Pigeon Forge

Last week, we were able to join Neal's Aunt, Uncle and cousins on their vacation in Pigeon Forge. We went to Dollywood the first day we were there and had a blast! It's a great theme park with a great little "country fair" area for the wimps who don't like to ride the big roller coasters, or, for those of us with kids who can't ride the big roller coasters. I was so proud of the boys and Kate (5, Rachel's daughter) for going on most of the rides and having fun. Rachel and I didn't enjoy the Ferris Wheel as much as Sam and Kate, I'm sure we said "be still" a million times on the short ride. The next day we went to Dollywood's Splash Country and had just as much fun. The kids were all about the water slides and us "adults" had fun too! The cabin they had rented for the week was beautiful, complete with a first and second floor back porch with rocking chairs and an amazing view. We spent a lot of time out there. Aunt Helene and Luke had a little nap, Rachel and I spent about 4 hours out there one night chatting and letting everyone else deal with the kids, Uncle Jimmy and Gabe chilled out together one morning. It was fun and relaxing all in one. Thanks so much for inviting us down for a few days, we always enjoy the time we get to spend with each of you. Sam and Gabe keep asking when we are going back to the cabin in the woods.

The morning we left, we drove through The Smoky Mountain National Park and stopped to play in the river for an hour or two. Then we found a great little country restaurant for lunch, complete with homemade Apple Pie and vanilla ice cream...yum.