You have the biggest heart, always putting others' wants and needs before your own. ALWAYS. You are a lover of hugs, which is fairly new because once upon a time, you refused to let me rock you to sleep. You hate bad words. All bad words. Stupid and shut-up are not acceptable. You won't even call someone an idiot, but for some reason, imbecile it okay. You are still a lover of lambs, chocolate, and Taco Bell, but this year you requested Panda Express as your birthday supper meal.

You continue to love painting, art, and design. For your birthday this year, you asked for a desk. Without knowing, our neighbors offered one to you and you were beyond thrilled. (Thank you, John and Brandi.) You also requested an overnight trip, so we took you and your friend, Ansley, to Dollywood. More on that later.

We are so blessed to call you ours, Sweet Girl. I can't wait to make more memories with you, Chicken.

Happy Birthday, Delta Mae!

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EXPLORING ALABAMA || GREEN MOUNTAIN

While perusing Instagram yesterday, I came across a photo taken atop Green Mountain along the nature trail in Huntsville, Alabama. It was so beautiful, I immediately wanted to visit.

Since the kids are out of school for fall break, we drove down and took a 2-mile hike around the lake and I took photos along the way. The changing leaves and reflections on the water were just a pretty as I'd hoped.

If you're in the area, I highly recommend going. The trail is very family-friendly and the views are breathtaking.

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