We had a great time in the snow.  But when you can’t feel your toes, you know it’s time to move on to something warmer.  Cold, tired, and hungry we made it back to our rooms.  We began our quest for a restaurant open on Christmas day. 

 While I searched the phone book, Jason turned on the hot tub for Tyler & Abbey.  Zack thought that was the funniest thing.  He kept running back and forth from the living room to the bathroom.  He threw all his cars in there and giggled as the bubbles covered them.  Many minutes later the kids got out and we headed to TGIF, the only place open on Christmas! 

Our waiter was the best!  He brought out a printout of every ingredient in every food.  He stood beside me helping me find something for Abbey.  Amazing!  We were so thrilled to have someone like him to wait on us!  And, yes, I emailed the company to applaud him for his great job!  When we were all full and ready to relax, we went back to our rooms. 

We changed into our swimming suits, grabbed towels, and headed to the indoor heated pool and water slides!  We went from snow to water in one day!  Abbey and I went down the slide.  When she came out she bawled!  She didn’t know it would be dark.  That was it for the slides.  Tyler wouldn’t even try!  We swam until we were shriveled like prunes. 

It was late by the time we rode the elevator to our room.  Sleep came quick for all of us.  We knew the next day would be filled with much more.

After breakfast we got dressed and drove through the mountains for a few hours.  We drove on some trails.  There we saw so many deer, turkeys , and old churches.  When the trail ended we went to downtown Gatlinburg for some shopping.  Zack slept most of the time.  Tyler and abbey oohed and aahhed at the shops lining the streets.  We took a quick break to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp.  Again, an amazing waiter. He came right out and told us the only thing she could have.  After eating we walked the streets some more.  On the way back to the Explorer we stopped at the Aquarium.  Zack loved it!  He kept saying, “Pish, Mama,  Pish!”  Abbey was scared when we walked under the sharks.  It was a little strange being under them, but amazing creatures to look at.  Tyler wasn’t too interested. 

We said goodbye to Gatlinburg for many months.  The Williams family definitely made many memories this Christmas!  I was glad we had our one “Special Christmas”.

Now that my Christmas post are over…. I can NOT wait to show y’all my bathroom remodel!