The Louis Family: Great Smoky Mountains

What a treat we had going to the Smoky Mountains with Walter, Megan, and their sweet boys!

Found a cabin right outside the craziness that is Gatlinburg.

Luckily, we came in the off season, so we didn't have to fight too much traffic getting through the tourist trap and into the park.

We arrived Wednesday night (my 33rd birthday!)... 1 day after MG and I got back from Texas.

View of the mountains from our cabin.

We were up and ready to go Thursday morning...

Stopped off at the visitors' center before we went into the park...

For our 1st adventure, we decided (really most, if not all, decisions were made by Tom and Walter- really nice not to have to plan anything- we were just along for the ride, and luckily, they didn't make too many bad decisions) to drive up the mountain and take the short-ish trail up to Clingman's Dome... the highest point in the park.

Well, when we got out of the cars, we knew that wasn't going to happen. It was very very very foggy, windy, and pretty chilly!

So we took a trail going down.... which was a little better to be blocked from the wind amongst the trees.

It was a given that Simon was going to have to be held...much to my dismay, Margaret Gray took full advantage of her daddy's arms, too...

Such a great family to vacation with!

By the time we left to go back down the mountain, Simon was DONE!

Went back to the cabin for lunch and naps....

... and Megan brought cupcakes to celebrate my birthday!!

YUM!

Not sure what killed his joy...

My kids really enjoyed hanging out with their Charlotte cousins...

I really enjoyed watching them getting to know each other better...

I'll definitely miss living closer to them.

That evening, we headed into town...

Found a mini putt putt course that was built into the side of a hill...

Kids had fun!

Both Jackson and Dillan have some mad golf skills. :)

Tom beat Walter, and Walter treated us to dinner at some Mexican food place... the Crazy Donkey? Loco Burro? Can't remember the name.

What What! Dessert!

2nd day adventure-

hike to Laurel Falls.

A little over 2.5 miles round trip.

Got lots of pictures of the back of everyone's heads...

We made it!

Resting

Looking down the falls... pictures don't do it justice.

Heading back down.

Aiden was such a trooper!!!!

I distracted MG with the story of our trip to Texas on the way down... was the only way to get her mind off of the fact she was done with walking... and was nice to relive our trip together.

Saw this deer on our drive to our lunch destination.

Picnic lunch in Cades Cove

Saw this little fall on our way back to our cabin..

Stopped along the side of the rode to take a picture.

Friendly tourist offer to take a picture of us...

... and focused on the fall.

Playtime around the cabin that evening.... Really sad I didn't get a picture of the kids playing air hockey.

They had a blast doing that.

These pics of wrestling Uncle Walter will have to do.

3rd day adventure...

Along the Ramsey Cascades Trail.

The actual trip is about 8 miles round trip... we just walked until we decided it was time to turn around.

This day was much colder and a bit drizzly.

These 2 could have thrown rocks into the water all day long.

That turkey got her daddy to carry her again!

I think he enjoyed it :)

Snack break before we headed back...

Not sure why Henry and Walter put this stick here..

Thank goodness Megan brought toys and games for the kids!

Walter brought his fry daddy, and he and Tom went to work. Pickles, onions, wings... delish.

Had to check out the hot tub before we left.

Too bad it bleached my kids' suits... should have rinsed them.

Said our goodbyes to Walter, Megan, and the boys (happy to know we would get to see them in a month for Christmas!) and took one more stroll through the park.... it was FREEZING!!!! and we made our kids get out of car and take family pictures 3 too many times.