The Ramthun Family: Mom and Dad's Trip to Tennessee

While Mom and Dad took a trip to Tennessee the kids stayed with the grandparents. This time Nolan got to stay at his house and Grandma Marjean stayed with him; Mabel and Landon stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Kruse's house for seven nights! The trip started on Sunday, March 20th, with a long 15+ hour drive to Pigeon Forge. The drive on Sunday didn't end well while listening to the Panthers blow their win and a chance at the Sweet Sixteen, but it was a fun drive otherwise. Mom and Dad stayed in a cabin outside of Pigeon Forge and did lots of fun things on their trip. Daddy went on a helicopter tour of the National Park, both spent the day at Dollywood and rode roller coasters, shopped, hiked and walked trails at the Smokey Mountains, enjoyed the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Theater, shopped, and relaxed! Just what Mommy and Daddy needed to come back home recharged for the kids! Landon was bummed that he didn't hear about more animal sightings, but they just weren't out at this time of year! The kids all had a blast with their grandparents and got to enjoy lots of attention! Mommy and Daddy left Pigeon Forge on Friday morning and stayed in Bloomington, IL before making the remainder of the trip home on Saturday morning!
Here are some pictures from the trip and then some pictures of the kids Mom and Dad received while away.

The view from the back of the cabin, off the deck!

Daddy out in front of the cabin!

Mommy in front of BIG Christmas tree at the Christmas store, lots of fun!

Daddy's view from the helicopter tour!

Another view from the helicopter!

Daddy inside the helicopter!

The middle picture is of Mommy and Daddy on one of the roller coasters. Daddy is wearing the teal shirt and Mommy is next to him, squeezing his arm. Mommy doesn't usually ride roller coasters!

Daddy riding another roller coaster, he is the one in the teal again waiving towards the back.

Dollywood sign, waiting for Daddy to get done riding the coaster.

Riding on an old steam engine around Dollywood!

Dressed and ready to go watch the Hatfield and McCoy show, it was very funny and good!

At our seats waiting for our food, there was lots of very good food!

Walked/Hiked to Laurel Falls in Smokey Mountain National Park. It was very pretty!

On the walk back down from the falls!

Some of the only wildlife we saw, white tailed deer in the snow!

Enjoying the mountain view!

A bear, can you see it? It is the black blob in there with all the branches!

Walked a trail to find some wildlife and didn't even see a bird!

Nolan got to spend a day with some of the Lantz family; Nolan and Great Aunt Ellen!

A picture of Mabel that Uncle Jon took on Sunday when Landon and Mabel babysat Uncle Jon, Aunt Emily and Braxton!

A picture of Landon, they called it his senior picture pose! Ok, maybe Jon and Emily babysat Landon Mabel while Grandma and Grandpa had to go to a musical in Des Moines!