Kissel Vacation in Gatlinburg

I am so behind on the blog!

Jake and I vacationed in Gatlinburg two weeks ago with his side of the family. We drove to TN from PA on Friday, unloaded the truck on Saturday morning (Thanks for all the help Dad, John, Zach and Caleb!), and then drove to Gatlinburg for a week of fun. We had suitcases packed and set aside for vacation, so we didn't need to worry about unpacking boxes or settling in before vacation.

After we settled in at the resort and spent a day at the pool, the women took the kids into Gatlinburg while the men went golfing. Our resort had a trolly to take us in and out of town!

Our family vacation consisted of 9 adults and 7 kids! It was so good that we could all be together for a whole week.

While we were out, a random lady asked if we were on a day care field trip...I laughed and told her we are on a family vacation!

Savannah and Alma

I don't remember what they were looking at in this picture!

Guys playing cards in our condo

Lillian laying in our bath tub...it was huge!

All of the kids except for baby Mallory. They were hanging out on our bed before dinner when it was our night to cook!

Each family took a night to cook dinner for the entire crowd. I'm so glad we did this because I only had to cook one night and it was very relaxing. This picture is after dinner in our cabin...just hanging out and visiting!

We celebrated Savannah's 5th birthday with cake and ice cream



 Grandpa John and Mallory

Hiking in the smoky mountains

 

The kids did so well on the hike!

Savannah and Josiah holding hands...so cute!

Josiah pulling up his pants! Hehe...

Jake and I enjoyed the views from the sky lift in Gatlinburg

Andrea just happened to be vacationing with her family the same week, at the same place as us! We were SO excited to reconnect after not seeing each other for a little over a year! We had no idea we were both in Gatlinburg until we sent some text messages back and forth. So glad we didn't miss an opportunity to catch up!

Jacob and Jake

Jojo and Uncle Zach

Lillian wanted me to get some pictures of her face painting. She loves cats

Silly Lillian eating breakfast

Jake, Grant, John and Zach

We Will Miss You Sadie

Sadie has been my family's beloved puppy dog for the past 8 years. She sadly passed away last Monday after suffering from several health issues. She was such a joy and a loving companion to our family. Sadie was completely deaf her whole life and acquired a sudden on-set retinal disease which resulted in complete blindness about 3 years ago.

Even though she could never hear we still talked to her as if she could hear us, told her to hurry up when waiting for her to do her business, loved on her, whispered in her ears and called for her. We had her hearing tested shortly after we got her because she didn't bark when the doorbell rang and didn't flinch when we banged pots together. In fact, when our house was broken into in North Carolina, she completely slept through the intruder breaking down the front door.

When Sadie lost her eyesight, her overall health began to decline because she couldn't go on walks or exercise like she did before. Her heart suffered from her sedentary life. She used to be so playful and show so much excitement. Towards the end of her life, she slept most of the time and was always willing to cuddle. I give major credit to my parents for being her main care givers when she required a lot of extra attention and maintenance. I know it wasn't easy, but they did a great job!

We love you little Sadie Pie!

May 28, 2003 - April 9, 2012

I found a few pictures from over the years...

Caleb loving on Sadie...

Sadie sleeping on my old papasan chair

Sadie and I before my Senior prom

Sadie used to be too scared to walk down the stairs (left). Sadie and I when I was in high school (right).

 

Seth and Sadie. No idea when this was...Seth's sophomore year maybe??

Sadie and I when I was in 9th grade. The picture is weird because I was learning how to develop film in a black room and this was one of my first attempts!

Sadie in the kitchen in Huntersville, NC

Sadie in Knoxville in 2011.