Big Cedar Monday

The second day at Big Cedar was full of more adventures.  The kids and I started off the morning with nine holes of miniature golf and a walk.  Then we decided to enjoy the beautiful, warm weather with lunch on the patio of a cafe overlooking the lake.  After that we headed back to the cabin to get John.  We all took a trip into town to buy some steak and potatoes that John was going to cook for dinner that evening.  
We spent our afternoon on paddle boats, which were a lot harder than they looked.  We definitely got in quite the workout pedaling all around the cove.  Then Ella and I headed out on another hike.  There was a bridge and waterfall that we saw on our way out of the resort that I wanted to see more closely.  They were beautiful and we got some good pictures.  The kids then decided it was time for the pool.  With the warm weather and the heated water they said it felt great.  I sat out and enjoyed reading while listening to them laugh and play.  Then it was home for dinner on the deck and a movie.  Big Cedar has a dvd library and you can borrow movies for the night as part of your stay.  We enjoyed We are Marshall and called it a night.  

Ella and Sam on the miniature golf course. 

Our lunch view

My cute paddle boat partner! 

Enjoying a dip in the pool! 

Big Cedar Sunday

The first Sunday of Spring Break we went to church and spent some time with the Lowes.  Then it was time to hit up one of our favorite Springfield restaurants that has a new location for lunch.  Bambinos was a hit with all of us and after not having it for a few years tasted even better!  I love their new location because it is much more convenient.  We got our bellies full then headed for Branson.
We had never been to Big Cedar Lodge before and were excited to stay there.  The property is beautiful and I'm sure it is even more so now with everything blooming.  We rented a cabin for a few nights and were excited about our accommodations.  Well mostly excited, we had this stuffed raccoon hanging on the wall by our refrigerator that gave me the creeps!  The room was nice though and the back deck was great.  The kids loved the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom with all of its different settings and it even had colored lights.
After checking out the cabin and a short rest it was time to check out the rest of Big Cedar.  We took a beautiful walk around the property and explored for hours.  We even played a little sand volleyball.  We walked back to our cabin as the sun was setting and watched some of the basketball tournament to end the evening. 

Ella is happy to be here! 

Hanging out on the back deck. 

I love this bridge! 

The sun setting on the lake. 

bump, set, spike

Boys v Girls

More Splashing and Sliding

We headed down to White Water again, this time to hang out with the Lowes.  It was the last weekend before school started for Sarah and Caleb and the last weekend before Hannah headed down to college.  It is hard to believe that the summer has come to an end but we decided to make the best of our last week off of school.  The kids all had a good time at White Water.  It was a little more crowded than our last lucky visit but we still were able to do everything we wanted to do and enjoy time together.  
We stayed at the Lowes' house through Tuesday and were able to catch up on everything that had gone on since our last visit.  It was a good way to finish off our summer! 

The kids coming around in the lazy river!

The girls (thanks guy in the tube for photo bombing). 

Lunch together on Monday! 

Hole in One!

Before we left Branson we decided to do a little miniature golfing with the Siegels.  We went to our favorite course and everyone had a fun time.  Scott was the big winner of the morning.  Then it was time for the Siegels to head back home and we went to do a little school shopping at the outlet mall.  I knew it was tax free weekend in Missouri but Branson was not participating so we would only save the state sales tax.  I figured that coupled with it being a Friday would make the mall a little more crowded but not much. I was wrong!  The place was absolutely crazy.  The lines at the stores were long but we were able to get what we needed and head back to Columbia.  It was a busy but fun and productive day! 

Life in the Fast Lane

Last week the kids and I headed down to Branson to spend a day with Scott, Becky, Emma and Aiden while they were there for a week of vacation.  My kids and I love White Water so we asked if we could join them the day they decided to go there.  We are so blessed to have kids around the same age who play so well together and enjoy each others company. 

I had been watching the weather all week and was worrying about the day we chose to visit.  When we drove into Branson the skies were dark and sprinkles were hitting the windshield.  We were considering calling the Siegels to see if they wanted to postpone until the next day.  The day turned out to be perfect though.  The bad weather kept away the crowds and we could ride everything with no lines.  There were no crowds in the lazy river or the wave pool and the sidewalks were cool on your feet.  I don't think we could have asked for anything better.  

The day had a lot of first for Emma and Aiden, since they had not been to White Water before and I think they really enjoyed themselves.  Ella did her first big water slide solo, and then she did it repeatedly for the rest of the day.  Scott and I tried out the new water slide.  I will have to admit, it is a bit scary.  You get into a tube they close the door and then the floor you are standing on drops out and you fly down the tube.  We liked it though and rode it twice.  It was a great day filled with thrills and some relaxing time on the lazy river or laying out while the kids played.  

While Scott and Sam were off riding rides Sam hatched a plan with him for some more rides that evening at The Track.  So after heading back to our hotels to shower and have a snack we met up at The Track.  Ella and Aiden were tall enough to drive the rookie go karts.  While the line took a lot of patience they had a good time driving themselves.  The rest of the crew were all able to drive the faster go karts on the Heavy Metal High Rise and had a good time.  They also all rode a second go kart course and then the kids rode (and got soaked) on bumper boats.  It was a great end to a great day! 

   

Smiling in front of the not so crowded wave pool!

Emma and Scott ready to head up to ride.

Smiling at the bottom of the slide!

Becky, Emma and Sam coming around the corner. 

Waiting for their turn to drive. 

Thumbs up Mom!

Happy to be in the lead! 

Ready for some bumper boat action. 

Sam, Ella and Aiden made the picture. 

