The week of Thanksgiving we were fortunate and blessed enough to head to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with mom and dad for a much-needed getaway.
Things didn't quite go as expected, though--Monday night we took the girls to see "Breaking Dawn part 1" before taking off Tuesday morning. After getting home and getting everyone into bed, we thought we were settling in for a good night's sleep. A little after midnight, though, Abby and Emily woke us up with a case of the stomach bug. It wasn't pretty...
I had a planned physical Tuesday morning before we headed out of town, and so I was fortunate enough to score some anti-nausea meds. With those in hand, we decided to head out anyway in hopes that by the time we got there, the worst would be over.
It was a LONG trip up, but after a few stops, we finally made it.
Abby didn't eat much the entire week, and Emily would go through moments of feeling fine only to get sick again in the middle of the night. Even though we had to deal with everyone not feeling so hot, we still managed to have a good time and celebrate being together and away from home for a little while!
Day #1--Dollywood!
It was beautiful weather, and seeing everything decked out for Christmas helped to put us all in a more festive mood!
Getting ready to board the Polar Express!
Evening time with all the lights on was beautiful!
Even with upset tummies, the girls could eat this pie! :)
Abby enjoying her ride
Day #2:Gatlinburg
A trip to Gatlinburg is never complete until we stop in at the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen (we've been stopping there since I was a little girl).
YUM!!!
Since we first learned we would be heading to the mountains, Emily had not stopped talking about wanting a sausage dog from Fannie Farkles. Her upset tummy didn't stop her from getting one. It did, however, stop her from eating it--she only took one bite! Hopefully on our next trip she will be able to enjoy it more!
Having a little fun in some of the cute gift shops in Gatlinburg...
Emily in a deer hat...
Abby with a frog umbrella...
Abby with a scented candle...can you see what the scent is? It's "bear farts." (We decided that neither of us have actually ever smelled a true bear fart, but if they smelled like the candle, bear farts smell remarkably close to pumpkin spice.)
After doing some comparison shopping at several stores, Shelby and Abby took some of their spending money to purchase airbrushed shirts. They LOVE them!
One of the few things we got Abby to eat that day--a caramel apple!
This is a 10,518 pound ball of granite that floats on 1/254 inch of water in front of Ripley's Believe it or Not. (We never pay to go in, but the kids always have fun looking at and playing with the things out front.)
Day #3: Go-Karts and Dollywood (again)
The girls had been dying to ride some go-karts since they are EVERYWHERE in Pigeon Forge. We got an early-bird special so they could get two rides for the price of one. Shelby and Abby really enjoyed driving, but Emily decided the steep hills were not for her!
Emily
Abby
Shelby
More pretty decorations for Christmas...
Poor dad hadn't gotten enough hunting in yet for the season--he was looking anywhere for some deer! :)
Travis with some injured bald eagles in the eagle sanctuary.
While Shelby was on a roller coaster, Abby and Emily had some fun on the ropes course. It looked like fun--hope I'm brave enough to try when we go back in October!
A beautiful view from the Ferris wheel!
Day #4: Dixie Stampede
Being welcomed by a true "Southern belle"
The girls with one of the horse riders after the dinner and show.
The "comic relief" during the show (I think his name was "Cletus").
Even though it wasn't exactly like we had hoped it would be, we still were able to make the best of it! We had a fun time together and enjoyed our time away!
Can't wait to go back with the ENTIRE family in October to celebrate Dad's 65th birthday!!!
