Tennessee Trip, Part I

Last year my mom's side of the family decided they would have a family vacation every other year. My uncle had the honor of picking the location of the first get together and his choice was Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. So Dillon, Christina, and I packed up and headed east.

Sunday was travel day as we left SFO at 12:30 pm and after a hour layover in Atlanta we landed in Knoxville at 10:30 ET. Dillon was very well behaved on the plane and only put out a little whimper when he was up two hours past his regular nap time.

Monday was spent around our cabin we rented. Everyone was to tired to get up and see any sites. But we did play pool, cards, and foosball.

Tuesday we walked around some shops in Pigeon Forge. The highlight for Dillon and Robert (my three year old cousin) was a stop in the John Deere store. Right inside the door was a small motorized Gator that Dillon immediately jumped on, pointed to the back and said "Otis." After our window shopping was over we headed over to the Dixie Stampede.

For those of you who have never been to the Dixie Stampede, it is an overpriced horse show with excellent food. One of the caveats of the show is no one is given any silverware, which is quite tough to do with a toddler sitting on your lap. Dillon did have the time of his life watching the horses race around the arena. He clapped and yelled and had a rowdy good time.

Today was spent at Pigeon Forge's main attraction, Dollywood. Well, I should say part of the day. It has rained every day or evening we have been here and today was no different. Thunderstorms rolled in this afternoon and the threat of lightning shut down all the rides. We didn't get a chance to ride any of the adult rides since we spent most of our time there doing all the kiddie things. We did get a rain check (no pun intended) since we were forced to leave early. There is a good chance we will go back later this week to enjoy the big rides.

Below are pictures so far.

Their love for trucks and tractors enabled Dillon and Robert to get along from the beginning.

Even Uncle Curt joined in the tractor fun.


Dillon and Yvonne celebrating their second birthdays.


Grannie Barbara made Veggie Tales shorts for the little ones.


TRACTORS!!!!


Here is Dillon driving a car at one of the rides in Dollywood. Another favorite ride for Dillon was the teacups. Keith, Dillon and I got our teacup spinning the fastest, much to Christina's disapproval.


The fastest pink gun in Tennessee.


A trip to Tennessee isn't complete without seeing the worst (best?) mullet East of the Mississippi. I had Christina snap this picture while pretending to take a picture of me.