Family Summer Vacation 2012

This year we went to Pigeon Forge Tennessee for vacation. OMG the way we ended up in Tennessee is a story all in itself. We were originally supposed to go to Washington D.C. and tour the White House, Pentagon, Capital and Bureau of Engraving. However the Saturday before we were scheduled to leave we got news that a long standing member of our church, Mother Matthew had passed and because her funeral was on a day where we would be on vacation we had to change our destination so we could make it back by Saturday for the funeral. (The life of a Pastor...your life is not your own) 

God is the best landscaper!

So we decided last minute to change to Tennessee.  I love going to Tennessee for vacation because the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and whenever we go we always take the scenic route (85 to 985) through the mountains. 

We love to stop at the look out points to capture the beauty of God's hands.

My husband John and our kids.

Me with my daughter and niece.              

We stayed at the resort at Governors Crossing. It has a great pool. My kids are creatures of the sea so whatever hotel we stay at has to have a great pool.

A lot of the hotels in Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg have very small pools, so you have to do your research when booking your hotel.

They have both an indoor and outdoor pool both with great slides.

My son walking the water logs and my daughter climbing up to go next.

My kids about to slide.

 Whenever we go on vacation we love to really partake of the destination. So I try and choose activities that my entire family would enjoy. Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge is a great family destination spot. What I love most about it is that it is beautiful has a plethora of nature activities, and has a bunch of stuff for the kids to do. Our week was packed with fun activities. First up on the docket was Wonder Works Museum.

This destination was OK. We didn't enjoy the museum that much but they have a magic show which we attended that we really enjoyed.  They have this space walk activity where you are suspended from a harness in air and have to do a maze of ropes. It is pretty scary so I chickened out, but my son and niece completed it.

My neice Shekinah on the space rope.

My son Alex doing it. You can't tell from the picture but this is pretty high up,.

wonder works has a couple of activities. I give it about a 4 out of 10 for fun.

This was the best part of wonder works, The Terry Evanswood Magic Show. He is a Christian magician. (don't ask me how lol), but in the middle of the show he stops and gives a 10 minute talk to the audience about how magic isn't real it's all just an illusion and how God has been good to him and how is so thankful for God and who he is in his life.






Next up on the docket was whitewater rafting. This was SUPER fun!!! I can not stress how much fun we had. We got to swim in the river and jump off rocks. The best part was no one fell out of our boat. It was a bit intimidating at first because the guide does this talk that really scares you, he covers what happens if you fall out the boat or if the entire raft flips over. All of us were like uh oh do we really want to do this. But I prayed and asked God to protect us and not let anyone fall out and no one in our group fell out. 

I think our faces tell it all, FUN FUN FUN!

We got soaked which is good for a hot summer day. The water feels totally different than beach water.

Another activity that we love to do while in Gatlinburg is walk the strip. The strip is filled with activities, restaurants, desert parlors, shopping, many things to keep you occupied. Our favorite thing to do is to get a sausage and funnel cake. The cook these grilled sausages with peppers and onion on this outdoor grill delicious...and the funnel cakes are scrumptious. If yo love spinach dip try Blaines, they have really good spinach dip. In Pigeon Forge if you want a great burger go to Five Guys, they have really great burgers.

My husband and daughter always hand in hand, she loves her daddy.

At one of the restaurants on the strip. There are many to choose from. 

I would really recommend Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge to families as a vacation destination. It is affordable and has a lot to offer for activities, dinning, and family fun!

This year we went to Pigeon Forge Tennessee for vacation. OMG the way we ended up in Tennessee is a story all in itself. We were originally supposed to go to Washington D.C. and tour the White House, Pentagon, Capital and Bureau of Engraving. However the Saturday before we were scheduled to leave we got news that a long standing member of our church, Mother Matthew had passed and because her funeral was on a day where we would be on vacation we had to change our destination so we could make it back by Saturday for the funeral. (The life of a Pastor...your life is not your own) 

God is the best landscaper!

So we decided last minute to change to Tennessee.  I love going to Tennessee for vacation because the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and whenever we go we always take the scenic route (85 to 985) through the mountains. 

We love to stop at the look out points to capture the beauty of God's hands.

My husband John and our kids.

Me with my daughter and niece.              

We stayed at the resort at Governors Crossing. It has a great pool. My kids are creatures of the sea so whatever hotel we stay at has to have a great pool.

A lot of the hotels in Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg have very small pools, so you have to do your research when booking your hotel.

They have both an indoor and outdoor pool both with great slides.

My son walking the water logs and my daughter climbing up to go next.

My kids about to slide.

 Whenever we go on vacation we love to really partake of the destination. So I try and choose activities that my entire family would enjoy. Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge is a great family destination spot. What I love most about it is that it is beautiful has a plethora of nature activities, and has a bunch of stuff for the kids to do. Our week was packed with fun activities. First up on the docket was Wonder Works Museum.

This destination was OK. We didn't enjoy the museum that much but they have a magic show which we attended that we really enjoyed.  They have this space walk activity where you are suspended from a harness in air and have to do a maze of ropes. It is pretty scary so I chickened out, but my son and niece completed it.

My neice Shekinah on the space rope.

My son Alex doing it. You can't tell from the picture but this is pretty high up,.

wonder works has a couple of activities. I give it about a 4 out of 10 for fun.

This was the best part of wonder works, The Terry Evanswood Magic Show. He is a Christian magician. (don't ask me how lol), but in the middle of the show he stops and gives a 10 minute talk to the audience about how magic isn't real it's all just an illusion and how God has been good to him and how is so thankful for God and who he is in his life.






Next up on the docket was whitewater rafting. This was SUPER fun!!! I can not stress how much fun we had. We got to swim in the river and jump off rocks. The best part was no one fell out of our boat. It was a bit intimidating at first because the guide does this talk that really scares you, he covers what happens if you fall out the boat or if the entire raft flips over. All of us were like uh oh do we really want to do this. But I prayed and asked God to protect us and not let anyone fall out and no one in our group fell out. 

I think our faces tell it all, FUN FUN FUN!

We got soaked which is good for a hot summer day. The water feels totally different than beach water.

Another activity that we love to do while in Gatlinburg is walk the strip. The strip is filled with activities, restaurants, desert parlors, shopping, many things to keep you occupied. Our favorite thing to do is to get a sausage and funnel cake. The cook these grilled sausages with peppers and onion on this outdoor grill delicious...and the funnel cakes are scrumptious. If yo love spinach dip try Blaines, they have really good spinach dip. In Pigeon Forge if you want a great burger go to Five Guys, they have really great burgers.

My husband and daughter always hand in hand, she loves her daddy.

At one of the restaurants on the strip. There are many to choose from. 

I would really recommend Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge to families as a vacation destination. It is affordable and has a lot to offer for activities, dinning, and family fun!