Gatlinburg Thanksgiving

We headed to Gatlinburg for Thanksgiving this year. We went two years ago and had so much fun so we were all excited to go again. In true Bertram fashion, we were at Urgent Care the night before we left to have Paige's cough checked on. Two years ago, both Ella and Paige were on antibiotics, and we made it there by the skin of our teeth since they were both getting over illnesses. Paige had a pretty bad cough but overall was feeling ok so we were good to go!

On our way!!  

After a long day of travel, we were so happy to make it there and get settled. We ordered pizza and Paige and I got in the hot tub. 

It was so fun to have our Thanksgiving meal at the cabin. My mom made all of the food including dumplings and dressing. Instead of turkey we opted for fried chicken. Who says you have to have turkey on Thanksgiving?! We relaxed and watched the Macy's Day Parade all morning. After lunch Autumn played some Christmas tunes on her violin. 

We headed downtown to do a little shopping and enjoy the nice day. There were a ton of people who had the same idea so we quickly shopped and headed back. 

I love all of the statue snowmen they have on the strip. They are great for pictures!

On Friday, we had plans to go to Dollywood. Adam and Ella opted out so Penny and Autumn went with us. I was so excited to see the Christmas lights. 

I had never been to Dollywood. It is a really pretty theme park that I would like to go back to someday when it isn't as crowded. 

The decorations were so pretty. It was the coldest day out all the days we were there, but Paige is a trooper. 

Although there were a lot of people and long lines, we did get to ride quite a few of the kid rides which Paige enjoyed. We also played a few games and won a few stuffed animals. Paige wanted to win a stuffed animal that was as big as her, but I did my best to talk her out of that. There is no way I wanted to carry around an enormous stuffed animal. 

Once it started to get dark the lights came on and it was so pretty. I would like to go back sometime and just go at night to strictly see the lights. 

We didn't get to ride the Dollywood Express train, but that would be on the list of things to do next time. The line was INSANE. 

We had so much fun looking at lights. It was seriously a Christmas wonderland. If you like Christmas lights Dollywood is the place to go. We didn't even get to see them all, because my feet were frozen. We enjoyed what we did get to see though and enjoyed our time at Dollywood. I hope to go back someday and see it again. 

On our last day we rented an ATV and Adam, Ella, and I went on a ride through Smoky Mountain National Park. This is one of my favorite things to do in Gatlinburg. 

We made our way up Newfound Gap Road and stopped at different locations along the way. The stream never gets old, and we had to make a few stops to enjoy it. 

It was a beautiful day!

Ella had fun and appreciates these types of activities. She was definitely in her element. 

We drove all the way up to Clingman's Dome and enjoyed the view. I had not been up there since I was a kid. It is well worth the drive. 

I get a thrill out of gorgeous views, and this one did not disappoint. 

Before we knew it, our trip was over. I am always sad to leave these trips we all take together, but that's a sign of a great trip. We have done quite a few trips together now, and we always have fun. We typically don't do much either, but we have fun just sitting around eating and talking. I'm thankful for the fun and can't wait until our next trip! 

Happy Halloween

 Finally the last fall event rolled around which is Halloween. Although I enjoy fall, I love the holiday season even more. I feel like November 1st is the gateway to Christmas so I'm always ready to see Halloween come and go. 

Paige started planning her costume months in advance. Once Halloween is over she starts planning her costume for the following year. She knew months in advance that she wanted to be Glenda the good witch. This girl knows what she wants. 

I am obsessed with the show "Yellowstone" but specifically Rip and Beth. Adam and I dressed up as them this year. I think Adam made a pretty good Rip. 

Our neighborhood had the very first Halloween parade before trick or treating which was so cute to watch. I decked our golf cart out in Halloween decor. 

Ready to go!

We watched the parade which Paige, Rylee, Adam, and his mom were in the parade. It was really cute!

Paige is thrilled to have a cousin younger than her to trick or treat with. She loves spending time with Rylee. 

After the parade, it was time to trick or treat!

Paige is an old pro at trick or treating, and she was happy to show Rylee the ropes. Rylee got the hang of things pretty quickly. 

I love how little kids knock and then look in the window to see if anyone is coming. 

On a mission to get CANDY!

Since Halloween was on a Sunday this year we were able to start early and end early but not without a shortage of candy. Paige's sack was FULL. She loves going back home and going through her candy to see all of the goodies We loaded up on chili, hot dogs, and candy of course and called it a night!

Thumbs up to a great Halloween!!

October happenings

October is usually a fun month full of fall activities. We really made the most of it this year since we were not able to do any fall activities last year. From camping, to the pumpkin patch, a bonfire, and halloween....we did it ALL! 

I started volunteering for lunch duty this school year. I did it years ago when Ella was in K-2. It's fun to see the kids at school and get to know some of them. Paige is usually happy to see me, and I enjoy seeing her too. 

 Brody went out to get some fresh air, and it put him right to sleep. He isn't able to get out and about anymore since he can't see so when the weather was nice, he enjoyed sitting in my lap outside. 

We only had a four day fall break this school year so we did not get to go on a big trip like we usually do. I had the brilliant idea to go "camping" (cabin) at a camp ground and enjoy the trick or treating. We quickly found out we are not the camping type. There were WAY too many people and everyone was packed in that campground like sardines. Ella was ready to go as soon as we got there. Lol! I'm positive we will not be doing this again. 

We all dressed up for the trick or treating that night. Poor Adam looks like the saddest scarecrow I have ever seen. I laughed until I couldn't breath over his costume. He's a good sport. 

Ella was "big foot", Paige was Glenda the Good Witch, and I went as Dorothy. 

Ready to go trick or treating!

I could not stop laughing at Adam in this costume. 

We did enjoy seeing the decorations at the campsites. Some of these people went all out. 

We hit up every campsite that night. Paige got loads of candy. Needless to say, we packed up as soon as we could the next morning and headed home. That concluded the first and only Bertram "camping" trip. 

Paige was going stir crazy on her last day of fall break so we made a spontaneous trip to Mayse Farm Market. 

She went on slide after slide while I sipped on an apple cider slushy. It was warm, but she had a great time. 

We have been coming to this pumpkin patch for years. It wouldn't be fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch. 

She had so much fun on the inflatables. She went down this slide too many times to count. 

The obligatory wagon ride to get a pumpkin! 

Enjoying a popsicle on the wagon ride.  

Poppy had a bonfire one Friday night. We roasted hot dogs and made smores. Paige loved spending time with Rylee. Those two had so much fun running around. 

Two peas in a pod! 

Once it got dark we took a "wagon ride" which was a wagon pulled by Lacey's car. Lol!

It was so fun riding through Winslow! I think a few people got a good laugh at us. 

Kindergarten celebrated their 50th day of school with a 50's theme day complete with a sock hop. Paige was so excited. She appreciates a good theme day at school.