We're Back!!!!

We're back! And 0h what a wonderful Easter & Birthday trip it was!

It started off at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina.

The resort hosted an "Easter Extravaganza Weekend"...which included two concerts. On Friday night, Newsong Contemporary Christian Group performed. They were amazing!!!

(This is Chelsi with Mark Shultz (top left photo) and with Matt from Newsong(bottom left)

Then on Saturday night Mark Shultz (Contemporary Christian Artist) gave a command performance! Oh my! Words cannot express how amazing this man's voice is....and his heart for God!

I love~ love ~love~ his music!

What a blessing both concerts were! Also the MC for both evenings was Christian Comedian, Jeff Allen.

He was quite funny and had such an amazing testimony!

Now...on to the resort itself!

Oh my!!!

We had a wonderful Breakfast Buffet each morning! I had the most amazing omelet....Feta cheese, sun dried tomatoes and bacon! ummmmm! IT was scrumptious!

( Pictures from inside the resort....starting top left and continuing clockwise: Seafood dinner buffet, View from inside one of the Great Hall windows (chuck and Chelsi in the forefront); Chelsi standing in front of the amazing Spa and the beautiful 3 story waterfalls outside...also she is in the tunnel walkway..it was so beautiful; and lastly...Mommy and daughter in front of one of the peaceful little waterfalls located along the tunnel walk.)

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Friday evening, the resort offered a glamorous seafood buffet.... and Saturday evening, they presented a prime rib buffet. Let me just say that we were not hungry for one second at this resort! hee-hee!

Chelsi and Chuck swam on Friday and Saturday in the resort's sports complex. The water was so warm and comfortable! They had such a fun time!

The resort was so beautiful....such rich history and gorgeous views! I took about 275 pictures from Thursday through Sunday!

There were tunnels that lead from one wing to the other...through the spa....and in the walls of the tunnels were these beautiful geodes! On my, they were breath-taking!

(There were gorgeous Easter Lilies everywhere, and beautiful Easter baskets full of Spring bouquets)..I had fun taking pictures with my new camera! ;)

We really didn't want to leave this amazing resort! We are definitely going back! They have already scheduled the Easter event for next year as well!
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Then, on Sunday, we drove to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and stayed through Tuesday, which was Chelsi's 12th birthday! I honestly cannot believe our baby girl is TWELVE years old!

It seems like yesterday that I was lying in bed at 11:37pm... and felt a "pop" ....my water had broken...and a short 6 hours later, at 5:56am, our precious little girl was born! We were so in love with her ....and still are!

She is the joy of our lives!

Our GIFT from God!

So on Sunday, we ate dinner at Calhoun's in Gatlinburg....It is one of our favorite restaurants! Chuck had a full rack of ribs, I had a Filet Mignon and fried green tomatoes (yum!) and Chelsi had Chicken and fries!

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On Monday, we awoke to snowflakes falling! It was so pretty but chilly!

We ventured out and visited this really cute interactive museum called "Wonderworks" in Pigeon Forge.

Inside there are so many exhibits to interact with and learn from! Very neat!

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Then we drove into Gatlinburg and went through the Guiness Book of World Records Museum.

It was interesting as well.

Our last day (CHELSI'S Birthday) was spent shopping ...shopping...shopping!!!

Our first stop was Colour Bar and Spa.

Chelsi wears Bare Minerals Make-up.

Last year, on her b-day, we visited this boutique and the manager was so nice!

She gave Chelsi a facial and showed her everything about Bare Minerals and got us all set up in a kit just right for Chelsi!

So, this year we had to go back and see all of the new products. Chelsi had a list of things that she wanted but once we were inside browsing...she found some "Just released" items that she just "had to have"!

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We had lunch at her favorite restaurant ....again...Calhoun's...this time we ate at the Pigeon Forge location! yum!

Then, after lunch....... more shopping!

There are so many great outlet mall in pigeon forge....and we shopped till we dropped!

Chelsi found some converse tennis shoes, 'Reef ' flip flops, a purse, perfume and lots of clothes and a couple of swim suits!

I spent an hour in the Coach outlet!

Oh what fun shopping is!!!

Woo-Hoo!

I am ready for Spring!

hee-hee!

It was a fabulous trip full of fun and family time!

Just the perfect Easter and Birthday celebration!

When we arrived at Mamaw and Papaw's house.....Papaw had a little surprise for Chelsi......one of her favorite pies...Lemon Meringue! ummm!

Rosie stayed with Mamaw and Papaw while we were gone...we sure did miss her!!!

She's our little fur muffin!

We have two parties planned for this week to celebrate her Birthday with our families! She is a smart girl...she spreads her birthday out over the course of at least a week...and loves every minute of celebrating! ;)

I sure have missed visiting everyone. I am anxious to catch up on all that has been happening with all of my sweet 'Blog Friends'!

It's good to get away...but it is so good to be home!!!

Hugs and Love,
Denise