:: Winter Vacation : Days Eight & Nine | Rest & Home ::

Friday was our last full day at the cabin and we decided to just stay in and relax all day.
We slept in, Aaron made breakfast, we hung out and watched tv, played pool with the kids, had ice cream before 10am, and simply enjoyed being together.

That night Aaron was making back strap on the grill and it started to storm. The power ended up going out so we had super by the light of a flashlight & a gatorade bottle. We played cards and laughed about how we actually enjoy roughing it.

We had packed everything that we could so we could head out early in the morning. We had originally planned on not getting home until the 8th, but the kids were ready to be in their own beds. So, the next morning we were up and on the road by 7am.
It was a long trek home and Aaron drove the whole way. He's such a trooper!

We laughed at how many times I'd say oh, look at that and be taking photos out of the windshield. So, here's a few highlights. LOL!

Over all, it was an amazing experience. This was the biggest trip we've ever been on. I'd do it all again in a heart beat. Even during the moments the kids were fighting in the back seat. ;)

:: Winter Vacation : Day Seven | Knife Forging ::

Chase had a friend tell him about a place down in Pigeon Forge where you could make your own knife. This, the kids were excited for! Ella was a bit nervous about doing it at first, but ended up loving it.

The entire area ended up being really neat. We checked out the distillery and pottery shop. I could have spent ours in there!

We headed back to the cabin for a little bit of knife throwing (not the ones they had just made) and oh so totally safe. Those were bought by my sneaky husband when I wasn't looking.

And I made him take a picture with me because we both had our new boots on.

Inside to get supper started. Ella had fun helping daddy make fried chicken in the new cast iron.

^^^ (Paybacks baby!) LOL! ^^^

The chicken paired nicely with pepsi and moonshine. ;)

And the kids finished their day with ice cream by the fire place.

Are we seeing a theme here? I need a fireplace!

:: Winter Vacation : Day Six | New Found Gap ::

This is how we started every day at the cabin. Coffee by the fire. Oh, how I miss that fireplace.

We (nor the kids) were too excited about doing anything "touristy". In fact, we drove to Dollywood to see what it looked like and as soon as they saw all of the cars in the parking lot they said "no thank you". Lol! That, they get from their father.
So, we googled where we could go for free and see a great view of the mountains.
The New Found Gap came up and it was by far my favorite view of the whole trip!

And if you want to gross out your eight year old, kiss in front of the camera. 

She was appalled. Lol!

This photo below of Aaron, is my favorite. He will probably tell me I'm dumb, but I love it. It shows the grey in his beard; (which by the way he says I put there). I love that he's getting a little grey and look forward to spending our days together when it's completely white too. 

Okay, okay, enough of the mushy stuff.
We made it to the Look out! It was spectacular. If you looked one way, you could see Tennessee and North Carolina the other.
And yes, I handed off my camera to someone again, but this time to some one who had a good camera himself. I felt much better this time.

After making our way back down the mountain, we went into Pigeon Forge for some shopping (boots and whiskey of course).

 The day ended the same way it began; by the fire.