On New Year's Eve, we decided to take a drive up the mountains and get some pictures. It was FREEZING! Gatlinburg was under a wind advisory AND it was a mere 29 degrees! So, you can imagine how hard it was to get everyone out of the car at our stops. Not to mention the fact that Mama and I couldn't even walk due to our hike up the mountain the day before! It was beautiful! It is amazing to actually stop and take notice of God's creation.

Dustin and Lee took a little walk out in the middle of the river.

Russ and I freezing our tails off!

After a morning in the mountains, we were ready for lunch. Again - FOOD! :) Kristin still had some places she wanted to see in Pigeon Forge...and I wanted to go back to the Apple Barn. So, we drove back into Pigeon Forge. We ate and shopped around a little. One of our stops was to the Christmas Place. It's great! Daddy used to always buy Mama one of her Christmas collection pieces here when he came (Dickens Village, Clothtique Santas, etc.). Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I wasn't ready to get rid of it any time soon. I LOVE Christmas stores! Oh! And of course we had to stop for a group photo as soon as we arrived!

The Christmas Place

Our family

...now it's Lee's turn to be a part! Russ took this picture.

The GIANT Mountain and More Eating!

Our second day in Gatlinburg, Dustin and Russ decided they wanted to do some hiking. I wanted to take some pictures but wasn't too excited about going all the way up. So, Mama agreed to join me for a short walk. Then we would wait for the guys in the car. That was the plan. Rainbow Falls was the location. First, let me say that it was not at all a "little walk up the mountain." In fact, I wouldn't even call it a trail! I mean we HIKED over boulders, rocks, logs, trees, and dirt. I guess the dirt part was the trail. Whatever! Dustin and Russ were GONE very early in the journey. Mama and I were left to heave and hurt all alone. About 45 minutes into the trip, we decided it was time to head back to the car. Trauma hit! No keys! They were in Russ's pocket! By the time we caught up to the guys (and only because they kept stopping to take pictures) Mama had convinced me, "We've gone this far. We might as well finish it." OMG! 5.2 miles of hiking up and down a mountain! But, I did it!

Pretty early in our walk, we stopped to breathe. At this point, there was still a bit of a trail. But, it was UPhill!

Dustin picked up a walking stick at the beginning. Maybe that's why he was able to walk so fast!

Mama and I were walking along and realized we could no longer hear Russ's bear bell. Yes, he bought a bear bell because I was scared to death we would die at the mercy of the gigantic beast! :) All of a sudden, we heard a voice. Looking straight up, this was our view! Dustin was ALL OVER the mountain the entire day. We never knew where he would show up!

Dustin and Russ

Oh cute! A bridge over the river! Did I mention I am scared of heights!?

Me and Dustin at one of the many views of the river

Mama and me taking another breather! Notice the Diet Coke sitting on the rock. Is it obvious that we are NOT hikers?

When Mama and I FINALLY made it to the falls, we saw this blue dot under the waterfall. OMG! It was Dustin! And we still don't know HOW he got there!

Yay! I made it!

Russ, me, and Dustin at Rainbow Falls

This hike took us a little over 3 hours from beginning to end! After our strenuous hike, we decided to head back downtown for lunch and a ride on the sky lift. We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Forest Gump is Dustin's favorite movie. So, he was particularly excited!

Dustin in Forest's shoes and me. Ha!

Russ and me on the sky lift

Mama sat this one out. So, Dustin rode solo making me a nervous wreck switching into unsafe positions the entire ride. Have I told you about my fear of heights!?

After all the events of the day, Mama, Russ, Dustin, and I went back to the condo for rest and a movie. Kristin, Lee, and Daddy went to Pigeon Forge to shop for the day. After a couple of hours of rest, we got ready for our evening out for SUPPER! I told you we like to eat! We met the rest of the group in Pigeon Forge at Apple Barn. DELICIOUS! Seriously yummy food and in great amounts!

