Like I mentioned in the previous post, Lynn planned a surprise weekend in Pigeon Forge for David's dad's 60th birthday. We rented a cabin and worked it out so David, Daniel, and Chris could all be there for a few days to celebrate. It was such a fun time for us because we all hadn't been together since Christmas. Somehow we even managed to keep it a surprise, and he had no clue! All of us went up early to find the cabin, get settled in, decorate, and be there to surprise him when he arrived.
Trying to find our cabin - it was called Trail's End and was definitely at the trail's end.
There it is!
Our view from the front porch!
The view just to the left off the front porch. This is part of the Black Bear Resort where
the huge fire was in March that burned over 50 cabins. You can see trees that were burned right
next to our cabin - we're not sure if the fire came that close or if it was a controlled burn, but still.
So sad...
Waiting on the porch for David's dad and Lynn to arrive.
"Where are they?"
They're here!
"Surprise, Bop-Bop!"
Anthony gave him a tour of the cabin.
Anthony calling dibs on this bed.
Birthday dinner of choice - Cheddar's!
David and Daniel cooking up some omelets for breakfast Saturday morning.
Saturday was the actual day of Ken's birthday, so we told him he got to choose whatever
we all did that day. His choice - heading to the Great Smoky Mountains for a little hiking!
Laurel Falls
Along the trail...
Anthony rode in his backpack carrier on the way in,
but wanted to hike himself on the way back out.
Hiking alongside Bop-Bop.
He wanted to hike with Mommy too.
Nevermind, he just wanted to swing.
Loved hiking with my boy!
Chris poses for a picture.
"Chris, what happened to the baby?"
Anthony found a little waterfall and had to stop and throw some rocks in.
Time for a picnic lunch at the visitor's center.
Anthony's not too sure...
He decided it was a nice bear.
Exhausted from all the fun.
After lunch, we headed up to Clingman's Dome. Ken and Lynn
decided to sit this one out in the car with Anthony so he could sleep.
Big rock...
...Chris tries to climb it, of course.
"Whose idea was it to come up here?"
At least the view is nice.
Chris, Codi, and I made it.
"Um, where are Daniel and David?"
Here comes David.
There's Daniel!
Photo ops...
Time to head back down.
Silly boys making fun of the view (or lack thereof.)
Remember, this is the view!
Hiking part of the Appalachian Trail.
As if we'd just hiked hundreds of miles to get here. Actually, we
were about that tired anyway after just the hike up to Clingman's Dome.
After all the hiking we headed back to the cabin
for some downtime Saturday afternoon and evening.
Anthony loved hanging out with Uncle Chris.
The Caramel Peanut Butter Drizzle Ice Cream Cake from Marble Slab. Yum!
Look who got the Happy Birthday, Butthead statue!
Late night pool tournament.
Foosball too!
This is where we found Daniel and Chris early Sunday morning.
Later Sunday morning we headed out for some family fun at the arcade and go-kart track.
Start your engines!
And they're off!
David's pretty serious on the track....
Daniel is too...
Ken and Lynn keeping it neck and neck.
Not sure what Codi's doing here.
Chris wins for Most Photogenic While Driving a Go-Kart.
Waving to me and Anthony.
His signature thumbs up shot.
Anthony really wished he could be out there with them.
After the go-kart rides, we headed over to the arcade. Let me just say now,
you have never truly lived until you go to an arcade with these crazy brothers!
Classic Skeeball
Anthony's giving it a try.
"Oooh, a car to drive!"
"Alright, Uncle Chris, let's do this."
7th Place?! Anthony looks a little scared.
Anthony could really get into this game - throwing balls at the screen.
"Oh sad, it's over."
Don't worry, Anthony. The whole family's about to get in on this one.
Jackpot!
So excited over the tickets and tokens they won.
Alright, Chris, feed the machine.
Whoa!
Chris showing off his prizes.
Anthony got a prize too!
Time for some kiddie rides for Anthony.
He decided he wanted to ride the train with Bop-Bop.
Lynn had another surprise in store for Sunday afternoon. Remember the lady with Bledsoe Photography who took our amazing family photos last fall? Well, she and her family came to get family pictures of all of us! Anthony was excited to play with her little girl and make a new friend.
Sunday evening we took to the streets of Gatlinburg.
What, Chris isn't giving a thumbs up sign?
Oh, there it is!
Monday morning - do we have to leave?
On our way home we stopped for lunch at Chuy's.
We met up with Uncle Collin and Aunt Meagan there. Collin's birthday is the same
day as David's dad's, so we took him out to eat lunch and gave him a birthday
present. A perfect way to wrap up our family birthday celebration weekend!
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