A "Beary" Scary Story

Last week at this time, we were enjoying this view...

from this sweet little cabin in Gatlinburg...

We went for our annual Fall Break Trip to Gatlinburg with our good friends, the Mayers. It was a wonderful trip! I only wish it had been a little cooler, but that goes right along with the weather we have been having. Even though we did lots of relaxing, we also took in a few sights.

Me and my two precious sweeties enjoying our time off from school.

Randy and Caitlin played a game of checkers on the streets of Gatlinburg. Guess who won?!?

We also went go-kart racing. Harrison had never been before, so he was a little scared at first. But after a few laps, he was yelling along with the rest of us to "Go Faster!"

Caitlin was a pro and enjoyed every minute of the 3-story track!

Our Family Portrait outside our cabin
This was right before we made our way to Ober Gatlinburg.

Harrison and Randy rode the carousel over and over and over!!

The girls (Delaney, Caitlin, and Annie) showed off their ice-skating skills.

We then made our way to the restaurant where they were celebrating Octoberfest. We feasted on traditional German fare of schnitzel and cabbage and were treated to the sounds of a German band.

The kids participated in a polka conga line while the band played.
On the third day, we walked around downtown Gatlinburg and took very touristy pictures.

Three Sweet Girls minus a scared little boy. This fall display was in front of Ripley's Haunted Adventure where a creepy man was looking down on the street. Harrison was not about to sit underneath that scary man!!

Caitlin also lost a tooth while we were up in the mountains. Thankfully the Tooth Fairy found us and left her some money!

We went to a candy store while up in Gatlinburg and let the kids pick whatever they wanted. Harrison picked out the biggest cotton candy I have ever seen!!

We had to cross this little bridge to get back to our car, so Annie and Harrison wanted their picture made on it.

Now here is where the story gets "Beary Scary"!!!
The second night we were in the mountains, a raccoon snuck into our cabin and walked around for a little bit until the 2 Daddies chased him out with a broom. Well on our last night, Randy and I were awakened by a loud knock on our bedroom door saying, "Randy. Beth. There are bears out here!" I immediately thought they were inside our cabin and FrEaKeD out!! Luckily they were just on our deck.

I immediately grabbed the camera and started snapping pictures. When I realized how awful the flash was making them look, I asked very nicely to open a window to take pictures. But I got yelled at for even thinking of trying to take a better picture!! Imagine that!
This was one of the bear cubs standing on the hot tub. His brother and mother were around the corner doing this...

tearing into our trash box!!! We ended up watching them for a good 30 minutes as they drank out of the hot tub, climbed up and down trees, and fought over different pieces of trash. It was very educational, but a little scary to think that they could probably get into our cabin if they really, really wanted to!
So all in all, we had a great time in Gatlinburg and can't wait to go back next year!