Slides and Rides

Ready to start the day

Our second day in Branson was a full one!  With this new workout kick and trying to lose weight for the beach Sam and I started the day at the hotel gym.  I can say I think I've worked out in a hotel gym maybe twice in my life before this trip.  It wasn't so bad though to get up and exercise while Ella and John slept.  Sam had a bit of an ADHD workout with hitting the treadmill, bike, elliptical, scale and water cooler all while I ran my twenty minutes but I was glad he got up and went with me.  

Hanging out under the sprinklers

After a little hotel breakfast and getting ready it was time to head to White Water!  I must say it is one of my favorite places to spend the day with my family.  It has rides, relaxation and sun; not so bad when you can not just drive to the beach for the day.  Once again, the mat ride was the favorite for most.  John still loved the lazy river the best.  It was nice day spent together.  

Sam coming down a slide

Cruising around the lazy river

After White Water we went back to the hotel to change for dinner and the The Track.  Since we were so tired from our fun and sun earlier in the day (the kids were almost falling asleep at dinner) our track trip was a short one.  John and the kids rode the large go kart ride, The LumberJack.  They all three really enjoyed it Ella and John even came in first place!  We went inside where Ella and I played a few games of skee ball and John and Sam challenged each other at pop a shot. Then it was back to the hotel for a night of rest after a busy day. 

Sam, John and Ella on the go karts (excuse the photo but I only had my phone)

Hot Night on the Course!

Last week we headed down to Branson for a mini-vacation for a few days.  The day we got there was super hot!  The kids and I shopped the outlet mall that afternoon and I had promised them a round of miniature golf.  We waited until 9:00 that evening to even arrive at the golf course and I'm sure you can tell from the pictures still sweat our way through the round.  It was a fun night though despite the heat.  We played the harder course since a whole baseball team of boys started the easier course just before us.  After a few holes we decided not to keep score and just enjoy playing.  The kids did a great job and we had a nice night.  

We may need to work a little on Sam's photography skills, but Ella and I enjoying the course. 

Sitting in the "sand"

Sam focused on his putt. 

All smiles after our hot round. 

Old Time Christmas

The weekend after Halloween we headed down to southern Missouri.  Friday night we spent in Springfield.  We picked up Sam's friend Lucas and met Dana and Hannah for dinner at Newk's.  Then I took the boys back to Lucas' house for a sleepover.  We really miss seeing Lucas and his family and it was nice to catch up on what all they have been doing and the boys enjoyed time together just hanging out and playing.  The rest of us stayed at the Lowe's house and enjoyed more time visiting with them.  

Saturday morning John went hunting and the kids and I headed down to Branson.  Saturday was the start of Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City.  The kids always enjoy seeing the lights and parade and we had not made it down there all summer.  The weather was wonderful which was good and bad.  It made the day nice but it also made the lines long.  We are limited in what we can ride with only one adult but we had a good time on the rides we rode.  I think everyone's favorite of the day was Thunderation which we must have been on five times.  The nice thing about it was that the line was always short.  The parade and all of the lights made a great end to the evening. 

After Silver Dollar City we met John at a hotel in Branson where we had a late dinner and slept well from our busy days.  The next morning we hit the outlet mall for a few good deals.  Sam got a new pair of tennis shoes, which must be his third pair this year.  Every time I turn around his feet just keep getting bigger.  He now wears shoes that are bigger than mine!  That kid is getting expensive.  

After the outlet mall we headed back to Springfield where we met the Lowe's at Lambert's.  There is nothing better than their southern comfort food!  It was also nice to have more time with family.  After stuffing our bellies and a short trip back to Kevin and Dana's we headed home.  It was a busy and enjoyable weekend! 

The Track

No trip to Branson would be complete for Sam without a visit to The Track.  The Track is actually the name of four different entertainment areas on the strip where you can ride go carts, mini golf, ride bumper boats, etc.  We headed back to the same track we visited a few years ago because they had a new go cart track called the Heavy Metal High Rise and Sam was really wanting to give it a try.  I don't know what I am going to do with that boy when he turns sixteen with his love of driving things quickly. 
They started off the evening on the older go cart track with Sam driving and John driving Ella.  They had a good time racing but were ready for the new adventure.  While I took Ella to drive her own "kiddie" go cart the boys headed to the high rise.  Sam was barely tall enough but he made it and both boys were excited as they waited in line.  Ella was a little daredevil on her track as well trying to catch and pass the other girl driving.  When she got done we watched the boys speed around their track.  Those things actually go pretty fast and John said on one of the hills you could actually get some air.  

We finished off our track passes with Sam on the older go carts again while Ella and I rode the bumper cars.  Then it was some Andy's custard to finish a good evening.  

Splash Time

With a warm week picked out for our mini vacation a day at the water park seemed like the perfect fit.  White Water is a place we all definitely enjoy.  This year was more fun with everyone able to ride all of the rides.  Sam loves all of the different slides and this year Ella was ready (and barely tall enough) to try them out for herself.  There were a few that she wasn't fond of but she gave them a try.  Her favorite was the mat ride (our name for it) which is above in the pictures.  She was willing to give it a try and I'll admit I was more nervous than she was that she was going on this tall and not enclosed ride.  It was also my first time since I usually sit out with her and it turned out to be my favorite too.  I think my favorite part was the whole family going down together.  Sam also rates that ride as his favorite and John is the only different one with a vote for the lazy river. Everything was enjoyable and it was a great way to spend time together in the heat. 

Perfect Putters

My kids love Branson and all the family friendly activities it offers and since with the move a big vacation wasn't really in the budget, it seemed like a good way to spend a few days.  We headed down to Branson and spent the first evening playing some miniature golf.  Ella got a little upset when her brother was beating her but her mood improved with her first hole in one.  It was a warm evening but a good one.