The Real Smokey Mountains

The kiddos stayed with the grandparents

while Mommy and Daddy slipped away for a 

weekend get-a-way!

Have you ever seen the Great Smokey Mountains? 

Well, I have many times.  But this is the first time I have ever seen and understood the reference.  

The mountains looked smokey!  We could see the smoke coming right off the mountains.  

It was magical!

We stopped in the snow for a quick picture!

It was beautiful, wet snow and it fell so quickly!

Since we were so close to the Christmas Shoppe, 

I ordered our Christmas ornament for last year (um, a little late!). 

After choosing my ornament, 

the calligrapher wrote our names right there in person!

I am jealous of his talent.

Later, back at the hotel, we shared a pizza. 

This is a family tradition - to always order a pizza when out-of-town!

And of course, 

we had to get our Ol' Timey Photos! 

Daddy was a good lookin' cowboy!

He tried his best lines on the lady at the bar... 

um, momma... with her fan and fancy dress. 

But I'd say he won her over in the end...

We always visit our favorite store, 

the beef jerky outlet!

Ok, so maybe we are a little goofy, 

but its an entire store of beef jerky!

Its fabulous!

Before leaving town, 

we visited the Apple Barn for lunch. 

Not only is this one of the best places to get a home-cooked meal, 

but they make the best apple fritters and apple pies ever!

A quick one-night stay, and it was time to for 

home-sweet-home!