Last Minute Vacay

After wrapping up his nine-day "work trip" at the Opryland, Nick surprised me with a week of leave!  It was glorious to not only have his company, but also an extra pair of hands and eyes to help out with the kiddos!  If only we could be a stay-at-home-family permanently!  Somehow I doubt Nick would want that after a few of the tantrums he got to deal with...:-P

We went to Chuck-E-Cheese's for lunch on Monday.  Now each time Emmy finds a coin she says "Chuchee Cheeses!"  I would say our lunch-time outing made a major impression on her.

On a mission to earn my girl some tickets.

She didn't need my tickets, though, she earned more than Nick and I combined.

Nick took winning tickets to a whole new level. :-P

We decided at the beginning of the week to arrange a last minute getaway to Gatlinburg for Thursday through Saturday!

We had to make several stops on our way so that a ravenous Hannah Horn could grab lunch (and a couple of snacks).  We made one pit-stop at an "amusement park" just outside of Cookeville called "Hidden Hollow."  Let's just say that, in it's hay day, this park was probably a big deal, but we realized we were the only patrons there just after we paid the entrance fee.  During Hannah's feeding, Nick and Emmy sailed on the least broken paddle boat and they blew up the bounce house for our very enthusiastic 2 year old.  We were glad to support the owners and even happier that Emmy could get her wiggles out!

We stayed in a two-bedroom condominium that was a mere 5 minute walk to downtown Gatlinburg.  It was PERFECT!  We brought two pack-n-plays and put the girls down, one in each room.  When Nick and I were ready to throw the towel in, we moved Hannah out of our room into the dark living room and everyone slept peacefully throughout the night!  After our Opryland fiasco, I was more than a little nervous as to how it was going to play out.

Friday, we kicked off the day at the aquarium...

We found a little boutique that specializes in personalizing children's CDs and DVDs.  Emmy's souvenir is a full-length Dora episode in which Emmy is one of the characters...We needed to submit a photo of her in order to have the DVD created. It is AWESOME! (http://www.mylollipopguild.com/PersonalizedVideos.html)

After naptime on Friday, we went to Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort in the winter and an amusement park in the spring and summer months.  Nick and Emmy rode the lift partway up the mountain to slide down on a tobboggen!

 There they are!!

Emmy loved all the carny-rides...

During another one of Hannah's car-side meals, Nick and Emmy rode some go-karts.  She LOVED it!!   Who says Nick needs a son?  He's got a fearless 2 year old daughter to keep up with him!

When Nick asked if Emmy could ride the swings even though she was just shy of the age minimum, the ride operator asked if she was a "brave two."  Yes she is.

The backseat, full of my loves.

"Cheers!" We made our first attempt at a sit-down dinner in a LONG time on Friday night.  Nick gave Emmy a C for her efforts.  I was just grateful to be on Hannah duty and that we opted for Mexican food, because it's always quick!

Emmy's peppered quesadilla.

Milk in one hand, Elmo DVD in the other.

We had an awesome whirlpool tub in our room and had a blast playing in it during bathtime!

Nick's quick trigger finger captured this moment before the water from Emmy's bucket hit Hannah's face. :-/

We started Saturday off with a hike up Laurel Falls!

Nick took this picture.  I stayed as far away as I could without falling off the mountain.

We made it!!

My brave hubs, posing for a picture near a waterfall with our wiggly two-year old.

Gorgeous view of the Smokeys.

First family vacation: SUCCESS!!!!