Fall Break- Gatlinburg 2018 - Part 1

We just returned home from a great trip to Gatlinburg, Tn. We had not been there in four years before Paige was even thought of and Ella was just starting kindergarten. It's crazy how life has changed since then. 

This trip was a welcome break. This past quarter of school has been busy and stressful for both Ella and me. I feel like all we do is homework or study so it was nice to have a week of fun with nothing school related to think about. 

We left on Sunday and got there around 2:00. I was worried about the drive, because Paige is in underwear now. That's a long day of travel so I wasn't sure how she would do. She stayed dry the entire trip and only had one accident while we were there. Once we got there we checked out our cabin and ordered pizza. 

We have stayed at a cabin in Gatlinburg Falls Resort the past two times we have been to Gatlinburg and loved it both times. It's nice, in a great location, but yet far enough away from the craziness of downtown Gatlinburg. You can't beat the views either!

There was quite a bit of bickering and crying when we got there over these games. All Ella wanted to do was play, but Paige wanted to do anything Ella was doing. This got better as the week went on thankfully. Siblings!! 

Our cabin was called "Enchanted View". The view from our deck was SO pretty. 

After dinner, we met up with my family downtown. Our trips overlapped only for a day so we were able to meet up for some ice cream, shopping, and walking downtown. Besides some humidity, it was a great night! 

Hooray for fall break!

Paige was so surprised to see her BFF's in Gatlinburg. She had no idea!

 Paige is always my bed buddy on trips. She sleeps like a champ no matter where we go as long as she is with me. Luckily at home, she is more than happy to sleep in her bed, but on trips, she enjoys sleeping with me. I'm ok with that since I get to sleep good too. :) 

We were up bright and early the next day with plans to go to the Titanic Museum and Goats on a Roof. 

I miss this view!

First up, on our list of things to do (Ella's pick) was the Titanic Museum. Although it was interesting it was not for three-year-olds. It's basically a self-guided tour, but it's definitely geared toward older children and adults. I would like to go back when I can actually listen and learn about the Titanic. 

Ella thought it was really neat and enjoyed it. 

After lunch at "The Local Goat" in Pigeon Forge we went to "Goats on a Roof." I had been wanting to go there since our last trip. They seriously have grass on the roof and goats. There is also a gift shop and mountain coaster. It's old, quirky, and just as good as I thought it would be. 

Ella and I had fun feeding the goats. Paige wanted nothing to do with them. 

Ella pedaled the bicycle and pushed a can of food up to the goats. 

Adam and Ella rode the mountain coaster twice. Paige wanted to go but chickened out which was probably for the best. 

Ella's hair was flying! They were going so fast.

Ella's purchase from the gift shop. 

After a little rest at our cabin, we headed out again to downtown. Ella wanted to go to Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum so they did that, and Paige and I rode the chairlift. I feel like the chairlift is a must do in Gatlinburg. I remember doing this as a young child with my parents so we had to keep the tradition alive. 

Paige was a little unsure, but I kept her distracted. After it was over she said it was fun but wouldn't go again the following day. 

The views from the top are so pretty.

Afterward, Paige requested ice cream so we sat outside with our ice cream and waited on Adam and Ella so we could go eat dinner. 

Paige is seriously always this happy. Adam always says "live like Paigey." We should all take notes from her. She loves life!

That wraps the first couple days of our trip. Stay tuned for days 3 and 4! 

Pumpkin Patch- Lark Ranch- 2018

We visited Lark Rach a couple of weeks ago for our annual pumpkin patch trip. Ella wanted to go somewhere new this year, and I had heard good things about Lark Ranch. 

It's a little over an hour from where we live but well worth the drive. They had anything and everything you could ever want from a pumpkin patch and more. 

This was the first day it actually felt like fall outside. It was a great day to be out enjoying the weather all day long. The first thing we did was the jumping pillow. Both girls loved doing this as well as Adam. 

Paige had to be right in the middle of the action. She is usually pretty cautious but the bigger kids didn't seem to bother her. 

We hit up the animal area next. I had seen on facebook that they had baby pigs. They were SO cute but sleeping while we were there. I would have loved to have gotten my hands on one. 

This girl is getting way too big. It won't be long before she thinks she is too big to even go to a pumpkin patch. 

Lark Ranch has a mile long little train ride that Paige loved. 

They had great picture spots set up. 

They also had these giant rocking chairs that were great for pictures as well. 

By the time we were finished with everything, we were too tired to do that wagon ride back to the actual pumpkin patch so we just picked out a few upfront. 

It was a great day visiting Lark Ranch! We will definitely be back next year.