Thanksgiving 2016

Our Thanksgiving was less than ideal, but we made the best of the situation. Evan and Alex both showed signs of sickness the day before we left for Gatlinburg. Evan tested positive for strep throat and Alex had an upper respiratory infection. Both got antibiotics and we were on our way. After a 2 1/2 hour drive, we opted to stop in Pigeon Forge for lunch and shopping before heading into Gatlinburg. As soon as we were seated in the restaurant to eat (after a 30 minute wait), Alex promptly vomited all over himself and high chair. That's when I realized his backpack still had shorts in it from the summer and not long pants for winter weather. So yes, Alex wore shorts for the next couple of hours until we got to the hotel. He was sick for 12 straight hours. I was soooo glad our condo had a washer/dryer since we used it continuously for towels and clothes.

I also thought I had packed an extra sheet for the two port a cribs and realized I didn't pack the original two, so I only had one sheet. Alex got to sleep on a towel.  The next day was Thanksgiving. We had reservations at 12 for our traditional lunch buffet at the Park Vista hotel. It was amazing and both boys seemed fine.  We spent Friday at the aquarium and had fun walking around Gatlinburg. Friday night was Evan's turn for the 12 hour stomach bug.

We love Gatlinburg and had fun, but boy I don't wish stomach bugs on anyone that has to travel. On Sunday we drove home and then learned on Monday that Gatlinburg homes burned. So much damage was done.

I don't think we will ever forget this Thanksgiving vacation. We are very thankful for so many things. It's been surreal.

Rides at Ober Gatlinburg. The boys loved the quarter rides, merry go rounds, and bears.

 Outdoor playground at Ober Gatlinburg.

The Festival of Trees at the Gatlinburg Convention Center had an amazing kids area set up this year for the boys to play.

Ready for Thanksgiving lunch.

We met Aunt Marie, Uncle Bobby, David, Ashley and their kiddos to celebrate David's birthday at The Greenbrier in Gatlinburg on Friday night.

The aquarium.

 My visit to the Paula Deen store downtown.

Trick or Treat 2016

Last weekend we attended the Euro Car Fest in Greenville. They had a great little photo op set up with hay & pumpkins. It's the first year I didn't have to take the boys to a pumpkin patch to get a fall photo. They loved the cars. It got us in the mood for driving a race car at Halloween.

Our neighbors host a wonderful party each Halloween at 5 pm. They have pizza, desserts, drinks, and a great play set in the backyard for the kids. All of the neighbors gather with their kids dressed up to eat before dark. We took the boys to the party and then came home to get their little red car. It's much nicer to trick-or-treat with a car than a stroller. Plus Darth Vader and Captain Phasma (head stormtrooper) need a cool ride.

 Our neighbors "booed" us and gave the boys light sabers (glow sticks). 

I ordered Vince's Chewbacca coat months ago. Needless to say, the 80 degree weather rendered it useless. We took our customary photos and then Vince ditched the jacket.

 I was R2D2.

 The boys did great in their costumes. Evan wore his mask for less than 1 second.  Alex loved wearing his every day but opted to not wear it at night because he couldn't see well out of it.

We were able to see lots of neighbors and rang many doorbells.  Evan took a nap after about 5 houses, so Alex and I collected the candy from the neighbors. Everyone was so generous. I prepackaged some bags of candy and left them on the front step with a sign to take one. I had to refill it only twice. We did not get our usual crowd of kids bused in from other areas, so we had tons of candy left over.  We had a very productive Halloween!

2016 Fall Family Fun

I found some photos of fun things we did this past fall and had forgotten to post earlier. We went to the Children's Museum in Hendersonville, NC during their apple festival in September.

We had a fun cookout with friends in September in Greenville.

We also went to another children's museum in October in Greenville, SC.  The boys love love love children's museums. My sister, Kim, and my mom joined me with the boys.

The boys had farmer's day at school in October.