Pigeon Forge 2013

The last week in June my family and I traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for our annual "Franks Family Reunion."  Last year we went to the Outer Banks for a week, so we decided to do the opposite of beach life and spend a week in the "mountains" this year. We had a great time together as usual! And we've already got summer '14 plans in the making. :)

Just hanging out with my girls. Morning time is good for snuggle time. 

Carter getting in some quality tummy time before getting in the car to ride to PF.

Love these girls!

Josh and I thought it would be fun/neat to stop at the Bush's Baked Bean factory for lunch and a quick museum tour. This is on the way to the house in PF if you take some back roads. We had seen it in past trips to PF, but never took the time to stop.

Enjoying lunch outside on the patio. 

Coloring her picture of the Duke, the dog.

Carter, doing her thing. 

This is inside the museum. It's the biggest can of baked beans I've ever seen. 

And sadly, this is our first picture of our family of 4 outside of the hospital. 

Our family weighs 347,904 beans!! 

Our home for the week, thanks to some very dear friends!

Back porch view

and another

Ready for the week

Mom and Dad spending some time with their girls, Chiefa included.

Dad and Tillman showing off their hiking boots. 

 Josh hiking Laurel Falls Trail with his sidekick on his back.

Laurel Falls Trail - Carter was there, but not photoed. 

Closer up

Big Dep, Little Dep, and Tillman 

The Falls

The whole gang on the trail 

Back at home after the hike, Chiefa is relaxing.

Danica and her baby. 

Relaxing, alone! :) 

... and then I got some company. 

You know you're on vacation when... 

Mom & Danica cheesing in the kitchen. 

Tony feeding Carter, using the bib he gave her. 

Little Sister is not little anymore. :) 

Daddy and Carter going for a "run"

Sweet girl 

Mom just couldn't get enough "Carter time" in . 

This is what Josh does at the outlets to pass the time while I feed Carter. Bless him.

Chiefy Beefy

Just hanging out. 

Buddies. T is way more obsessed with Beef than Beef is with her. Beef is obsessed with Carter. 

Play / exercise time

Sidewalk chalk. Josh convinced Tillman to do a little doodle on the tire of Tony and Danica's rental car. 

Real smart. 

The Apple Barn for breakfast. Apple everything. 

Good morning, PF. 

They even gave Carter her own apple julep. 

I got the easy job at the aquarium, walk around and take pictures. The guys got the kids. 

Dad and Tillman at the touch tank

Standing in a fish tank 

Reaching out to the octopus. 

I got a turn with Carter :) 

Lunch at Wendy's after the aquarium in Gatlinburg after avoiding the torrential downpour.

Mom got Carter a Virginia Tech bib while she was out shopping. Lovely :) 

No caption needed!! :) :) :) 

Big Dep & Little Dep with their favorite girls. 

Mom and T tackling early morning hair woes and picking out a ponytail holder. 

This is as much as she was allowed to "get in." 

Family picnic 

Dad and T sharing some yogurt.

Carter, doing her usual.

A little soccer after eating.

I love this one.

Mom and Tillman prepping sausage bundles for breakfast.

Dollywood, here we come!!

Tillman's first ride ever! I was a nervous wreck. This is a pretty big ride for the time ever. 

She was a champ, loved every minute of it, and got off wanting more. 

The ducks.

The bees. These were fun b/c they went high up in the air. 

The pigs. Pretty mediocre. 

The teacup. 

Dumbo. She wanted to stay high up the whole time. 

Her first official rollercoaster with Danica. I think they were in the orange car.

The pirate water ride. Tony and I were the smart ones here. We stayed dry. 

Tony teasing Mom, Tillman, and Danica after soaking/squirting them with water. 

Tillman's first words to me when she got off the boat, "We got soaked and wet!" 

Excitement before the bubble show.

T getting excited and popping a gazillion bubbles. 

Yes, those are all bubbles. It was a pretty cool show. 

Carter all dressed up for dinner, compliments of Tony and Danica. 

Big Dep and his little girls. 

T blowing kisses with Daddy at dinner.

The Knoxville Zoo.Here's my little monkey. 

This guy just got a fresh haircut. 

Sleeping Beauty.

Mom and Tillman rode a camel!!! 

Elephants. 

Lions.

Mom on "Carter duty." She loves it. 

I love this. Two little monkeys. 

Tillman's first carousel ride. She had 3 that day. 

Brushing the sheep's wool. 

Feeding some birds. I forget what type of birds they were, but they had a funny name. 

Josh attracted a few more. 

 This wraps up the major parts of our Pigeon Forge Franks Family Reunion Vacation 2013. (Wow, that's a long title.) We had a great time and loved being able to spend so much time together. It's always a good time when you get family together. Love you guys!!