Fall Break 2018

Fall Break 2018 can be summed up in one word: friends.  When we were recapping all of the fun we had during the vacation, Lissie came to the realization that we hung out with friends every single day.  What can you say - you get by with a little help from your friends!  (You could also sum up the break with two words :wooden bridges.  Somehow we found bridges everywhere on our outdoorsy break and had to have pictures at all of them!)

We started the Break with the annual camping trip with church friends.  It was the first time in a long time that rain didn't hinder any part of the camping experience!  The kids enjoyed creek playing, pumpkin patching, and s'moresing.  And I enjoyed hiking and hanging out by the campfire.  Win-win for all!

The best sleep I've gotten in ages!

We spent one day at the movies watching Smallfoot and eating all.of.the.candy.  We burned the energy off by riding bikes and hiking at a nearby park.

Another day we went to the zoo and rode all of the rides and petted kangaroos.

Then we realized that Lissie's godfamily was coming to town and we managed to squeeze in a hike and brunch before we drove to the Smokies to round out our break.

As always, we started the trip with BBQ at Bennett's.  The next day we got to Dollywood bright and early and stayed until just before it closed.  Lissie was finally tall enough to ride the big rides (much to the chagrin of slightly shorter little brother), and she loved every minute of it.  The Pumpkin LumiNights exhibit was pretty neat, too.

I love this picture.  Lissie was the photographer who caught us not quite ready at all.  Haha.

We spent Saturday lounging at the waterpark.  It was a bit of a bummer that the indoor slides were closed to maintenance, but that didn't stop us from having fun at the wave pool and hot tub.  We even ventured outside for a bit, where X enjoyed the waterslides but Lissie was pouty because she realized she was only big enough to do the "cool slides" if she is wearing shoes.  We ended Saturday by inviting our friends to our place for dinner, movie (for the kids), and a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity for the grownups.

Luckily the weather held out for us to enjoy a hike to Laurel Falls.  We stopped at the Sugarland Visitor Center on our way out and, on a whim, decided to follow the nearby trail to Cataract Falls, as well.  It made for a long day and even longer trip home, but it was a great way to round out the trip!

Now it's back to reality.  School's back in session, but it's a good thing we all love being at school!  However, it's not stopping me from counting the days to the next time we're back in the Smokies.  Christmas Break will be here before we know it!