Trip to the Mountains Part 1

This past weekend we finally had a change to take Anastasia to meet my grandfather, Pawpaw!  It was such a treat to see him.  We try to get up to see him about twice a year, but with the pregnancy it had been over a year.

The children played a game of Monopoly while we had afternoon rest time-

On Saturday we went to see PawPaw's sister- Aunt Rachel.  She is 83 and still running an adorable and successful gift shop.  Annie gave her a sweet smile!

Pawpaw "babysat" while we shopped a little.  :)

As we headed home on Saturday afternoon we stopped at the half way point- Pigeon Forge, TN, to have a mini-vacation.  We went to Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures dinner theater show.  Right now they are putting on a "Christmas Celebration."  Obviously it is nowhere near Christmas, but big Marc especially adores all things Christmas and wanted to go!  And it is Christian, wholesome family entertainment.  

 Anastasia loved Mrs. Claus-

Daddy got us all hot chocolates before the show-

The food was delicious and the show was great.  The performers are gymnasts and do amazing tricks-

Ice skating-

This was the Nutcracker section- she's the sugar plum fairy-

Mary and Joseph and the Nativity were the highlight of the show-

An angel came down and a dove flew into her hands.  It was so moving.

They passed out Santa letters, which is something we never do.  Charlie filled his in.  I love that he wrote that he'd been "happy" this year- not naughty or nice.  :) 

We loved our cabin.  It was decorated with extra flare!

Annie liked to stretch out on a blanket and roll, roll, roll.  :)

Every corner had something cute to look at.  This was over the closet in the master bedroom.

And we loved swimming in the hot tub before bedtime.

Sunday morning we drove into Gatlinburg and started the day with Mass at St. Mary's.

 It's just a fun town to walk around.  There are so many shops and things to do.

We had lunch at the Galinburg Brewery-

Little Bit was happy, but then got really sleepy. If we hold her on her side with a pacifier and a soft toy by her face and she falls fast asleep.

She kept looking like she was "dabbing" during lunch.  :)  (Yes, she had a wardrobe change)-

We loved seeing the Avengers car at the car museum.  

And they loved the "Shoot Em Up Cinema" 7D movie experience- the seats move around and they blow wind and mist during the show.

 The boys and I rode the Earthquake ride.

Then we stopped at Daddy's favorite ice cream place- Kilwins.  The boys got those Notre Dame hats while we were out. 

Then we walked over to the Aquarium of the Smokies-

The pigeons loved the ice cream-

 I will say- the aquarium is VERY nice- nicer than you might imagine.  I am so glad we went.

Piranhas!

Land-walking fish!

Anastasia was asleep for the first part of the tour, but woke up in time for the tunnel of fish.  She loved the fish!

 

Touching jelly fish-

 And horseshoe crabs-

And we all loved the Penguin Playground-

To Be Continued.....