Werts family vacation conclusion

After those fun and hot days on the go, we were ready for a day of just relaxing and hanging out together, so we did Addison's favorite things: swam in the pool all afternoon and then went to the Dixie Stampede! Mama was especially grateful for the not standing in the heat all day kind of fun, even though wearing the maternity bathing suit was not on the top of my list either, it wasn't so bad and we had a lot of fun and stayed cool in the pool. (I didn't get any pictures, so don't worry about having to experience that!)

She was so intrigued at the Dixie Stampede, she barely even ate. Her eyes were glued to the arena and she enjoyed every minute of the show. After we got home, she got on her rolling horse and rode around with her flag, it was so cute. I was wondering how long it would take her to try some of the tricks that the riders did...not long, but thankfully I was able to talk her out of it (surprisingly).

Yummy frozen orange sherbert drink

She finally just took over the drink

With her Dixie Stampede flag

Petting the horses

Werts family vacation part 2

Day 3 was Ober Gatlinburg. I don't remember ever going here before and I didn't realize they had so many things to do in the summer. I thought it was just a ski resort. We rode the 150 passenger aerial tramway up to the top of the mountain, where we found lots of fun things to do. We bought the day activity bracelet and could do all the things as many times as we wanted. It was a lot of fun! Here's some pictures of us enjoying ourselves!

She loves a carousel!

They had a live animal exhibit with bears, otters, squirrels, snakes, etc. We didn't get any pictures of the live ones, but here's Addison with the nice bear statue.

Of all the fun things, she surprisingly liked the playground the best. She is pretty easily entertained. Here she is climbing the rope net up to the top, where the nice man helped her get up to the platform. What a big girl!

  

Crossing the rope net bridge

At the top!

Slide to the bottom

Riding the green horse

Sliding to the balls

She also liked the train, especially when she got to sit in the engine car and ring the bell!

Riding the chair lift up the mountain

Riding the Alpine Slide down the mountain - what fun!

We rode the chairlift to the very top of the mountain, where we had a beautiful view of the Smokies while being serenaded by this band. It was at least 10 degrees cooler up here and shady so it was a great spot for Addison to take a nap.

 

Snoozing

First waterslide! She said she liked it, but didn't want to do it again!

The next two waterslides were VERY fast and high. She liked them and did them more than once.

 

Then we played putt-putt



Werts family vacation part 1

We spent a few days in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN for our vacation this summer and had a blast. We visited Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg, and the Dixie Stampede. The highlight for Addison was the Dixie Stampede, followed closely by swimming in the resort pool, which she did every day while we were there. That girl LOVES to swim and would have been content just doing that all day every day!

We went to the pool and playground when we first got there at Laurel Crest resort, where we stayed. The next day was Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg and Big Daddy's Pizzeria, with a night trip to the pool again.

I believe this is her first time on the monkey bars

Climbing the wall like a pro...even in flip flops (which Daddy frowns upon as a P.E. teacher)

Trapeze girl!

Swimming with Daddy...and no, that's not a white tshirt he's wearing...it's his farmer's tanned skin!

Timidly approaching the shark at Ripley's

Big fish

Very tentatively touching a horseshoe crab

Looking at all the Nemos and Doreys

Getting tired

Exploring the play area

The penguins seemed to be very attracted to her through the glass

Bubba Gump shrimp

Finally gave in to nap time

Driving the fire truck

Posing with the fireman bears. We didn't get to play putt-putt here because an afternoon shower flooded the course. She wanted to take a picture th them anyway. What a cutie.

Big Daddy's Pizzeria

Getting ready for some yummy brick oven pizza!

Playing in the arcade. The wind up...

The throw!

More vacation fun to come in the next posts...