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.