Aquarium in Gatlinburg!

A few weeks ago we took an early weekend and decided to head to the mountains as a family. While it wasn't as enjoyable as I had it planned out in my head (think 4 kids in a hotel room), we did have a good time. and one of the funnest parts was the aquarium.  Everyone that knew we were going to Gatlinburg said "you've got to go to the aquarium" and we're really glad that we decided to follow their advice!  The kids had a blast :)

Watching the penguins get fed. You don't see Cadence because she's up really close to the feeding and cut off from view. 

Feeding some kind of ray. Rays aren't impressive when you're from FL. I'm just saying....

 neither are lizards. but this one was big so it got its picture taken.

They had a really fun - but small - play area that we spent quite a bit of time at. This barrel would have squirted water if it wouldn't have been booty cold outside. 

this thing was a pirate head that talked and then blew air really loudly in  your face - 

HILARIOUS!! (to watch)

Caleb really liked to stand on the vibrating shell thing. 

and this is Tink. She didn't really play much but she was just getting used to us because she's new (at this point only with us for 1 week) but we're glad she's around!

more fish

wheels that turn - always a hit with the kids

 Overall, a super fun halfday in Gatlinburg that made the kids just tired enough to go back to our room and take a nap :)  and that's never a bad thing.....

Valentines Day 2012

Every year for Valentines Day, since Cadence came into our world, we have attempted a V-Day picture of our kids. What started out as a cute picture of an adorable, complaint little girl has changed considerable!  But we press on :)  So, even tho they're still not mailed out and it's the last day of February, I figured you should at least be able to look at the outtakes and final picture that was chosen.   

Happy Valentines Day!!  

Love, 

the Andersen 3

Final Product - should we ever actually mail it out......They're printed and everything!

skating!

So, I thought January was all summed up until I dumped Chris' phone pictures onto the computer and then I discovered that we had totally missed out on the kids first trip to the skating rink - and that just can't happen!  This is definitely blog worthy :)

Our church's awesome family pastor thought it would be a good idea to have a family skate night!  So, CCCM rented out one of the area's skating rinks (not as extravagant as it sounds) and we all headed over to show off our mad skating skills. It was such a great night, not only for our church body, but for all the kids as well and so, while there were lots of pictures of lots of our church family, these are the ones of the Andersen 3 skating it up!

Oh the agony of finding the right size skate to fit.....and the pep talk necessary to get her off of the carpet....

Out on the rink with Daddy for the first time!

 Creed walked around most of the night holding his shoe. I think he was hoping a skate would appear on his foot and he didn't want a shoe to be in the way :)

What could be more fun than an arcade game while everyone else is skating?

Doing Great!

 Caleb got to get in on the action too!  So, off he went in his little skates! 

 I know I'm biased but that may be one of the cutest things ever. 

Cadence Flying Solo!!

Creed's thought "forget skates, I'm just going to walk around out here with everyone"

and then we ordered nachos and Creed's thoughts of skating or walking left him completely :)

Such a fun night for our kids!! Thanks for being a great Daddy and Pastor to our children, Chris, it's more than we deserve.