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My wife, Susan, and I welcomed our first grandchild earlier this year year, and to say he has turned our world upside down (in the very best way) is an understatement. He is practically perfect! In the history of all the world's grandchildren, I can assure you there has never been a cuter one than mine. See for yourselves: ...

We live in an age of seemingly endless options. Just walk down your local grocery store aisle and you’ll be reminded how true that statement is. Want some cereal? Here are 1,278 options. Peanut butter? You can have crunchy or smooth or organic or sugar-free or honey roasted or unsalted or Peter Pan or Smuckers or…have you considered almond butter? The endless options can be wonderful, but they can be equally as exhausting to sort through, and we often end up suffering from analysis paralysis as ...

Four million babies are born in America each year, and nearly 6,000 of those are born with an extra chromosome that results in Down syndrome. On four consecutive July days in 2019, four children with this condition were born on the very same floor of the very same hospital. Down syndrome affects less than .01% of all babies in America, and the chances of a hospital delivering four affected children in four consecutive days is highly unlikely. This unlikely event resulted in a beautiful story tha ...

Everyone has a hero. Many heroes are found working behind the scenes, doing the thankless work that keeps our communities going. Whether it be a mother, pastor, teacher, service member, or friend, a hero sacrifices time and talents for the betterment of those around him or her. People like this are the backbones of society. ...

Everyone has a hero. Many heroes are found working behind the scenes, doing the thankless work that keeps our communities going. Whether it be a mother, pastor, teacher, service member, or friend, a hero sacrifices time and talents for the betterment of those around him or her. People like this are the backbones of society. ...

There is never a dull moment in Gatlinburg. Surrounded by the abundant beauty of the mountains, this place never ceases to draw in a crowd of people from all over the world. However, Gatlinburg offers more than just scenery. This city is filled with dozens of fun and exciting attractions. ...

The weather is starting to warm up and the flowers are starting to bloom which means that spring is just around the corner! You don’t have to venture far into the park to enjoy a hike. If you’re a beginner hiker looking for a leisurely walk... ...

Did you know that Ripley’s of the Aquarium of the Smokies was voted the #1 Aquarium in all of the United States? Here are just a few reasons why: ...

In 2022, we're celebrating 50 Years of Mountain Memories at Mountain Laurel Chalets. Share your story online and use the hashtag #MLC50 to be featured in our blog. ...

When staying at one of our Gatlinburg cabins and chalets, some guests like to eat in as much as possible to save money, enjoy their family and of course to enjoy the views of the mountains. Where should you shop for groceries? Some of our guests shop for all of their groceries at home and pack them up in coolers and bags and bring them with to their Gatlinburg vacation. That way you get exactly what you need to make the perfect meals. Others choose to shop in town. We would like to recomm ...