Finally back!

We just got back from our vacation last night. We did a quick 3-day weekend trip up to Tennessee to meet my parents. It was wonderful! We got to stay in a three storey log cabin (and for my kids, who live in a house without stairs, this was a little slice of Heaven! I got to hear over and over again how BIG the house was and how it was JUST like a castle and wouldn't it be nice if we could LIVE here?)

And what did we do on our vacation?


Yes, we went to Dollywood.

Now, I will admit that I had this... preconceived notion... of what it would be like and what sorts of people would come to a place like this.

I was wrong.

It was really a great place to take the entire family! I was totally surprised! (let this be a reminder to you, Ouiz, not to judge...)

There were great rides for the kids:



Even the little ones:


And craftsmen to watch:


(and that, my friends, counts as a homeschooling field trip!)


And to top it all off, I asked all four adults present, and not ONE of us (a) heard a swear word the entire time nor did we (b) see an offensive t-shirt. (let's thank the Lord for small miracles right there!)

I'm thankful that my parents suggested this trip, and that we were able to give the kids their first opportunity to go to an amusement park. We have never done anything like this before, and with me expecting #7 in just a few months, I knew that it would be at least another two years before we a trip like this would be possible again... and by that time my oldest, Sean, would be practically a teenager, and beyond the fun "little kid" rides.