The Plum Tea Room

Bev and I went to a place called The Wild Plum Tea room which is a little restaurant located in Gatlinburg that serves wonderful hot tea (a special tea they are known for) and great food! Bev had come here over 10 years ago with Beetsie and it was definitely a place for just us girls. 

Al was such a good sport to watch the kiddos while we went and had an adult tea party..twice. Yes, we liked the food so much that we went back again during our stay.

My new favorite tea. It can be served hot or cold. We had ours hot because I think we both wanted the fancy tea cups.

They had several wonderful desserts, however, our waitress had us at "brownie". It really doesn't take much.

Ripley's believe IT or NOT?

Another one of our favorite attractions was Ripley's believe it or not museum. A lot of interesting things to see and do. The ghost part of the exhibit didn't go over so well with Carter and Layla but they enjoyed the Dino exhibit and largest tire.

Carter and Layla sitting in the "world's biggest tire".

Transformer!

The two-headed animal displays were definitely creepy.

Either this is the world's largest man or Al is just really short. I'm thinking both.

T-Rex skull or one made to look like one rather.

Outside the museum taming the bear..haha! Layla was scared of the bear, so she opted out of the picture. Believe or not?

Dollywood!

Spent a whole day at Dollywood enjoying the rides and park! Lots of rides, popcorn, candle makin', and junk food to sum up the day but we all had a wonderful time! 

Picture time at the entrance at the park.

The 1950's car ride. I rode with Carter and Layla rode with Al. Nana waved us on from the side.

The train that took us through the park and around the mountain.

My sweet little bumble bees!

Al's favorite ride. I told him not to spin us so fast, but some of us learn the hard way in the bathroom after the ride.

I rode this by myself like a boss because the kids were to little, Bev told me I was nuts, and Al is afraid of heights.

Jurassic Boat Ride!

Carter insisted on going on this Jurassic boat ride in Pigeon Forge because he saw the dinosaurs outside and well, he absolutely loves dinosaurs. So we went and let's just say, he was not impressed but TERRIFIED!! 

We tried to warn him that it wasn't going to be super educational like he was expecting, but we all learn the hard way.

I don't know if it was the robots themselves or the noise that did then in. Layla was not impressed from the get go.

I thought the ride was rather humorous but I guess not everyone has my sense of humor.

I wish I had pictures of the kid's faces after the boat ride..poor things.

We then proceeded to what looked like an upside down house...

And well it was but it was also a huge jungle gym for older kids so we did not stay long. I seriously felt like Alice in Wonderland walking into this place.

Gatlinburg Aquarium

Took the kids to Gatlinburg for spring break and met up with Nana Bev. Our first day we went to the Gatlinburg Aquarium and had a blast. Here are some of the many pictures that I took of the sea life. I would love to post them all but that might take several blog entries.

Gotta love a family photo with that one family member picking their nose..yeah Layla totally earned that title today! Last time we here, Carter was 22 months and Layla was still in utero.

Nana Bev and the babies!

Giant turtle fossils? Anyways, this was right up Carter's ally seeing how his new career of choice is a paleontologist.

Looking above the shark tank. Would hate to fall in.

So sweet!

Our favorite part of the aquarium!

Looks like Carter is about to be taken out by a shark haha. What a fun day!

Zek's bday party!

Another one of Carter's best buds celebrated his sixth birthday party! Not too sure how Carter felt about skates, but he had a blast cheering his friends on from the outer ring aka: the carpeted area. 

Sweet birthday boy!

Carter's idea of skating is written all over face!

Layla was ready on the other hand.

Feeling better now that he is getting some cake!