A freshened up Russ and me at the Apple Barn

Pancake Pantry and Dixie Stampede

Anyone who vacations with the Smiths knows that we love to eat! We have been known to plan an entire vacation around where we will eat each meal. We have our "traditional" restaurants that we must eat at and, sometimes, we stick in a new restaurant or two. Our first day in Gatlinburg was filled with tradition! You cannot visit Gatlinburg without eating at the Pancake Pantry!

Me and Russ outside Pancake Pantry

Will call this bear with antlers a...dear! I know, cheesy!

After Pancake Pantry, the group split and shopped around downtown Gatlinburg for the rest of the day. It's always a little scary when Dustin and Daddy pair up on trips. You will see why in a sec. After piddling downtown, it was time for our next stop for food - Dixie Stampede! I have never been to Gatlinburg without eating at the Dixie Stampede. It is awesome! It is a dinner theater-type thing. You have a preshow where you receive a complimentary "boot mug" with your drink of choice. After that great entertainment, everyone heads into the arena. While watching horses and riders do fantastic tricks and great productions, we are eating "Southern Style!" The menu includes an awesome vegetable soup, cheese biscuits, a whole chicken!, corn on the cob, a slice of pork, and roasted potato. Did I mention there are NO UTENSILS! So much fun! Since your hands are a little busy chowing down...to applaud after performances, everyone uses their feet. Hence, the name - Dixie STAMPEDE! So much fun! The North and South compete throughout the show, and it ends with audience participation. Everyone had to pass the giant candy cane and shout, "Happy New Year!" before passing it to the next person. The first side (north or south) to have all candy canes at the end wins. Yes, the South won! That was us. :)

This is what I was referring to when I said it's scary to let Daddy and Dustin pair up and shop! Daddy wore these ALL NIGHT!

Me, Russ, Kristin, and Lee waiting for the doors to open

Preshow entertainment

Mama and Daddy with their souvenier mugs during the preshow

Dustin, Kristin, Russ, Lee, and me with our mugs

Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures during the show. But, trust me - you must go to the Dixie Stampede next time you are in Gatlinburg!

New Year's Getaway

This holiday season has been a crazy one for Russ and I. Between my school stress and Russ's interviewing and traveling, we've hardly had ANY time to relax. I know...many of you are sitting there saying, "Welcome to the real world." But, seriously, from October on I never felt like I could catch up! So, I had an idea! My dad had told us he was planning to visit a friend who recently moved to Maryville, TN after Christmas. Enter my thought! Maryville is near Gatlinburg! My family used to go to Gatlinburg every Spring Break for cheerleading competitions and vacations. We haven't been in forever. So, my dad's friendly visit turned into a Smith family vacation to Gatlinburg. Our mission: to RELAX!

We began our vacation on the 27th after a wedding that my dad officiated in Memphis. Since he was in Memphis, we just decided to meet him in Nashville and spend a night there. We stayed across the street from the Opryland Hotel. Our hotel was very nice and within walking distance of the Opryland Hotel. We spent the evening walking through the hotel and eating dinner there. It was a fun night. I always love the Opryland Hotel during the holidays.

The family inside the Opryland Hotel - thanks to Lee for taking the picture!

The kids outside the hotel

Enough Said...

Yes...the Smith family is on vacation again! We are in Gatlinburg TRYING to enjoy some relaxation and beautiful sights. I will begin blogging about this as soon as I can. The internet connection is terrible!

However, I will leave you with a view of what it's like to vacation with the Smiths.

Daddy flipped the recliner landing against the fireplace with computer in his lap! I definitely had my priorities in line - MY CAMERA!

Enough said!

Coon Family Christmas

Growing up, my grandparents always came up from Jackson on Christmas Day to see what Santa brought. We would eat supper and open gifts with them that night. Since Nonnie has had Alzheimer's, she is not able to come up to Corinth anymore. So, last year, we started a new tradition. My family packed up and headed to Jackson Christmas Day. We ate at my aunt's sister's house. Then, we headed to my aunt and uncle's to open gifts. We had a wonderful time visiting and sharing memories with LOTS of laughter! In case you haven't figured this out - laughter is a staple in our family!

