Tennessee

  

 Wednesday morning we all went out for pancakes, which are a thing in Pigeon Forge, but we were all pretty disappointed. Josh's pancakes are much better and it was expensive for breakfast. We did some shopping afterwards and Josh's family went back to the house and then we did too. We played some games and sat out on the deck a lot. That night Josh made pizza for dinner and it was good. We also watched the Back to the Future trilogy in the movie theater in the basement (one a night for a few nights in a row) and that was fun because Lily and Curtis had never seen it. 

                          

                                                     

Thursday we decided we wanted more mountain time and Josh really wanted to see a bear so we went up this road in the national park that was very curvy and followed a river and it was very beautiful but no bears. We pulled over at a picnic area and the kids all played in the river for awhile and threw a lot of rocks into it. It was beautiful and a lovely way to spend the morning and it was one of the few things we did all together out of the house. Josh's family wasn't up for much adventure and so we did most things on our own but this was a nice morning. Then we went to the Dolly Parton Stampede dinner show and we took Josh's dad for his birthday. No one else would come with us though. It was definitely an experience. The show was fun and we all enjoyed the horse tricks and arielist and the wagon magic trick and the singing and dancing. There were also buffalo and cattle and little ponies and at one point there was a chicken chase that was funny. The food was pretty good but it was a whole roasted chicken and my younger kids weren't quite sure how to eat that and we were all in a long row so it was hard for me to help them, plus I did feel a little rushed while eating. So I don't think I would ever do it again but I'm glad we went and it rounded out our Tennessee experience. 

 

 

 

 

                                                      

Friday morning Josh made his pancakes (so delicious!) and then we went back to the Apple Barn for more cider and doughnuts and Josh's mom got some apple pies to celebrate dad's birthday that night. We looked around the Christmas shop and the candy store and being there really made me want to take the kids to Vermont. A New England trip is next on our list of places around the country that we want to take the kids. But then we went and did the Alpine Coaster. It wasn't crowded at all and we got right on. Emma was very nervous and so was Lily so we sent the two of them together and Brandon came with me. We had a very chill ride down and Josh was kind of frustrated because he had to keep slowing down so as not to run into the girls. So we decided to go again now that no one was nervous. We sent Josh first and then Curtis and then us and then the girls and everyone had a good ride. Emma learned that she needs to trust us when we tell her something is going to be fun and not freak out. It was pretty expensive for such a quick ride but it was another vacation experience that was fun and I'm glad we did it. It was unique and pretty to be in the woods/on the mountain and I actually really liked going up as much as going down. Then we went back to the house for a steak dinner and apple pie for dad's birthday. Then everyone else was tired or they felt like the needed to pack up so that's when we watched the last Back to the Future movie. 

 

Saturday we packed up and hit the road before 10 and drove home. It was another easy drive and we got home by 6, got pizza and did laundry and ready for Sunday. 

I was not super excited about this trip for a few reasons but it turned out well. Our family had a lot of fun together and we enjoyed the time we spent with Josh's family around the house. It was especially fun to see his brother and family since it had been two years since the last time and his kids are now 3 and 5 and they adored my kids. We experienced a new state and checked out the Smoky Mountains and really the only disappointments were the water issues with the house and not seeing a bear. We did see a raccoon though. We did a fire and smores Tuesday night and a raccoon was trying to get friendly with us but Josh finally chased it off. Then we did it again Thursday night and Josh and his dad and I sat around the fire for a long time and that was nice. But the raccoon didn't come back out so that was good. Then Friday we were standing on the deck and looked down and there was the raccoon again with three little babies and they were super adorable. But it was fun to do something new and different and while I don't think we'll go back anytime soon, I'm glad we did it. I really do love my kids and it was wonderful to spend a week all together as a family having adventures together.