Gatlinburg Get-away 2009

We had a great get away in Gatlinburg this weekend. We traveled with Nanny and PaPaw (the Alexanders) as well as the newly engaged couple, Aunt Leesa and (soon to be Uncle) Aaron. We stayed in a beautiful cabin at Gatlinburg Falls and got to enjoy the first snow fall of the season! We couldn't have asked for more perfect mountain weather!

We hit the road at 8am on Friday morning headed to Gatlinburg and arrived at about 4pm. One must remember, we were traveling with 6 adults and 3 children - one of which is a newly potty "rained" 2 year old (that is what Luke says). Once we arrived we checked into our cabin "Endless Views" and then headed to downtown Gatlinburg for the 33rd annual Gatlinburg Christmas parade. The kids loved seeing all the floats and bands and Jill really loved seeing the majorettes twirlling fire. It was really COLD but we were so packed onto the sidewalks that it wasn't too bad. Seeing Santa at the end of the parade was a great beginning to the Christmas season.

Jill and Dad enjoying the parade.

Luke taking in the parade, "Mommy, it's COLD!" He said with lips shivering.

Leesa and Aaron at the parade. Looks like the big day will be July 17th - a summer wedding and we cannot wait!
Eli, Jill, & Luke standing on the deck of our cabin.

Playing in the snow. Burr it was cold!

Making a snowball. Wonder who got hit by this one...

Eli enjoying the snow.

Christmas card picture attempts...

Inside the registration lodge at Gatlinburg Falls - the place we stayed. They had it decorated beautifully. Our cabin was also GREAT!!!

Another Christmas card attempt...

Posing with Mom before heading back inside to watch Alabama beat Florida and win the SEC Championship. One step closer to Alabama's 13th National Championship!!!

While driving through Cades Cove we saw no less than 60 deer. This was one of the big bucks we saw. He just stood there and let us make his picture. He knew he was on protected property! Luke said this was Rudolph.

Another deer standing beside the road. We were close enough we could have reached out and touched her.

Eli ice skating. He has been ice skating twice and he skated like a little pro! This was taken at Ober Gatlinburg.

Jill's second time ice skating and she did pretty well.

Mom's arm was exhausted after four times around with Jill but she did a great job. We had such a wonderful trip. It was a great kick-off to winter and the Christmas season.