Trip to the Mountains- Part 1

We took our annual trip to the mountains this weekend.  Oh how we needed it.  This past week Marc was gone for the whole week- partly for his high school reunion, partly for a big case in Tampa.  While he was gone our home went crazy!  In addition to the normal intensity that we have we added on a rained-out campout where all their gear came back soaked and muddy, a piano recital, basketball try-outs where I had words with the director...twice, exploding bowl of soup, power outages over and over, house alarm troubles, retainer breaking, ants in the car, new tires, oil change, etc.  All while Daddy was gone.

We were so grateful this vacation was already on the books and paid for so we had to take time to get away and be together without home chaos.  As usual, I drove so Daddy could continue working.  He took many calls on the ride up. 

We found out that the Christmas music has started.  Marc LOVES Christmas music and kept changing the station when I wasn't looking.  :)    It's too soon!!! 

As we started seeing the pretty leaves changing I felt my blood pressure lowering.  I always feel better getting away to nature. 

We got a condo at a resort time instead of a cabin.  We did that mainly because this condo came with a pack-n-play and high chair and that saved us a lot of room in the car.  Also, it has awesome amenities like a 24-hour indoor pool.   And we still get three bedrooms, kitchen, fireplace, views, etc.   The boys were thrilled to see a chess board on the coffee table.  We had, of course, brought our own chess pieces. 

After getting the rooms set up we went out for pizza at an arcade/pizza place. 

Annie got to use her new coat and bear hat.  :)  Oh so cozy!

Then we put her to bed and I took Julia, Tucker and Charlie to the pool.  Marc and Marky stayed home to do work/homework respectively. 

We all slept in this morning after our long day of traveling and staying up late to swim.  We had a late breakfast at the pancake house.  This squeaky pig cracked Anastasia up!

 

The pancake house happened to be literally right next door to the Jurassic Safari ride.  We have been passing this ride for years and never tried it so we finally gave it a whirl.  It was cute, but cheesy.

After that we drove into the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and looked around.

After hiking around we stopped by some artisan shops at The Mill district and then went to our dinner theater show- Pirate Voyage!  It was truly AMAZING and so professional.  The pirates are incredible gymnasts and entertainers.  They did all sorts of aerial acts and high dives into the water. 

 

 

 Annie loved waving her flag for Team Crimson!

After the dinner show we went to Mass.  After Mass we went to Dollywood to see the Great Pumpkin Luminights.  :)  Anastasia got a little nap in finally.  She was an ANGEL BABY all day long. 

The entire park is filled with AMAZING jack-o-lantern art!  It goes on and on.  This guitar played music and had a light show.