Day Seven: Dollywood

In spite of the chill in the air, or maybe because of it, we headed to Dollywood and her festival of lights. The park is just amazing this time of year with the millions of lights and lack of horrendous crowds.

We saw "The Polar Express: a 4D adventure" and it was a lot of fun. The seat you are in moves with the action, up, down, side to side, generally violently. Apparently the young child in the front row was not informed of this and protested quite vocally. It was pretty cool though, it seemed like the snow was falling right in front of you, and the train was going to crush you to death. Yes, fun for the whole family.

We wandered about enjoying the lights and even won a Rudolph and Bumble Snowman in the Pick a Duck. I think the nice German lady would have just given them to us anyways, truthfully. Not a lot of action going on in the kiddie section.

The steam train, Klondike Katie, was a lot of fun too. (FYI at this point the temperature was hovering around 25 degrees) The patrons of the train were more interested in huddling together for warmth than seeing the lights it would seem. It was a nice ride though and made you appreciate the little things like, warmth, thermal underwear and hot chocolate.

After leaving the train we headed briskly, and I do mean briskly, for the food. Nothing felt so good as the warm, steamy bakery with their warm, comfy, inside chairs. A pepper and onion sausage and a chocolate croissant (not as good as Paris, but will do in a blizzard) later and we were ready to face the cold again. At least as long as it took to get to the gift shop and the thankfully not too long line for the tram back to the car.

All in all, a lot of fun was had. Both today and all week long. She'll be heading back to Santa Fe tomorrow where two boys are waiting, a furry one with long hair, and the cat. With any luck the weather will be better for her going home than it was to get here. It's no fun sleeping in the airport.

Thanks for coming along for the ride everyone!!

Day Six: Gatlinburg and Groupers

Had a fun day today visiting Gatlinburg. After a tasty lunch at Riverstone (their Grilled Shrimp Salad and Loaded Fries are to die for!) we spent the afternoon wandering about Gatlinburg. It was a bit on the chilly side, but we bundled up pretty good.

I've noticed every other shop is either a candy store or an old time photography store. How is it possible to support so many of the same stores in such a small area? After a little window shopping we headed to the warm, tropical-like Aquarium of the Smokies. That place is awesome! I'd never been there before and we practically had the place to ourselves as the tourists have pretty much gone. We had so much fun we went around twice. We even touched the sting rays and didn't die! (apparently the poisoned barbs that killed Steve Irwin are removed from their tails) Amazingly enough to get out you need to go through the gift shop! Of course we had to buy some stuff! Christmas is coming you know.

After the aquarium we went to Mr. Tablecloth and More to browse their Vera Bradley collection. The best part was that when the girls found out I was from Townsend, I got the local discount. So of course we had to buy more.

We swung through Pigeon Forge on the way home. It's quite beautiful with all the lights up. They have the 12 days of Christmas displayed down the main strip. I find it interesting that "Four calling birds" were 4 parrots sitting on telephones!

Then it was back home and present wrapping. I hope Tiffani brought a big suitcase!

Day Five: Whoopie Pies and Barbara Walters

With the wind still whipping around out there we stayed put at the Grandparents, watching big screen TV and messing up Grandpa's kitchen.

I found a great recipe for homemade whoopie pies and boy are they huge. Tiffani said she's taking the recipe with her and making some for Kenny. I do believe its our first official Christmas miracle!

Finished off the evening with Barbar Walters and her 10 most fascinating people. I have a theory. It's interesting how much Lady Gaga and Brittany Spears look alike. They even have similar singing styles. Could they be the same person?? Has anyone ever seen them on stage together? Just think about it. How simple would it be to trade in the crazy, trailer trash image for something more glitzy and popular? I think I may be on to something.

Day Four: Malling in Maryville and Sleepless in Seattle

Greetings one and all. Another relaxing day full of shopping and cinema. Figured I'd get today's post in before we lose the power as its been flickering for a while.

Spent the morning Christmas shopping in Hastings, Staples and Old Navy. Then had a lovely lunch at the chinese buffet. As far as I can tell, no cat was injured or served in the process. We finished up our shopping just as the storms rolled in. No snow, as its 60 degrees out, but lots of wind and rain.

Headed up to the grandparents who have a snug little cottage on the mountain (closer to the wind and rain unfortunately) but with a fabulous big screen HD TV perfect for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (with a short intermission for Charlie Brown Christmas and Prep and Landing). This was followed by a viewing of everyone's favorite chick flick "Sleepless in Seattle" Meg Ryan was so cute before all the botched plastic surgery.

Day Three: Lazy and Loving It

Not too much to report today. Tiff was feeling a little under the weather (perhaps a little non-altitude sickness) so we completely vegged out and hung out at home. In fact the only reason we got out of our pajamas at 6 pm was that we needed to go foraging at the IGA. (and I'm not really sure Tiffani was out of her pajamas)

We did get the presents wrapped and watched Momma Mia though.

One cool thing though, I spent most of the day on Ancestry.com and was able to prove that Kenny is related to Abraham Lincoln. Apparently they're 3rd cousins, 6 times removed. It was really fun trying to sort through it all. If you put Kenny in a stove pipe hat, he looks just like Lincoln.

Now time for some reruns of Sex and the City.

Day Two New Moon and Old Mall

Tiffani, while not quite in the same league as her Aunt Kathy, definitely takes shopping to a whole new level. Now that yesterday's snowstorm is just a frozen memory we can shop with impunity.

We had a lovely morning with the grandparents, putting up the Christmas Tree that Hallmark built. We need a separate tree for all the Star Wars and Star Trek ornaments. After that was a lovely lunch at Sonic and some very weird onion rings. More like onion flavored cheesecake bites.

Then it was off to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping for the FSM and the fiance`. It barely registers as a mall to be truthful, but it does have a lovely TJ Maxx having lots of lovely Christmas sales.

Next was the 4:00 showing of New Moon. It very nice this time around as it was more centered on the half naked werewolf boys than the creepy sparkly reject from Harry Potter. I do believe I am in Team Jacob.

Then it was off to Target and, yup, more Christmas shopping. I do believe my credit cards are starting to melt from overuse. Finished off the evening with a little shopping at Krogers. (Don't tell the folks at IGA, lol)

Now we are sitting in the living room watching Slumdog Millionaire and having Hickory Farms cheese and smoked sausage, Kalamata olives, sushi, and Angry Beaver Hard Cider. Oh wait, I guess that's just a mildly annoyed Woodchuck. Quite tasty.

The kitty is quite happy to see us.

Day One Part Two Time for Dinner

Tiffani arrived safe and sound and even a little early. Luckily Atlanta wasn't affected by the storm. Tiff was feeling a little peckish so we had a nice Prime Rib and BBQ Rib dinner at Timber's. Too full for dessert but we can do that tomorrow.

After hauling a giant suitcase into the trailer, hellos were said to Cinnamon the oldest cat in the world (or so it seems). Time for some Storm Chasers on Discovery Channel.

Tomorrow let the shopping begin.