This baseball tournament might just be my favorite to date. The trip. TN. The way Luke played ball so confidently. The laughs. Our baseball family. ALL of it was just the best.
We drove straight to Pigeon Forge but we made one very important stop. We were able to stop in Dayton, OH to visit with Rose and her kids! We walked to he favorite grocery store, and came back and ate pizza and salad and just got to hang for a bit.
Rosie, Ben and I all worked together for WMU's orientation program. Ben and Rose were SOCs together and they hired me as an orientation leader. Rose was also my roommate at Western my final year. We love her so much!
Our first ever stop at Buc-ee's and it was a hit!
Crossed the border into TN!
The first night we booked on our way down because we weren't quite sure how to the ride would go , if we would really make it in a day or not. The one night hotel (The Ramsey) was on the Pigeon Forge main street had a fun pool and a great breakfast the next morning.
We woke up excited to check out the fields that would Luke would play on later in the week. They were beautiful, with the Smoky Mountains in the background! Favorite park yet! The Ripken Experience, Pigeon Forge has my highest recommendation!!
It was a rainy afternoon but like we say, there is no bad weather- just poor clothing choices. SO off we went to tour and explore downtown Gatlinburg. I didn't realize that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is only like 15 minutes away from each other.
First, we rode the chairlifts to go on the Skybridge!
The Skybridge is a suspension bridge and has a plexiglass section that makes it fun. The views are the best part! I will say, while we were on it we loved it. However, once we explored the mountains, parks, waterfalls, etc. we could have totally skipped this and not missed a thing.
Gatlinburg is down below us...
Headed back down...
Walking around Gatlinburg and the sun came out.
Just before it started raining again, we enjoyed lunch at Blake Shelton's Reds.
Look who we met there!
The cutest little place to shop.
After a fun day we drove to our Airbnb and there was a snafu with the owner. So, Airbnb put us up in a place of our choice on them for the night! We chose a cool, trendy, retro, all redone motel (Called The Wayback by Marriott) on the Pigeon Forge strip and because we have 5 people, they got us 2 adjoining rooms! It was the best! Kids in one room, Ben and I had the other to ourselves!
That night we decided to checkout the Pigeon Forge strip because of our surprise motel night!
First up, let's ride a mountain coaster at the Lost Mine!
The first time was kind of a bust because this sweet gal in front of our carts kept braking so we talked to the workers and they gave us a 2nd ride. IT was so fun!! You each ride on your own cart and you are in control of your own speed. We flew down the mountain!
Then we played their mini gold course and shut the place down! I think we ended our game just after midnight.
Drew's hole in one!
Ben's hole in one!
Closing down the shop!
The next day we hiked to Grotto Falls! We brought our suits and goggles thinking we could swim in the water hole. Oh my goodness, the Falls were roaring with all the rain they had gotten!! There was no way you could even get close to going in but it sure was beautiful and mighty.
Hiking back through the park to the van.
We got into our Airbnb and it was worth the wait!!
There were 3 floors in our cabin nestled into the Smoky Mountains and on the 2nd deck a hot tub!
Sunset in the mountains while in a hot tub- Amazing!!
Lots of pool was played!
We were on the fence about going ziplining but I am SO glad we decided to go! Honestly, this might have been my favorite thing as a family we did on our trip or maybe for the 2024 year! Highly, highly recommend!
Elle feeling it...Let's go!
As we were getting an overview on what to do and then getting on our equipment, I honestly started crying with nerves. I looked at our instructors who were all fearless college students who love all things mountain climbing, and said, " Please promise me my babies will be OK doing this." She reassured me and I gulped and thought OK, here we go.
We did a 2-hour guided tour, with 4 sky bridges, with a total of 6 side-by-side ziplines and the longest run being a 1/4 of a mile over the mountains!
And off we went!!
Elle and Drew had to do a few of the lines in tandem together because of their light weight. If they went by themselves, they wouldn't have gotten to the other side and would get stuck out in the middle of the rope and would have to have help getting across. Yikes!
We each repelled down off the course. Here goes Drew!
By the end Elle crossed her last zipline completely upside down and I went laying flat on my back. We were such risk-takers, trying something completely new, and having the courage to trust and just go for it. LOVED IT!!!
This really put the Skybridge in perspective and we all agree, Ziplining is the best way to see and experience the mountains.
SO proud of my family!
Let the games begin! Opening ceremonies:
Drew and James cheering on our team for opening ceremony.
Out to eat for some classic southern food at the Old Mill. So yummy!
Boys met up for swimming at one of the hotels.
We moved into our Pigeon Forge hotel for the rest of the week to be close to the ballpark.
Swimming at the pool!
Let's go, Elite!!
We just stole a base!
Katie, Elle, and Theresa making and selling their bracelets.
Drew and James running after all foul balls.
Luke played catcher every game at least more than half of the innings! He did so awesome especially in the TN summer heat!! SO proud of you, Lukey!
Little bros playing catch. Drew, James, and Adam.
More bracelets!
Dad is so proud of you big guy. 💕
After an early schedule one morning, we spent the rest of the afternoon at Dollywood's waterpark!
Luke, Noah, John, Embry, Emmett, Chase, and Kaiden.
Katie, Theresa, and Elle.
The boys.
Emmett, John, and Luke.
James and Drew.
Luke, Noah, Chase, Kaiden, and John.
The wavepool.
All lined up in the lazy river.
There is a practice field for fun in the middle of the park that anyone can play on. We played lots of wiffle ball on it!
Let's GO, 24!!
Cheering on Elite!
I love you so much, Luke. So proud of you!
Fun at the big house with friends!
We had to leave TN early before the tournament was over. Ben had Raptors tryouts for his team and this was scheduled as an entire program and he just couldn't miss. We also had Elle's birthday party and end of the year Raptor party to get home to. Of course, we made sure Luke could stay to finish out the tournament and get a ride home with Chase and Coach Allen.
On our way home, another stop at Bucc-ees!
Back in TN...Luke still living his best life!
Luke was able to stay in the big house with the Allens, Kendalls, Nelsons, and Scollins. SO grateful!
The 5 boys' stuff lined up and ready to go for tomorrow's game!
Luke's team placed 3rd out of 16 teams, losing in the semi championship against the Texas Ducks. So awesome!!
Thank you to my Mom friends for sending me all these pics and clips of Luke! I need to get Luke's stats of the tourney and our team's ranking still but for now a highlight was Luke hitting his first ever true triple! No errors on defense but a rip out all the way to the fence!! Luke slid into 3rd and then stole home on the next pitch. LET'S GO, BIG LUUUUUKE!! (see pics above and below)
This was our head coach's last game/tournament for our boys. Luke started this team under Zach's leadership in 4th grade. Here we are with Luke entering 9th and it's been a ride. We are grateful for Zach believing in Luke, giving him a chance on his first travel team, and the development he provided Luke over the years. Elite will continue as Elite but with a new head coach and with some boys/families leaving and picking up new players.
We will look back on this team with full hearts. We love you, Elite family.
Back Row: Coach Zach Hart, Emmett, Luke, Derek, John, Coach Jason Kendall, Jake, Mason, Chase, Coach Ryan Allen
Front Row: ESPeN, Aiden, Noah, KK (Kaiden), & Embry
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