Vacation

We recently had the opportunity to go on a fun family vacation with Bob's side of the family to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. We had a blast! We fit a lot into a weeks worth of time. We went to the aquarium, Cade's Cove, the Dixie Stampede dinner show, Dollywood, and we even fit in some shopping. We stayed in a cabin together and really enjoyed family time. Thanks to Chrissy for all the planning! Here are some pictures of the fun.

Here is the whole family.

(minus Bob's Aunt and Uncle and Cousin Michael who left before we took the pic)

Ben and Maggie enjoyed spending quality time with Grandpa
and Grandma all week.

Here is a family pic at the entrance to the park. There

was so much pretty scenery.

Maggie enjoyed playing with her cousins and their toys. :)

Here we are at the end of our second day in Dollywood.

We needed cotton candy to recharge.

Ben really enjoyed riding this ride with Daddy, Uncle Nate, and Will.

Daddy and the kids by an old car in Dollywood.

Although you can't tell by his expression, Ben loved

driving this little car.

Ben wouldn't try the splash pad at Dollywood, so we spent some

time at the sand tables instead. Dolly and Kenny were in the park the day we were there!

Bob and Ben posed for a cute picture.

Sleepy Girl

Grandma helped Ben make it through the kiddie adventure land.

Daddy and the kids taking a ride on the ducks.

Here we are riding the carousel.

All ready for the second day at the park (first full day).
We spent an evening and then the following day at Dollywood.

Ben, Will, and Sara enjoyed riding the pigs.

Mommy and Ben on the elephants.

Maggie enjoyed her first ride on a Farris wheel.

She was double strapped in, but I was still nervous.

Here is a pic of the steam engine that travels through the park.

This might have been Daddy and Ben's favorite ride.

There were many pretty things to see in the park.

Here we are on the first evening at Dollywood.

We enjoyed playing in the hot tub at our cabin. Uncle Tom

turned down the heat so the kiddos could get in too.

We visited Cade's Cove and saw some beautiful scenery and

several bears. This one was really close to us. He was right outside our

car window as we were leaving the Cove.

Here is a shot of the water wheel at the mill at Cade's Cove.

Ben was very intrigued by the mill. It was an actual working mill,

so he got to see corn being ground into cornmeal.

Another shot of the Mill.

We snuck in a family pic by the river at the mill.

Read this carefully. It was graffiti that we saw in one of the cabins at

Cade's Cove. We thought it was funny. I have no idea who John is.

The wildflowers were in full bloom during our visit.

Ben and Daddy crossing a creek.

The scenery was breathtaking!

Another family shot at one of the many cabins in the Cove.

Yes I started out in flip flops, but luckily I brought along my

running shoes and shorts. :)

Funny sign in the Cove.

Here is a shot of the cabins next to ours.

The one we stayed in looked very similar.

Grandma and Grandpa Keefer and Uncle Tom and Aunt Diane

let all of us enjoy a kid free night at the Dixie Stampede. The show

was great and the food was delicious. This is the first date night

that Bob and I have had since Maggie was born. Thanks!

Another family shot. We are on the front porch of the

cabin we stayed in.

Ben and Will enjoyed the Penguin Playhouse at the

aquarium!

Ben posing with a penguin.

Ben and Daddy playing at the aquarium.

Family shot at the aquarium. The two kids in the back

do not belong to us. :)