Fall Break

Recently the kids were out of school for a week on their fall break.  It felt a lot like summer still but we decided to take a fall trip to the mountains and Pigeon Forge to try to get all the fall feels going.  Our kids had been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg over the summer with Sug and Pop and they had told us how much they loved it and wanted to go back.  They also had never been to Dollywood so we wanted to check out all the pretty fall decorations there and get a little roller coaster fix while we were at it.  (at least Mama did!) 

We left on a Sunday afternoon and made a quick stop in Cherokee so the kids could see the Indians again.  Bryce has been dancing since his last  trip and also tomahawk chopping from the Braves game so between the two he is beyond fascinated.

On our way we started spotting all of the 4's we saw.  Bryce was turning 4 while we were gone.

We got some excitement on our drive as well.  We saw a bear on the side of the road and got to stop and watch it and get a good picture!  Bryce was more excited watching the park ranger shoot a flare at the bear and tell it to leave.

At our hotel Bryce was so excited to see the geese, or gooses as he calls them.  He would chase them and run.  Luckily they didn't decide to run back at him.

Another 4!

That night we went to Mellow Mushroom which was right across the road from our hotel.  We also did the mirror maze next door.  That was pretty crazy and I was happy to be out of that thing!  I think we were seeing double the rest of the night!

The next morning we finished up our fun at the same place we did the mirror maze.  We played putt-putt, did a laser room and then finished with MagiQuest.

I think he could stay all day with the geese

 After lunch we decided to rest a little then spend the evening at Dollywood.  We knew we wanted to see all the decorations at night.  Everything was definitely lit up and so pretty.

Kelly and the kids road this water ride which is like Thunder River and this was Kate's favorite!  Bryce I think had moments of liking it and then hating it.  At the point I saw them he was hating it and I couldn't help but laugh.

The pumpkin lights were so cute!!!

The pumpkins behind Kate fit her perfect...grasshoppers and bugs

Frog pumpkins...more just for Kate

My last night with my 3 year old boy!

In the morning we woke up and it was Bryce's 4th birthday!  We had put balloons around his bed on the floor and he kept saying the birthday fairy had come.  A few months ago he kept telling me he wanted a whipped cream cupcake on his birthday.  Well sure enough our hotel had whipped cream for pancakes and I was able to make him a whipped cream cake...and yes he ate it for breakfast.  

We went back to Dollywood for more fun.  This time we were there most of the day and we rode rides.  Even Bryce enjoyed some kiddy rides, and maybe a bigger ride or two.  His face was priceless on this little roller coaster. 

While Kelly and the girls rode the bumper cars, Bryce and I watched, played football with the ball Kelly had won him, and took some selfies. 

This one chased down Kate and Daddy and kept bumping them

We had to go back and ride the old cars too.  This time I had another cute driver!

After we couldn't walk anymore we went to eat and headed back to the room.  The kids enjoyed the hot tub and pool.  And every night they would get popcorn from the lobby.  What more could you ask for, right?!

That night when we left Dollywood we were sitting with the sweetest couple on the tram.  When Bryce told them it was his birthday they gave him $5.  They had a grandson named Bryce too but he was 19 now.  They were so sweet and it was so nice of them to make our Bryce's day with his $5.

On Wednesday we left Pigeon Forge and had an adventurous ride over to Hendersonville to our favorite apple orchard.  Kelly led me on the curviest road I've ever been on because we apparently missed a turn.  Thankfully we survived and I didn't kill the Hubs.  It was a rainy gross day but we still enjoyed some apple cider donuts and a few apple cider slushies.  Maybe, just maybe, we can get back on a pretty day and get more and get our favorite apples.
It was a fun fun break and I loved spending it and making memories with my people!

4 1/2 Ft

4 ft!

and just over 3 feet!