Mountain Coaster and Fun With Friends

This year we decided to try a new mountain coaster.  We called and found out the opening time for Goats on the Roof and all met up to try it out.  The kids were pretty excited and thought the goats on the roof were pretty neat. 

After sitting and waiting for the coaster to open (in the freezing cold) about 45 minutes past the time they were supposed to open we decided to go down the road to our usual spot.  Apparently the Goats on the Roof coaster was having maintenance issues...a good sign to leave.

The kids did great with the wait.  They pretty much entertained themselves and enjoyed looking in the gift shop.

Thankfully there was no line no waiting since we have a pretty big group.  B was tall enough to ride by herself this year but she decided she wanted to ride one more time with her daddy.

Coming down the mountain.

One advantage to this coaster is the fabulous bakery right across the street.   

Getting our cupcake fix over.  We took lots back to the cabin and believe me they didn't last long! They are the best in Pigeon Forge! 

Then we rode out the road to check out the Davenport-Pike cabin.  The kids played pool, air hockey, and ran around.

After we left the Davenports we went to the Island to look around and have late lunch early dinner. 

Watching the dancing fountains.

One of Baylie's favorite stores... Beanie Boo Heaven.

Then it was time for dinner...Paula Deen's.  This time we did call ahead seating.

Hey Y'all!! The gift shop was nice and lots to see!

B even found Paula!

We ran into the other members of our group and we all agreed later that it was way too much food.  We were all stuffed. 

After leaving Paula Deen's we needed to walk around a little more.  

We returned to the cabin to play ping-pong and walk around.

Nature walk...

Oh no an outhouse!

We had already decided we would do S'mores that night.  Everyone from the group came to our cabin area fire pit.  John got a big fire going and we enjoyed sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows.  

Yummy!

A Smokin' S'more! 

The kids always enjoy this because once they eat their S'mores they have a blast playing.  Since we did the Mountain Coaster earlier that day we were able to come back some time during that same day and ride again for half price.  We thought it would be fun to ride at night.  

The coaster was all lit up with lights.  Someone was joking about the mountain lions being out at night which even though they were joking it still seemed a little creepy. 

It got pretty cold on top of the mountain at night time.  We were all bundled up. 

We had such a fun filled day with family and friends.  This is why the mountains is one of our favorite family traditions! 

Three Bears and The Bush Plant

Monday morning we got up, had breakfast and headed out for a day full of fun.  First stop was the doll clothing store that B saw advertised in one of the catalogs.  They showed a place with lots of clothes made for American Girl dolls so she couldn't wait to check it out.  They certainly did have lots of outfits to pick from so it took her a while to decide what to buy.  They weren't quite as pricey as AG clothing but not too far from it.  B was excited that she walked away with 2 new outfits and 2 pairs of shoes for her dolls.  She found many other things so I am sure we will be back here next time. 

After that we headed to the Three Bears gift shop.  This place has a little bit of everything and it is one of Baylie's favorite places to shop!  John loves to sample all the food they have.  It wouldn't be a trip to the mountains without a stop in here!

All decorated for Christmas.

The traditional Bear photo!

She discovered the penny machine.  

Then we headed about 30-40 minutes down the road to the Bush's plant and factory tour.  This was the first time John, Baylie and I had been to the Bush plant.  My parents went several years ago.  

The best part about it is everything is free!  Yes free even the souvenir photos!!  After watching a short 20 minute video in the theater it was time to explore.

  Mimi and Baylie working on the scavenger hunt clues.  

Inside the biggest can of beans. 

Cranking the wheel to harvest the beans. 

Of course we saw Duke.  B even got a Duke animal clip for her backpack. 

The big can of beans that we were inside of.  

It was very interactive with lots to see and do.

You could also weigh yourself to see how much you weigh in beans that is. 

There was also a coloring station.  

Where is Duke??? Is he out selling the secret family recipe?? 

Learning about the canning process.

Checking out the old time cash register. 

Photo Place...Say "Beans"

Our FREE souvenir photos!

On the way to the gift shop they have the Secret Family Recipe book guarded by laser beams.  

And we even got so see a pig fly!

B completed her scavenger hunt, turned in her clues and got a prize/certificate.  It was lots of fun.  Next was the gift shop...the only part of the tour that wasn't free.  John enjoyed picking out different bean flavors that aren't sold in stores.

B spotted another penny press and they even give you bright shiny pennies to use! 

After shopping in the gift shop and Bean store we had some photo op fun!

A picture of the Bush plant across the street from the Visitor Center. 

On the way back to town, we saw the Forbidden Caverns so we went inside to check it out.  We came to the consensus that we would pass because it would take too long to see everything since it was well past lunch time and we were all getting hungry.  Maybe on another trip.

As we were riding back into Pigeon Forge we saw a little church.  It was called Walnut Grove Baptist church!  Since Little House on the Prairie is mine and B's favorite show we had to stop to take a picture!  

We thought we would go check out Paula Dean's new restaurant for a late late lunch and early dinner.  We thought it wouldn't be too crowded because it was 3:00..not so much.  There was a 2 hour wait so I don't even need to tell you what my dad and John said to that... NO WAY.  We did learn you could call ahead so we could come back another day.  

We went to Johnny Carino's since my parents always like it and we have never been there.  The Cruce's weren't too impressed with it so that may just have to stay their special place!  We did see a Gigi's cupcake place in the same shopping plaza and since we had a coupon we decided to go grab some dessert to take home.  They were OK but we all decided Bakin' Bishop's are the best cupcakes in that town.

After a long fun day B was excited to be home to relax on the couch with her dolls.  It was movie night and we were watching her new movie Inside Out.

Doesn't get any better than this!