Daddy, Mama, Pops, and Nonnie enjoying some fabulous food

Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, Clancy, Jack, and Aunt Patsy's sister's family

Kristin and Dustin looked so cute in their "homey" rocking chairs!

Russ and me eating on a side table - so young and in love! Ha!

Santa Claus Came to Town!

Christmas morning is the day! Santa has made his list and checked it twice...and we must have been on the nice list! Yay! Christmas morning my brother, sister, and I always wait at the stairs until everyone is there. No one can see what Santa brought until we were all together. So, this year was no different! We all waited at the bottom of the stairs. Text messages were sent to make sure we were all up! Ha! I must admit, Santa Claus was very good to us this year!

Kristin, me, Russ, and Dustin coming straight from BED!

Russ's surprise from Santa in his new tailgating chair! Our stockings are heirlooms made by a family member many years ago. When Russ joined the family, my grandmother had my grandfather's old stocking changed to become Russ's. Very special!

I love my new scrapbooking tote! Jimmy and Roan's family gave me lots of scrapbook accessories to put in it! Also, notice the cute robe Santa picked out!

Russ was super surprised about his new Ipod Nano! Loving his chair!

Santa even left Farley a little something - a roll in his stocking! There is a very funny story behind this!

Smith Family Christmas

After the Johnson family Christmas festivities, Russ and I always make our way to our home church for the Christmas Eve service. It's always such a special time for us to reflect on what this holiday is truly about. After the Christmas Eve service, my family heads back to my parents' house to eat supper and open gifts. Always very eventful!

Russ and me in front of the tree

After supper, Kristin, Dustin, and I pass out gifts to our "official spots." As my grandmother entered the room, she yelled out, "This is just sinful!" We tried to explain that there are a lot of people opening all these gifts!

Again - gifts, gifts...

...and more gifts!

Me, Kristin, and Mama waiting patiently to open gifts

Little did we know...there were some special visitors at our home that night!

Elf 1...

Elf 2...

...and the big man himself!

Well...this is the REAL big man! Sorry, Russ!

We were all particularly excited about our gifts we found for Maw Maw. Maw Maw plays cards and dominoes with "the girls" at least 2-3 times a week. I mean...until wee hours of the morning! So she was very excited when she opened her monogrammed playing cards and "Bling Pink Dominoes" - the dots were pink rhinestones!

Maw Maw as she opened her Pink Bling Domino set

Lee and Rhonda join us for this fun night of FREE entertainment! Ha!

It's so nice for Kristin to pick out a "stylish" wardrobe for me! I would much rather spend my time shopping for others!

Dustin is extremely happy about his Dale Earnhart, Jr. loot!

Mama and Daddy's new piggy bank - Now, they can just put thier money in the top pig labeled "Retirement Fund" and watch it go into the bigger pig labeled "College Fund." They are so glad they can actually SEE where their money goes!

Kristin was obsessed with anything OWL this year! Notice the owl apron and cd holder.

Dustin and Russ in their new North Face hats.

Farley even had a wonderful Christmas! Notice his cute Christmas t-shirt, leg warmers, and matching scarf on the floor. He also LOVED his bed and dog bowls!

Mama acting like...well - HER NORMAL SELF!

The Smith family had a major catastrophe this year! We ran out of garbage bags!! It was funny until we FINALLY finished opening gifts and goofing off at midnight! This is what we saw.

The mess in the middle of the living room

The mess behind the couch

One of my favorite things about Christmas Eve is our family tradition before going to bed. My dad always reads the Christmas Story and the Night Before Christmas to all the kids before we go to bed and get ready for Santa!

Farley is allowed to join in...I guess since he's the "grandpuppy." Russ never made the cut!

It was a very entertaining and fun Christmas Eve, as always! Now, we just wait for Santa! And, YES, Santa still comes to our house full of adults!