Home Again

Despite the late night, everyone naturally woke up about 8:30. We got ready and went down to breakfast at the hotel - where Brooke took the role of official photographer / videographer. We then packed up and hit the road a bit after 10am.

On the way out of Nashville we drove by 2 of the Jenni's locations out of curiosity. Then officially began our journey. Only 2 official pit stops (McDonalds lunch & Starbucks for bathroom and coffee) and then a quick run into the grocery for dinner. Got in a little after 7pm. Everyone was happy to be back!

Goodbye Gatlinburg ... Hello Nashville

Our last morning in the cabin in Gatlinburg and there were a few things we just had to do.
Number One: One last hot tub.

























Number Two: Game Room!

From Gatlinburg we took a 3.5 hour drive to Nashville. Checked into the hotel and hit the streets. It was way muggier in Nashville and we felt it right away. Had some issues figuring out where to go because we wanted to try something new. Went into Savannah's Candy Kitchen for a few treats and then to the Wildhorse Saloon. We heard this place was pretty kid friendly and they do country line dancing lessons throughout the day.

Country Line Dance Lessons. Luke was a bit uncooperative (but insisted on participating).
Ryan did great, despite initial refusal to even try.

I was shocked Brooke tried this on. It did glitter and shine, but it was
still a cowboy hat. I figured that was her line in the sand. Guess not! Sparkles trump
her anti-country stance.

Our intention was to hit up one of the other honkey tonks on Broadway, but it was later than we thought and nobody would let us in with the kids. Not a big deal, we went to Margaritaville (which was where Ryan wanted to go anyway) and caught a great duet playing a few songs before we finally called it a night. Of course, because it was late ... it was time to pull out the candy bribes we had picked up at Savannah's earlier.

Afterwards, three exhausted kids and two exhausted parents, head back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

He Said / She Said

Luke (to Ryan): I can hold my pee for one million seconds. How many can you hold yours for?

Downtown Gatlinburg

Started off the day with an AM hot tub!

Next we went to a really late breakfast at Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant. This was not our original destination for breakfast, but we went out to breakfast so late all the popular breakfast spots were already closed ;)

After breakfast we went mini golfing at Gatlins. Luke creamed the other two. Brooke was eaten up by mosquitoes so our next mission was to find a Walgreens and get some Benadryl and anti-itch medicine. After that problem was solved, we head back up to Anakeesta for some ice cream and beautiful views.

Ended the night with a movie in the theater room, and our last night hot tub.

Great Smokey Mountain National Park & Anakeesta

Started off the day with some Golden Tee. Luke has become quite the player!

Then hopped in the car, and took a drive.





Stopping for donuts on the way.













And went hiking to Grotto Falls in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. 1.4 Miles out and 1.4 Miles back to see a waterfall we could walk behind (only one in the park).
Hike up was good, but the kids started to get tired. Luke complained the whole hike back. The waterfall was really neat and so were the views on the way up and down.

After hiking we went to lunch in downtown Gatlinburg and then took the Anakeesta lift up to the top of the mountain. The kids were definitely thrilled with that - and we saw a baby bear on the way up!

At the top we did a treetop bridge course, played in some treehouses and just enjoyed the view.

What a great, long day!

Dad & Ryan On Way Up

Dad & Luke On Way Up

Mom & Brooke On Way Up

Treetop Bridges

Amazing Views!

White Water Rafting & North Carolina

Went rafting on the Lower Pigeon with Rafting in the Smokies. The boys definitely wanted bigger rapids ... Brooke was happy with the level 1-2 that we got. We didnt get any pictures from rafting because you couldnt really take them while rafting. And the rafting company DID take a few pics of our boat, but there were random people with us  :(



After rafting we decided to have dinner in Asheville NC. Went to Wicked Weed brewing and then to Sunshine Sammie's for dessert. The kids didn't like their noodles for dinner and actually all thought the ice cream sandwiches were too big to eat! The grownups had no issues with dinner OR dessert.



It took 1.5 hours to get back to our cabin, where everyone jumped into the hot tub. Finished off night 2 with some more time in the game room, of course.

Dinner at Wicked Weed Brewing

Gatlinberg Night One

It took us 11 hours to get here but the kids went insane when they saw the cabin. It's beautiful ... but more importantly ... has a hot tub and a game room.



Picked up BBQ for the adults and Subway for the kids. Everyone was thrilled. Then went for a hot tub and watched a show while eating ice cream.



Kids finished off the night cuddling in Luke's room. He wanted to show them his awesome room with the tv (didn't notice they ALL have TVs!)

Road Trip

Woke up the kids at 5 to drive to Gatlinburg.

The plan was for them all to continue to sleep.

They didn't.

We are 2.5 hours into our 11 hour journey. I hoped they'd still be sleeping. Instead, we already broke out the activity sheets, then stopped for breakfast (and potty)... and are now starting a movie. Gonna be a long drive.

He Said / She Said

Luke (to Brooke): Thank you for being awesomer than a person that cannot talk.
... (pauses) Its a cactus.

Steve & Kate’s Camp

Today Brooke hung out in the karaoke studio with Lily and Kyla!