We're BAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!

Hi guys! We're BBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK from our Gatlinburg weekend and oh, what a weekend it was. (This might be a long post, so relax, kick up your heels and get a Coke while you read along!)

Wednesday - I worked 8-4 p.m. so that we could leave right at 4 p.m. Got home, packed everything in car and off we headed to Lexington, Kentucky for the night. We made great time and got there around 8:30 p.m. ... after a nice supper at Olive Garden ... which didn't settle very well with my tummy, however. We stayed at a ... can't remember the name of it ... hotel ... but ... between Mike and Morgan both snoring, I didn't happen to get much sleep that night. UGH! Gone are the days of a single hotel room ... we need 2 rooms!!!!

Thursday - got up and went to Michaels because I had a "project" in my mind that I wanted to find something for ... and then headed to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. YAY! Got there in great time as well! BEAUTIFUL day ... short sleeve shirts and shorts weather, can you believe it?!

(The prediction had been for rainy/cool days the entire time we were there, but good ole Mother Nature was nice to us!)

Got there that afternoon and shopped at an outlet mall and then off to the cabin at 3 p.m. (check in time). GREAT VIEW!!!! I'll try to post some pics of the view from our top balcony (we had 2 balconies).

Our cabin was very nice, great view, etc. I have pics of the cabin - but doubt you want to see them. Anyway ... we went to the Alamo steakhouse for supper that evening in Pigeon Forge. Great restaurant! My tummy was still a bit upset, no clue why, but it was a great meal.

Friday - the guys took the kids go-karting (Sam and Morgan) and me and Mary and Baby Cate went to the Christmas shops and the scrapbook store (yes, there is a HUGE Scrapbook Warehouse there in Pigeon Forge) and some other stores and then we headed to the go-kart track to visit with the others for the afternoon. It was a truly beautiful day ...

That evening, we decided rather than brave the crowd driving into the city, we would have pizza instead. Great choice!!! We just relaxed around the cabin, playing the "pool championship of the world" and video games!!!

Saturday - We slept in a little bit ... if that's what you call it when you go back to sleep from a BABY waking you up 3 times in the night cause she was getting a "cold" or something and then finally going back to sleep at 6:30 a.m. and sleeping till 9 a.m. We took advantage of those QUIET hours ... and everyone fell back asleep too!

Anyway, we then headed to Gatlinburg (12 mile drive from Pigeon Forge, which took 50 minutes due to traffic) after a wonderful pancake breakfast fixed by Michael! :) We shopped most of the day and Mary and Sam and me and Morgan rode the sky lift up to the top of the mountain. Beautiful views from the top!l!!!

(Apparently I can't add anymore photos in this post! GRRRRR) Anyway ... we did lots of shopping and sky lift and got the kids an airbrushed t-shirt and then went to an early supper at The Peddler ... GREAT restaurant. BUT SO GLAD WE MADE RESERVATIONS!!! We got there at 4 p.m. and were seated right away. When Todd went out to get something from the car, he overheard the waitress tell someone that the wait was 1 hour, 45 minutes already (at 4:20 p.m.) OH MY!

Saturday night, we headed back to the cabin for more "championship pool games" and video/arcade games and fun relaxing in the hot tub/jacuzzi! YAY!

Sunday morning, got up a little earlier than expected ... you guessed it, thanks to Baby Cate ... and headed to Flapjacks Pancake House for breakfast and then headed home! We got out of the traffic at a fairly good time, but my sister said it took them 2 hours to get out of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area later that morning! UGH!

We had a fabulous time!!!!!