Abbey had a rough Christmas Eve.  She was up off and on all night.  Santa had a hard time catching her asleep.  In the wee hours of Christmas morning Santa made his way to us.  Tyler and Abbey kept asking us how he’d know where we were.  Jason and I assured them he’d find us.  And sure enough, he did.

I woke up about seven.  I started coffee and waited for the kids to begin stirring.  It wasn’t long before the smell of coffee had everyone moving about.  We always make them wait for each other to see what Santa brought.  Almost knocking us down, they tore through the living room door.  Zack was confused.  He kept looking at all the toys.  Tyler and Abbey finally helped him get his new stuffed pig off the couch.  He was ready to tear through the pile of toys.  This year Santa new we’d be traveling so he gave them a few toys and money. 

After breakfast and a little time to play with the new toys, we all got ready for a day of fun in the snow!  We pulled on thermal underwear, thermal socks, gloves, and toboggans  that Santa left because he’s smart that way.  When we were finally adorned with our snow boots we headed out.  We drove a few miles and noticed Ober Gatlinburg was open!  We had planned on doing that later on, but were excited to find it open on Christmas day!

We were all anxious to ice skate.  Tyler and Abbey had been talking about it for weeks.  Ice skates were handed out and I began the task of lacing and tying them up.  Even Zack had his own little skates.  After a few wobbly steps we made it to the rinks entrance.  Tyler and Abbey were gone.  Abbey skating like she knew exactly what to do and Tyler holding on with all he had to the rails.  Jason took the video camera while I headed to the ice with Zack.  I put him down and he immediately hit the ground.  Not hard, but enough to make him want to stay on the  regular floor.  I had such a hard time on my skates.  I couldn’t even bend over to pick him up!  A sweet lady bent over to help me and carried him to Jason, who was enjoying every minute of my balance act!  Ice skates are not easy!  Tiny little blades on thin sheets of ice… Jason handed the camera and Zack to me, then headed off to catch up with Tyler and Abbey.  They made a few rounds.  Giggling and waving every time they passed me and Zack.  After a few minutes Jason took over Zack and I headed out after the kids.  Tyler was still holding on while Abbey ventured farther out into the middle.  I’m telling y’all with a few lessons, I think she could really be good. 

Many hours later we were all worn out.  We decided to drive farther into the mountains in search of more snow.  We found it!  Bundled up and ready to play, the kids jumped out of the Explorer.  Zack didn’t care for the snow either.  His shoes kept sticking to the snow.  He couldn’t get where he wanted to.  We made a small snowman.  We had snowball fights.  They made snow angels.  Then we were all ready to warm up in the Explorer.  We headed back to our hotel to rest before we made more Christmas memories.

I still can’t get my pictures on here!  I guess y’all will get a day of all pictures!

Part III soon!