Thanksgiving in the Smokies

Thanksgiving week found us in Sevierville, Tennessee enjoying the Smokey Mountains. Friends of my parents for nearly 4 decades gifted us one of their cabins. What a beautiful backdrop for us to spend with my parents and my sister and her family. It was double the fun when our friends stopped by to reconnect. It was so good to see them again and visit with their daughters (my first babysitters!) Many memories were made this week........

You can't go to the Smokies without hiking! We chose the 1.4 mile "easy" route to Grotto Falls with the reward of a beautiful waterfall we could walk behind. I question the posted distance and the guide books description of "easy." It was a wonderful adventure, though and the reward was sweet!

Merritt quickly got the hang of hiking and was determined to be the leader! We had to cross several streams along the way. She became the expert and needed no help. When Poppy stepped ahead of her to help her across the stream, she held out her arm to stop him and said, "You're getting in front of the leader." Getting him back in line and preparing to cross the stream she said to Poppy, "Watch and Learn!" She even resorted to a walking stick to keep us in our places!

Sisters taking a little break! Sweet victory with Daddy!

Who can stay in a cabin in the woods and not roast marshmallows? Not us! By the end of the night these experts were renamed "S'Morgan" and "S'Merritt." Jacob was pretty into the marshmallows too! He knows a good treat when he sees one!

GranMe likes her marshmallows Cajun-style ~ blackened!

Lots of grandparent time was enjoyed!

A trip to the ice cream shop ~ Poppy didn't order any ice cream but he sure does take his job as "Clean-Up Man" seriously! Do I see three cones, Poppy?

Our day trip into Gatlinburg to the famous "Pancake Pantry" was lots of fun! We even got an early visit with Santa! Hopefully this gave him extra time to fill our orders!

Feeding the fish!

Our week also included: relaxing by the fire, playing cards, eating Thanksgiving dinner, a little shopping, several walks, college football, lots of playtime with cousins, Aunt and Uncle excursions, beauty shop appointments by Merritt and many more memories!

Our visit to the Smokies was a swingin' good time!