Over the River and Through the Woods...

....to Gatlinburg we went! A kind family in our church generously gave us a week at their time share in Gatlinburg, and we had a blast! We were in need of a vacation, and this could not have come at a better time! Anna Claire was a trooper through the whole trip -from the long drive to all the shopping, etc - she did just wonderful!
Here are some views from our cabin's balcony, porch, front gate, etc.:




Pancake restaurants are on every corner in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so our first morning there, we ate at Flapjacks. Here's Kerstin showing off her chocolate chip pancakes!
After breakfast, the western store next door was calling Brad's name. While he was inside trying on boots (that he eventually purchased), Anna Claire was outside riding on the 1970's merry-go-round. I'm pretty sure I put in about $5 worth of quarters, but I kept reminding myself that in about 12 years, I'm going to wish that $5 would entertain our child for that length of time!
Then it was my turn to shop.....so I found the most delightful Christmas store! This place was amazing! We shopped for a long while in there and made a few purchases! I can't wait to decorate for Christmas!
And because we were on vacation - Anna Claire was allowed to eat breakfast in her new Dora ball pit. Lovely.
Here are Anna Claire and Kerstin before heading out for the day! Anna Claire's new friend is Darby from the "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" show on Disney - her new favorite.
While shopping in downtown Gatlinburg, we were in "need" of a little energy boost, so we found a quaint little place that served all things fried....here's Kerstin trying a deep fried Milky Way while AC samples a deep fried Snickers.


And now for a word from our sponsor: The Mommy Hook! Moms (and Dads) - if you have a small child that still rides in a stroller, this is a must have accessory! It held all our shopping bags, diaper bag, and my purse. When Anna Claire wanted to get out of her stroller, I simply moved the hook over to one side, and the stroller wouldn't tip. I love this new addition to our stroller!
One evening, AC served us all "tea" using her new tea set from her Aunt Roro (Brad's sister).
And here's AC in her "wed wace car"! She thought this was pretty cool!
We went to Ripley's Aquarium while we were there and had a blast! We weren't sure how AC would do with all the fish, but she loved them! She thought she had arrived because she didn't have to ride in her stroller!





We also went to The Apple Barn - a place filled with all things....well....apple! They were serving hot apple pie, apple dumplings, and apple fried pies along with hot/cold apple cider! Pa - we thought of you often at this place! Delicious. Anna Claire pretty much slept through this part of the adventure...I think the aquarium did her in for the day!