Pigeon Forge, TN

After an exhausting two and a half day drive (some 2300 miles), we arrived at Big Sky Lodge in Pigeon Forge, TN. My oldest niece had beat us there and was waiting for us when we got there. Slowly, over the next few hours, the rest of the family trickled in. Including the Cedar Rapids contingent, whom we were all thrilled to see after worrying about them in the recent floods.

After a nice relaxing day on Monday, we celebrated Matt's 9th birthday early. He scored with Indiana Jones Legos, some huge water guns, and some scientific equipment. He then spent the next few days trying to ambush Uncle Jim with his water guns. Being so much bigger, Jim usually prevailed, especially after he purchased his own, much bigger, gun.

OnTuesday, a number of us headed off to go whitewater rafting on the Pigeon River with Wildwater Rafting. We opted for the trip on the lower river so that the two young boys (Brandon and Matthew) could join us. Since I opted to *not* take the camera on the raft, you'll just have to imaging how fabulous we all looked in our rafting vests with our paddles. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all and Matt was *thrilled* when our guide let him steer the raft and call the strokes. He let the power go to his head and the guide had to tell him that we did need a break from paddling now and then!

Coming up in future posts: Dollywood Splash Country, family photos, and hiking in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park!