The kids were off of school a few days for spring break, so we planned a little get away in order to take advantage of our family "World Access Pass" given to us as we left Give Kids the World in the fall. We had some free amusement activities to take in in Gatlinburg! Here is Drew at our hotel the first night. He loves to play with water fountains. These pools were outside. The water was warm, but not warm enough for Drew. This is the hotel on our first night, actually in Pigeon Forge.
Jenna giving a very enthusiastic thumbs up for these outdoor pools.
Dave keeping an eye on his girls in the pools.
Thursday brought April 2nd and Jenna's 6th Birthday! Here are her and Meredith in the morning on the hotel rocking chairs. We are on our way to an entire day of birthday fun.
Our first stop. Ober Gatlinburg. One of these trams takes us up to the top of the mountain to their amusement park. We are ready to go!
Here is Jenna up high in the sky!
Drew and I are watching as Dave and girls take an even further chair lift ride up the mountain so that they can come down the mountain on the sled run. See it all out there?
After that excitement the girls asked to go ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg, so off to ice skate in our shorts.
Here we are back down off the mountain ready to start exploring all the downtown Gatlingburg "smaltz" as Dave and I call it. We shopped, had ice cream and Dave and girls visited yet another haunted mansion. We even used our pass for a 5D movie experience.
(Don't know how I got out of order), but these otters are part of the small animal exhibit at Ober Gatlinburg. These river otters were very excited to see us!
Here's the birthday girl and her birthday cake at dinner.
And... back to the hotel pools. Drew got in this time!
Friday morning we explored Smoky Mountain National Park. Here we are at Clingman's Dome - very windy, and some 27 degrees colder than at the bottom of the mountain.
Here we are trying to stand still!
Beautiful Amelia with the beautiful scenery.
Here's Drew at the Sugarland Visitors Center. He got kicked out of the movie about the park, so we happily waited outside and enjoyed the warmth.
(and out of order)... back on top of Clingman's Dome - climbing rocks!!
Ahhhh.. finally Friday afternoon... THE WATER PARK!!! This is the outdoor version of the waterpark hotel. Our room wasn't quite ready, but that was fine for the girls. They loved the gigantic bucket dumping water all over them.
Water slides, water slides..water slides... Our room overlooked this scene.
Here's the indoor water park. Each of our girls took a turn on this surfing thing.
Amelia's turn.
Water slides, water slides, happy girls, happy girls... happy dad.
My favorite photo of the trip.. This just may be the happiest you will see Amelia. Pure joy.
oh, speaking of happiness.. Ava - Olive Garden salad.. We've seen this before.... This is our second trip to the Olive Garden in Kingsport, TN. We are getting to know this town.
Drew's happiness.. Olive Garden Lasagna.
One more pool...Happy girls in Kingsport, TN.
Woke up this morning to a full box of Krispy Kreme donuts. This is how we roll.
Back at home, Drew found what the Easter bunny had left for us first. Happy Easter everyone!
Remember that big lollipop from Chocolate Monkey? Finally today I let her enjoy it!!! We are happy to be back home!
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