What a great trip visiting family in Gatlinburg celebrating Gigi’s 90th birthday and Thanksgiving. On the way home the girls told us they were not ready to leave because they were having so much fun. Love making the memories with family and seeing our girls enjoy time with family they do not get to see as often as we would like too.

Sunday, we drove up and arrived while a big group was at a bar they always watch Sunday afternoon football at, go Jets. Lisa took the girls for a walk while they were watching to let them get some of their stored up energy from the car up. After Ricky and Chris went to get tickets for tubing we went to check  into our hotel. Chris got a great hotel for the night. We did not spend that much time in it though since we went up to the chalets for dinner to spend sweet time with family until bed time.

Monday, we woke up and went to a yummy breakfast with a cinnamon roll the size of Leia’s head. After breakfast we went to the Christmas Shoppe for the girls to pick out their Christmas ornament this year. They loved seeing the hundreds of ornaments but eventually settled on one or two before we headed to the indoor water park to meet their cousins. The indoor water park was a lot colder than we expected so we did not stay as long as planned but not long after a nice lunch we were able to get into our chalet and unpack the car (it was loaded down with very little extra space). Leia and Lisa went to the store to grab cold stuff for the week so we could focus on fun the rest of the week. Deedee made a dinner for us all that night complete with Leia’s favorite dessert, Deedee’s carrot cake. Gigi, aunt Teri, and uncle Winnie all came to join us as well. Great start to our trip.

Tuesday, most the cousins went to the ‘carnival’ to ride go-carts. Leia did a great job driving it with her cousins but Ivy refused to get on to drive them so she hung out with mommy and watched. We thought we could get Ivy and Leia both to ride on the big track with mommy and daddy but again Ivy refused so Chris took Leia with all the cousins while we watched. The next track mommy and daddy traded so Lisa rode with Leia; Kellan needed an adult so Chris rode with him. Mommy and Leia beat daddy ;). Since Ivy had been so sweet watching sissy play mommy took her and Alicia to get tickets to ride a few of the 5 and under rides. They had so much fun riding them, thankful aunt Kelly was up to riding the teacups so Lisa did not have to go around and around. Before we headed back to the chalet, grandpa got us a bucket to go mine for gems. It was a hit! The kids loved getting rocks, gems, and buffalo teeth. That afternoon we invited all the cousins over for Tuesday Treats at our chalet. The girls and Kellan had a great time enjoying treats, making masks, turkeys, and Christmas ornaments while the momma’s enjoyed a glass of wine and got to visit. That evening the whole family went to Terri and Winnie’s chalet for dinner. Lisa and Deedee ended up leaving a little early to take the girls back to our chalet since our sweet girls were exhausted from the activities though out the day.

Go-cart fun with the cousins

Little sisters having fun

Mining for gems

Tuesday treats and crafts

Ivy finally got to meet uncle Johnny at the family dinner at Terri’s

Wednesday, everyone went to the top of the mountain to go tubing and ice skating. Ivy made it down the hill once with daddy then tried going with mommy before she refused to go again. Leia did it the full hour and half taking turns who she sled down with each time. Both girls refused to ice skate so they rode the carousal. Ivy liked getting uncle Johnny to ride with her. Thank you Johnny for riding with the girls multiple times. We headed back down the mountain for lunch and the kids warmed up in the hot tub. Later that evening was Gigi’s 90th birthday  celebration. Leia had looked forward to celebrating and giving her a card she’d made all week. We were so proud that she kept it a secret all week and did not tell Gigi there was a party in her honor. It was wonderful celebrating such a incredible woman’s birthday with family and friends.

Wednesday fun at the top of the mountain

Carousal fun. The girls rode it at least 10 times. They love carousals

The kids warmed up in the hot tub that afternoon

Gigi’s surprise party to celebrate her 90th birthday. So glad we got to celebrate an amazing woman

Thanksgiving day arrived and we started it out with turkey cinnamon rolls. Leia was so excited when she saw them; Ivy was not impressed. It was so fun seeing Leia’s excitement over them though, maybe Ivy will get there when she’s a little older. After breakfast we went for a family hike with grandpa, Ricky, Dawn, Isla, Kellan, uncle David, uncle Johnny, Bill, John, and Rod. We started off dragging Leia while Ivy was pumped to go. Midway into the hike Leia was asking if we could  go hiking at home too; she surprised us at how much she ended up loving to hike. It was fun hiking along the river, talking to the kids, listening and watching the water flow, spotting deer and horse shoe prints, and exploring the remnants of a old house. Midday we joined family at the park for a picnic, games, and fishing. That afternoon we went back to get ready for Thanksgiving dinner and packed up since we drove back after dinner. It was a great trip visiting family and celebrating Thanksgiving in Gatlinburg with everyone.

Our turkey cinnamon rolls

Sweet Leia singing in the car before the hike since it was a little cooler than expected and we were waiting on others to arrive

What a fun hike with the family, love this tradition

Fun a the park and fishing

Thanksgiving night