In years past, the Sanders' crew would gather together for a weekend day of shopping fun at Opry Mills. We always start at Bass Pro and we wonder around the crowds... pace the food court to find a table to eat lunch... gather the bags for Poppy to deposit in the car... but not this year. Due to the May flood and the limbo of what is to come of Opry Mills, this little tradition was not in the cards this year. So, Kyle thought this would be a great time for us to head east for a family weekend vacation. We stayed at a fabulous cabin that one of his friend's owns and had a great time.
NeNe and Poppy were the grandparents of the year when they offered to travel with Addie and Drew. Kyle and I were not going to be able to leave until after school so that would have meant night time travel. That is not a great time these days with little Drew boy. He is a great daytime traveler but once the sun sets... it is a whole new world. Nene and Poppy picked up the kids after a yummy breakfast at Cracker Barrel and were off to the "cavin" as Addie calls it. And I cannot forget to mention that Kyle gave Addie her Halloween CD to listen to on the ride up there.... 5 hours later...Nene and Poppy now know all of the words to Ghostbusters and Purple People Eater:)
As for Kyle and I, we enjoyed some kid-less travel with Clint and Kristen
with dinner to top it off.
Friday was filled with a great pancake breakfast where Addie gave us the soundbite of the trip. She was so excited about breakfast with " all of her family" that she just could not contain herself. We were eating a little later than normal so she kept asking "Where's my pancakes?" over, over, and over. Finally Kyle told her, "Drink some of the good mountain water!" Knowing Addie's eating habits and her ability to find something wrong with anything, I cut my eyes at Kyle to say "watch what you say" Addie took one sip of the water and said, "Too mountainy." Needless to say everyone just laughed.
After all the pancakes, eggs, and sausage were consumed and bellies were full we were off to shop... for about 9 hours.
As for Saturday, 3 of the Sanders crew had other plans, that did not include shopping. Clint, Kyle, and I decided to go hiking in the Park. We hiked to Ramsey's Cascades. This is an 8 mile round trip hike to the highest waterfall in the Smokies.
It is a beautiful hike but it is a killer of a hike. The rocks and the roots were terrible but the end is well worth the painful trek up.
NeNe and Poppy were the grandparents of the year when they offered to travel with Addie and Drew. Kyle and I were not going to be able to leave until after school so that would have meant night time travel. That is not a great time these days with little Drew boy. He is a great daytime traveler but once the sun sets... it is a whole new world. Nene and Poppy picked up the kids after a yummy breakfast at Cracker Barrel and were off to the "cavin" as Addie calls it. And I cannot forget to mention that Kyle gave Addie her Halloween CD to listen to on the ride up there.... 5 hours later...Nene and Poppy now know all of the words to Ghostbusters and Purple People Eater:)
As for Kyle and I, we enjoyed some kid-less travel with Clint and Kristen
with dinner to top it off.
Friday was filled with a great pancake breakfast where Addie gave us the soundbite of the trip. She was so excited about breakfast with " all of her family" that she just could not contain herself. We were eating a little later than normal so she kept asking "Where's my pancakes?" over, over, and over. Finally Kyle told her, "Drink some of the good mountain water!" Knowing Addie's eating habits and her ability to find something wrong with anything, I cut my eyes at Kyle to say "watch what you say" Addie took one sip of the water and said, "Too mountainy." Needless to say everyone just laughed.
After all the pancakes, eggs, and sausage were consumed and bellies were full we were off to shop... for about 9 hours.
As for Saturday, 3 of the Sanders crew had other plans, that did not include shopping. Clint, Kyle, and I decided to go hiking in the Park. We hiked to Ramsey's Cascades. This is an 8 mile round trip hike to the highest waterfall in the Smokies.
It is a beautiful hike but it is a killer of a hike. The rocks and the roots were terrible but the end is well worth the painful trek up.
Clint capturing the moment for kyle and me.
The daredevil boys.
Can you tell they are brothers?
After three hours of hiking... God's beauty for us to behold.
Kyle taking a breather.
This sign helped Clint realize that he did not need to climb up the waterfall.
I told you it was rocky and rooty.
These are cool bridges that are on the trail.
After we recovered from the hike, we went to the Christmas Shops and had some fun. Addie picked out ornaments for everyone. She picked a camera for me... does she know her mommy... and a camper for Nene and Poppy... and a Dora and a hot pink converse for her.
As we were leaving we had some fun with Santa.
This might be the best picture we get this year.
Still not a fan of the guy in the red suit.
I am trying all my tricks...
Our first Christmas pic of the season.
The kids with Nene and Poppy.
Trying to get Addie and Drew to look... always a task for the camera operator.
On the way home..
I think Poppy is ready for this "vacation"
to be over so he can get some rest.
Hopefully this is a new tradition of togetherness for us.
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