The next day, we loaded up and headed to Cade's Cove, home to 19th century pioneer homesteads, farms, and churches! It's a one-lane road with incredible views of the Smokies and you can even catch glimpses of wildlife. Here we are before our big adventure!
Jude and those dreamy blue eyes!

Who pooted? Bahaa!

Grammie is ready!

Uncle Kurt is the fun one around here!

All saddled up and ready to go!

6 Brinkers + 26 years later = 20 people + 1 bun in the oven = The Perfect Family! And probably still counting!

No one was injured during this production. Do not try at home. Professional on closed course.

Gavin Dean! Sooo cute!

One of the views along the way!

The first stop is walking down the trail to John Oliver's cabin, built c. 1822!

We made it!


The mountains in the back would have been the Olivers' view from their house. Sooo gorgeous! I like the two additions to the view, though!

Next stop! The Baptist Church.

The girls! And oh, sweet Callie haha!

Them boys sleeping in church...tsk tsk tsk

Our first glimpse at wildlife! A doe, a deer!

Another view from Cade's Cove! Breathtaking! Especially with those people in the picture!

The Sharbonos!

The Pooles! (And I included all three photos of the fam because Andrew has the funniest faces in all three!)


See what I mean?? Hah!

We missed you, Jase! Wish you could have completed our family photo! Guess you're not gonna be on our Christmas card this year...

Haha! Just joking, Jase!

We looooove youuuuu!

The cutest couple award goes toooo........

Heading on down the trail, we let loose, got crazy, and took our seat belts off! Kate looooved riding shotgun!

And the kiddos got in the back of the truck with Grammie!

There was a lot of traffic backed up, so we pulled over to see what the fuss was about...

Bears!!!!!! Two black bears!!!!! One mama, and one cub!

Peek-a-boo! I can't believe we see you!!

After we stalked the bears for a bit, we headed down the Elijah Oliver trail. And stopped to smell the flowers of course.

Best friends.

Ready for the trail to the next cabin!

It was such a beautiful, peaceful walk through the woods on the way there. (A little different on the way back...!)

We made it!

Some checked out the cabin, others threw rocks to see who could get it in the drain...boyz. haha!

We headed back down the trail, and not 2 minutes later, I watched as Savannah tripped, crashed, and then had rocks embedded in her poor knee!! We all started running down the trail back to the car as Wade carried Savannah all the way back. Once we finally got loaded up, we asked where the nearest Urgent Care clinic was, and it was back in Pigeon Forge! An hour away! And the traffic was still backed up in Cade's Cove! And it was only one lane!! Aghhh!!!! But the Lord was totally in control, and we made it back to Pigeon Forge in time (several agonizing hours later). Savannah got two internal stitches and 7 outer stitches. It could have been so much worse, but we are so thankful the Lord protected Savannah. And now, she's good as new :)
So the girls looooove makeup, especially bright, glittery eyeshadow and bright pink lipstick. Here's our little divas!

Caught ya! Nice selfies :)

Twinsies!

Them babies loooooved those stairs!

Kurt brought his wireless bluetooth speakers, so of course we had to have a Frozen dance party! Let it goooooo, let it goooooo......

And of course, everyone had to have their makeup on!

Look at that face!!! The next Celine!

Dance parties in cabins in the mountains are the BEST!

So sweeet!


Best buddies!

Love how much they love each other!

Earlier that day, we visited the shops at Gatlinburg, ate at the Pancake House, and watched the taffy machine work at the Candy Shop! (I didn't get any pictures from the day, but Melissa did! Check them out here on
her blog!) Sadly, I had a headache for most of the day, and it wouldn't go away even after medicine and a nap. COME TO FIND OUT, the coffee made that morning was DECAF! Aghhhhh!!! Apparently, I'm hooked on caffeine (and have I cut down at all on my intake?...NOPE!) so dad make this sign the next morning...hardy har har. haha!

Grant in his little man pajamas!

Callie helping Aunt Mandy cook breakfast...she's got the hand on the hip and everything!

Ready for him's breakfast!

Love me some Brinker boys!

Sadie and brother. So sweet!

Sweet father and son! You and Mandy make some cute babies!!
We never wanted this trip to end...but the final post coming up soon!