Smoky Mountain Getaway

Our condo was at the very top of the resort. We were completely enamored with this view!

Trent had Spring Break, and realizing it may be the last "Spring Break" he has we decided we better make it count. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is just 3.5 hours from our place and is nestled right up against Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We drove down with high hopes and happy spirits on Friday evening.

Just as we pulled into town Heidi, who had been riding quite quietly in the back seat piped up that she thought she had just thrown up a little. We pulled up alongside the check-in desk and waited in the fresh air as Trent went in to check-in. If there was any doubt how she was feeling it was erased when she got out of the car and threw up all over the driveway. She was miserable. Meanwhile Trent was inside for a very long time and came out and told me they couldn't find our reservation. This was perplexing since we had a printed paper with our confirmation on it. After and hour and a half of illness in the driveway they finally found our room- they had mixed up our name. 

We checked into our very cozy abode and hoped Heidi would sleep well enough. She threw up all night and at 3 AM Nathan joined her. At 4 AM Daddy joined in the fun. Needless to say it was a very miserable night for all involved. Luckily the bug passed quite quickly and after a couple days of laying low everyone was back to normal!

This is the sad sight of my little sickies-

On Sunday we found our way to the Sevierville Ward and enjoyed church. It was a rainy, foggy day and the perfect day to snuggle in and enjoy each other. 

Nathan was the master of making up games for us to play on this trip and below is one of his inventions-

The kids loved this sleeping arrangement. It was a huge pullout bed and we'd turn on the fireplace as they'd fall asleep, making it extra cozy.

They had little golf carts that would buzz people up and down the mountain. The kids thought that was pretty neat. 

Purely for memory's sake- we thought this motel/hotel in Pigeon Forge was so funny. The front part looked like it hadn't been touched since the early 70's yet they built the huge tower of "suites" right behind. Just a quirky little place we got a kick out of. 

The kids had a blast trying on hats and cowboy boots at a local outlet.

Matthew LOVED these red boots. We didn't buy anything but did enjoy the dress up!

Our condo was hidden up in the cloud a lot of the time. It's called the Smoky Mountains for a reason!

Another made-up game from Nathan. We enjoyed playing out on our deck before bedtime. The funniest part was his enthusiasm for a game that didn't really have a way of winning. The time we spent laughing and having fun together is what was priceless.

We enjoyed such a magical hike to Little Greenbrier School. It was a lovely trail- long enough to felt like we did something but short enough for the kids legs to handle. We loved the little bridges crossing the streams.

Matthew LOVED the backpack. He was so relaxed and almost asleep.

The Little Greenbrier School was used until the 1930's by residents of the mountain community. It was completely fascinating to see the simplicity of the surroundings and imagine the children who learned there. The kids enjoyed trying out the desks. 

There was a little fenced cemetery in the school yard. We read all the headstones. Many were infants and children. Life wasn't easy living in the mountains but the people who lived up there loved it and were a strong and hearty bunch. 

Love these boys...

Feeling great about crossing another bridge (and of course posing for another picture)-

I am so happy these kids are best friends!

Just wanted to include this series of pictures of our view out our deck in the various weather states we saw it in through the week. Gorgeous in every way! (I think if you click a picture you can blow it up and scroll through for a bigger image.)

 

Matthew thoroughly enjoyed putzing around our condo. I only brought a couple toys so he got a little creative. He loved playing with spoons, the unused cleaning sponge, and trailing unused garbage bags around.

We had a big tub and the kids went "swimming" in it. 

Matthew got his tubby time in the sink.

This was the most relaxing, cozy week we've had in who knows how long. It was absolutely wonderful to step away from all demands and enjoy the moment and each other. Our days spent together were such a blessing and I think we all left with hearts full of great memories.

You can always tell that Daddy dressed Matthew for bed when the onesie is over the sleeper. Regardless, he loved having the couch cushions on the floor where they were at a perfect height for him to squat down and have a little seat.

The entrance of our resort. The arches of over the driveway lit up with Christmas lights at night. Our room in the buildings you see at the top of the hill.

We had so much fun spending a day at the largest indoor water park in the South. While we budgeted for a day at this water park before coming, we were excited that it cost us virtually nothing. We were offered a "sales pitch" to buy into a timeshare with the promise of some cash and some free nights' stay in the future. They promised us it would only take 1.5 hrs. We put the older kids in the daycare and took Matthew with us. Well, 4 hours later they were finally done. They had to feed us both breakfast and lunch. Our sales guy was new to the job and he was VERY thorough. As the time wore on I tried to keep Matthew away to not interrupt their sales pitch. Eventually, after retrieving Heidi and Nathan, I decided they needed to know how grumpy Matthew was and I stood right by them so they would finally get a clue that (A) we were not going to buy in, and (B) they were out of time.

So our water park experience was the result of some sweat and Matthew's tears, but turned out to be quite enjoyable. There was something for all the kids to enjoy.

This was Matthew's first time swimming. He was so serious and quiet as he decided what he thought about it all. We all look green in these shots because the roof was green glass!

Fun in the lazy river. The kids loved going down the small slides and Heidi was tall enough to go down the big slides with Trent or me. She loved it.

Exhausted after a day at the water park but enjoying a little cookout!

Baking together...

On one of the stops at the visitors center at the National Park we saw this car parked- notice the hats on the dash? The license plate says "Santa C" and the back said "You are following Santa's other sleigh". On the side door it says "Christmas." Inside we found Santa and Mrs. C in their matching (and very authentic) vacation garb. The kids were intrigued.

Matthew enjoyed this bear in the museum-

Heidi and Nathan loved earning their Junior Ranger badges. They had to observe and journal their observations on our hikes as well as spend time learning in the museum. Nathan even had to interview a ranger and did a great job.

Once they'd completed all the requirements they recited the "oath of office" and took it super serious. They just loved it!

What an amazing week! We had lots of relaxing, exploring our beautiful surroundings, and just enjoying time together. We kept exclaiming that even though we weren't doing very many activities (and for a few days barely left our abode), the experience was magical. The weather was cozy and our time together was priceless. So many fun memories and I'm so grateful we got to go. We are happy we've found a great destination that is so close and can't wait to return!