Vacation To Anywhere

Tax time is coming, which means I will finally have a little "mad money" to spend on myself.  This is the last year my husband and I will file together, which means it's also the last year we will get a pretty sizable refund.  I have been thinking a lot about taking some of that money and taking a vacation.  I haven't been on a vacation in years, and now that I have a certain someone in my life, I think it would be nice to get away together for a weekend. 

If I could get more than a weekend off from work I would consider taking a cruise somewhere.  I have always wanted to take a cruise.  It wouldn't matter to me where the ship goes, either.  I would love to go somewhere warm or tropical, or somewhere cold and beautiful.  I would enjoy Cancun as much as patagonia tours.  I would also enjoy a weekend in the mountains.  Heck, I would enjoy a weekend locally in a fancy hotel with room service and an indoor pool.  And in room massages.  And cable television.  I miss television. 

I guess all I really want is a weekend where I can shut out the rest of the world and just enjoy the company of a good friend.  And relax.  I miss relaxing. 

I Need To Relax

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.
Let me ask you this question.  What would you do if you won a weekend stay at a hotel for you and 100 of your closest friends?

I am having a hard time answering this question, simply because I do not think there are 100 people in this world that I would want to spend the weekend with.  Sad, right?  It's just that I am a pretty shy person, and I don't have many friends.  I could, maybe, turn my weekend into a "let's meet our favorite bloggers" getaway, and invite all the friends I have made online, who I have never met in person.  I would, of course, invite the one person who I met through blogging that I have actually become "in real life" friends with, because she is totally awesome.

First thing, I have to enter the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes.  The Grand Prize is a weekend stay in a Hampton Hotel for me and 100 of my closest friends.  (notice how I said "me"...that's right...I am going to win)   I would also get $5000, to pay for the taxes on the rooms, which is kind of weird, because if you win something, it should be completely free, right?  There are also 100 first place prizes, which are weekend stays for four people.  This is probably more up my alley.  I always prefer intimate to overwhelming.

I should also mention that if you enter because you read about this here, and you don't have to have stayed in a Hampton Hotel or be a Hampton Honors member to enter, you must count me as one of your 100 friends.  We could hang out by the pool, enjoy room service, watch some movies, or whatever it is people do while they are relaxing.  Because that is what I intend to do.

Relax.

Okay.  You really don't have to take me if you win, but it would be nice.

Cades Cove

On our way back home on Sunday, my mom wanted to go through a park called Cades Cove.  They have this loop that you can drive, where there are historic buildings to walk through, and wild animals to be seen.  My mom had been twice before, and both times she saw a bear.  We were hoping to see one, too, and luckily, we were able to see two of them.  The first one, in the picture above, was pretty far away, but we saw it pretty well because it was big.  Actually, it was huge!  Brandi was a little scared it would come running towards us, but it didn't.  She even got out of the car for a better look!

The one in the picture below was a lot closer to us, which was pretty cool.  It was too busy eating to pay us any attention, and when I say us, I mean the twenty or so people who stopped on the side of the road to watch it eat. 

It was a pretty nice way to end a wonderful weekend!

Dollywood

Most of you know that I spent last weekend in Tennessee.  My sisters and I have been planning this trip for a few months.  It was a surprise for my mom's 60th birthday.  I can not even begin to tell you how much fun we had!  It wasn't just the things that we did, either.  It was just enjoying being with my sisters, who I hardly ever get to see, because one lives in NJ and the other in NY.  My mom's sister also came, which was a great surprise for my mom. 

On Friday, we headed to Dollywood.  I had never been before, and I was shocked at how expensive it was.  It cost over $100 for Brandi and I to get in.  I will admit, though, that it was worth it.  Brandi had so much fun riding the rides.  She had never been on a water ride (we did the one where you sit in the big round tire tube and get soaked!) or a ferris wheel (my aunt went on that with her...I have a fear of heights).  We were able to watch a bird show, where Brandi and Matthew (my nephew) almost got hit in the head as a hawk flew over them.  It was a long but fun day, and I got each of the kids a little souvenir.  I can't say that I will ever go back, but I am glad that I was able to experience it at least this one time.

***if you want to see all the pictures from this trip, check out my facebook page!

A Bunch Of Floosies

From left to right: me, Brandi, my sister Colleen (holding Lylah), my sister Tami (holding Jake), my sister Cheryl (holding Ashleigh) and my mom.  In front: my Aunt Cindy (mom's sister) and Matthew (my nephew).

Saturday morning, as we were walking around Gatlinburg, my mom spotted this place where they do these old timey pictures.  She decided that she wanted all of us to do a picture, and I had no choice but to go along with it.  I was stressing, because there was no way I was changing in front of everyone.  I know, they're family, but look at them.  All skinny.  They all wore these sexy, floosie outfits, and there I am in a long dress, off to the side.  Kind of how I spend my life.  But, it was for my mom, and since it was her birthday weekend, I sucked it up.  And it did come out pretty cute.

This Is Where We Are Staying

My sisters, my aunt and I rented this house for the weekend.  It's somewhere between Pigeon Forge and Gattlinburg.  I took a ton of pictures, but I have Ryan's laptop and I don't have the cord to upload them.  I took this picture off the internet, and the house looks exactly like it.  Today we are doing all the little shops, which should be fun.  Maybe.  I hate shopping.  Spending time with the girls is worth it, though.

Girl's Weekend Away

We made it to Tennessee! We're in Pigeon Forge. There were more surprises for my mom, and I will tell you about them soon.  For now, I am hanging out with my sisters (yes, I said sisters), my aunt, and my mom.  We have big plans for tomorrow...I am really excited.  I miss Junior, Ryan, and Kasi, but I am enjoying myself.

I will be posting pictures soon...

Peaceful

After such a long day, it was nice to finally sit back and enjoy the view for a little while.

Family

We spent yesterday in the mountains of North Carolina. We walked, we mined for gems, we ate a picnic lunch, and we enjoyed the beautiful weather! Nothing is better than spending time with the ones you love the most in the world.

Today we are off to celebrate Easter (a day early) with my mom, sister, and brother. I am looking forward to another day full of family!