Where is the Owner's Manual?: January 2011

I have spent so many Christmas Holidays in Gatlinburg, with my mom and dad, that it is almost like a second home to me. I love the city and I have created so many fond memories there...the beautiful Christmas lights, adding sparkle to the city, the crisp cold air that freezes you to the bone and forces you to drink hot chocolate as the only way to warm up, the bantering back and forth about who will win the next game of putt putt, and many more...that I was so anxious to get there and start creating those same memories with Jack and the boys.

We left after school on Wednesday and arrived late, but got everyone tucked into their beds and resting for the big days ahead. Ben and I got up early Thursday morning and did a jog around the city. Clayton was up when we left, and I could tell that he was a little disappointed that he wasn't going with us, but it was a nice time to spend with just Ben. He is turning into such a wonderful teenager, and he seems to genuinely enjoy our company just as we enjoy his. It was nice to have this time with him exploring the city as the stores opened up, and listening to all of the things that he wanted to do while we were there.

Breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, a ride on the Ripley's Moving Theatre, and the Skylift were on the agenda for the morning. Here are some photos.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel for a break, and we were enjoying snacks out on the balcony when Clayton blurted out, "this is the best get together money could buy!" How sweet, that was like music to my ears!

I'm sure that the kids would say differently, but my most enjoyable time was in the hotel room visiting and cutting up, rather than walking the streets, and after dinner Thursday night, we did just that. Even Jack got in on the action.