Trip to the Mountains

Every fall we take a trip to the Smoky Mountains.  We used to go because it was the half-way point to my grandparent's house in Virginia, but now it is such a tradition that our fall doesn't feel complete without a trip to Tennessee.  We planned our annual trip on a weekend where Marky's football game was cancelled.  

At the very last minute, Julia begged us not to go.  Her horse barn was going to be filming a Veteran's Day parade show and she didn't want to miss it.  BB and Poppy came through and offered to take Julia and handle all horse events.  And then we decided to let Anastasia stay with BB and Poppy as well making this a boy trip!  

It was such a fun time having just the boys and really focusing on the things they like to do that don't always work with a baby or sister along.  Friday night we got to town and headed to the Lumberjack Feud show.  It was so much fun and would have been much harder to enjoy with baby girl as it was past her bedtime.  

 

On Saturday we slept in!!!!  It was glorious!  Then we walked around the river and enjoyed the fall colors before getting our Teddy Bear pancakes at FlapJacks.  

After brunch, Marc took the two little boys indoor sky diving.  We did that on New Year's Day, but Charlie had been to nervous to try and really wanted his chance.  They had a ball.  Meanwhile, Marky and I went shopping at the outets and got him some new basketball shoes for the season.  

Then they dropped me off at the most giant antique mall and they spent hours at the largest knife store in the world.  :)  The two little guys each got an ax and a swiss army knife.  

We found a wonderful local steakhouse off the beaten path and had a delicious supper without a long wait.  After supper we went to the Wax Museum.  We have always wanted to see inside this place, but Julia hates things like this.  It was the perfect time to see it.  Along with the wax museum they had video games and haunted house type experiences that we tried.  All things we would NEVER have done with the baby and Julia.  And this time, Mommy was participating in everything- not just sitting to the side with a stroller.  It was a real treat.  

This was such a fun game- the whole ride moves around while you shoot western zombies.  :)

We completed the mirror maze game-

After all the fun we went and tried Buzzed Bull ice cream, which was really interesting.  

We let the guys watch a movie at night with the fire going in the condo.  I think it was a bonding time for the three boys.  

The next day we slept in and then went up to Ober Gatlinburg for Octoberfest.  

We all rode the ski mountain coaster.  Charlie and I rode together-

Somehow the little boys MADE us ice skate.  I can ice skate, but Marc cannot and we both wondered why we were risking a fall at our age?  :)

Then we rode the giant tram down the mountain into Gatlinburg.

We had a great lunch and watched the saints play football at the Gatlinburg Brewery-

Then I went to the Craftsman's Festival at the Civic Center, while the boys went to the Hollywood Cars museum and to some other stores.  I love funny tea towels-

This was a really neat idea- all the Republican presidents together-

That night we went to Dollywood (we bought season passes last year that made it a free trip).  We love October in Dollywood, and were excited to see the Great Pumpkin Luminights.  

For the first time, the line at the Grist Mill wasn't too long and we got buy some of the famous cinnamon bread.  It met up to they hype.  

Tucker, Marky and I rode a lot of roller coasters- there were almost no lines.  

Charlie loves carnival games and so does Daddy-

This tree does a light and song show-

The next day we got up and packed up the condo and headed to Dollywood for half a day.  We rode EVERYTHING and did EVERYTHING.  It was a great day.  

It was such a great time with our boys.  I loved actually riding the rides and staying out late.

Thank you BB and Poppy for watching the girls so we could have this fun fall break!