Hickory and Tweetsie Fun

My kids really look forward to going to Hickory every summer because they get to hang out with their grandparents, they get to visit cool places like Defy Gravity, AND they get to go to Tweetsie Railroad! But this year there was something extra special to celebrate on our annual trip to my hometown...Alli's growing baby boy!

First, we got out some energy after the long road trip with lots of jumping...

And then we had dinner with Dad, Heather, and Debbie followed by presents and cheesecake! Alli didn't want a traditional shower of course, but we tried to make her and baby feel loved in a way that was more her style. The kids each gave her one of their favorite books, and she got some other neat items for the nursery.

The next morning, we were up bright and early because the early bird gets the worm at Tweetsie!

This year, we opted to ride the big train first because as you know, Luke is REALLY into trains.

But you forget that the show is a little scary for the smaller kids, plus the coal pieces fly back into the train cars and get into your eyes. Luke did not either one of these things! He was ready to get off that train.

Quite concerned here...

but fascinated by the train once he was safely off of it. :)

Of course, the girls high-tailed it to the Tilt-a-Whirl...perhaps the best amusement ride of all time. In proper Tweetsie fashion, the girls did this ride at least five times in a row. Because there are no lines here! I'm telling you forget Carowinds and Busch Gardens...

While Collins and Addie were spinning with dizzying speed, Luke slowed things down a bit...

and then it was time for the fastest Ferris Wheel on the East Coast! Collins and I got to ride together, and I was instructed to NOT ROCK THE CART. My child is a rule follower, but I did a little rocking. :)

Brian and Addie were directly across from us...also getting some good mountain views.

Yes- here we are on the Tilt-a-Whirl AGAIN. I'm telling you, the girls are obsessed with this ride.

Finally, we convinced them to move onto the cars where Addie proved that she's not quite ready for a driver's license...

Then we were up the chair lift to the top of the mountain because this little boy was anxious to ride the Mouse Train...precious thing.

Poor pregnant Al...the chair lift and the train were about the only things she could ride. 😐

The Mouse Train did not disappoint so we had to ride it several times. That cheese song and the way the cave makes your clothes glow is just the best.

The girls were thrilled to do some gem mining...

 and then scramble their brains on the Scrambler. They have no fear I'm telling you!

Again, the Emus were more Luke's speed...

and these fighting kids. He could relate. :)

Our final Tweetsie time was spent in the "teenager" section because Collins really wants to be one. So while the boys got a good view of the train...

the girls did this. Turns out the Tilt-a-Whirl has some stiff competition for best ride at Tweetsie. The Tornado Twister was so much fun.

And last but not least was the dreaded Round Up. Last year, Collins declared this scary ride her favorite. And since Natalie couldn't come this year, guess who got to ride it the first time with Collins? Gulp. I don't like being spun perpendicular to the ground...

and neither does my Mom, but we did it for Collins. And then this crazy girl insisted on riding it two more times alone, and we let her do it because we could not spin any more.

Every year, I worry that Tweetsie probably won't be as much fun this time. The weather won't be as nice, the kids won't think it's that cool, or that it will be really crowded. But this never happens! We LOVE this park, and I hope we never stop going. We can keep this summer tradition going until they are adults, right? :)

Because it was close to Addie's half birthday, we stopped for ice cream at Kilwins on the way back...

It was GOOD.

Back in Hickory, it was time to celebrate Al and baby-to-be at Baba's house. More sweet books for the baby...

My favorite moment of the shower is when Lynn read one of the books to Luke. She has this mesmerizing voice, and he was stopped in his tracks when she read to him. It was so sweet to watch them connect through a book.

Luke's favorite part of the shower was playing with Charlie, of course. Each time he goes over to Baba's house he gets braver with the cat.

This time there was some grooming involved. :)

The next day there was more Hickory fun in store...

It was a busy and special weekend in Hickory. Loved that we were able to fit in two showers, a trip to Tweetsie, and fun summer activities into one family weekend!