On Top of Ole Smokey

Every time Auburn and Tennessee play at Neyland Stadium we make it a point to go.... and make a vacation out of it, thanks to Ree and PaPa! While the football game is one of the highlights of the trip, the beautiful views, great weather (minus on the top of Clingman's Dome... brrr), attractions, food, family time, and cheesy photo ops make it a place we want to visit over and over ... and over again. 

We arrived Thursday night, but first thing Friday morning we headed out for the traditional breakfast at Pancake Pantry... sooo yummy. What is so great about where we stay is that it's walking distance (I'm talking a block away) from the shopping and dinning in downtown Gatlinburg. 

After breakfast, we were up on top of Clingman's Dome by noon... and to think we brought a picnic. :) 

Needless to say, that didn't happen. We took a family pic, took in the view, and decided we weren't prepared enough to face the 27 degree weather at the top of this mountain any longer!

That night we walked The Village, ate out, and took some pictures around downtown.

Restaurant Coloring (Take a look at that form...)

Cheese!

We also got in the spirit for the game the next day!

 Another reason why I really love this age... we went into a candy store and he didn't ask for candy once... only a .50 train ride. :)

A long day was had by all.

The next morning we were out of the hotel by 9:00 and headed to Knoxville to watch the Tigers take on the Vols.

 Burke's reaction to our first quarter playing...

Second quarter... Hmm.... getting a bit better Auburn...

We won!

Now to beat Georgia.... I believe!

The next morning we headed to Cade's Cove. We saw a lot of deer! 

Burke really loved pointing them out.

While Ree and Burke were busy petting the mule that helped make cane syrup, I bumped into one of my college fiends that twirled with me at Auburn! Small world! It was so great to catch up.

Burke loves being outdoors... and one of his favorite pastimes is picking up rocks, and sticks,

 and leaves. He's all boy. So a trip through Cade's Cove was right up his ally.

And we finally got our picnic! We set up lunch and had a little fun.

Then for the car ride back to town.

 Ryan came up with this genius invention on the way back from the football game. It was utilized regularly there after. :)

 That evening we went to Dixie Stampede, but had to take advantage of the photo opportunities before us.

 Once inside, his eyes didn't leave the stage (that's if you call a rodeo arena a stage...). He loved the horses... and the corn on the cob.

And I would just like to take a minute to post a picture he will kill me for in a couple of years. 

That's all.

Monday morning, Ree and PaPa had to leave pretty early, so after Burke woke up we got ready and went to take in downtown Gatlinburg one last time. 

I had to share this pic... Before we left, I was pulling out my camera to make sure it was charged. He put all his animals (Aubie, bunny, and bear-the newest addition) in the chair, climbed up and said "Cheese." You know I LOVE that he wanted me to take his picture. 

Mission accomplished.

Really starting to be a ham for the camera. I LOVE it.

 On our way home, Ryan and I thought it would be nice to take a short hike. Well.... we should have done our research before, because the one we chose, well,... let's just say the three of us got .2 miles into it and called it off. 

Picture time instead!

 RoCkS!

He was having so much fun...

and then we told him we had to leave. Look at that bottom lip! He can turn it on I tell you!

 Bye bye Ole Smokey. Thanks for a wonderful time.

Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.