Our Last Vacation Days-Friday, Saturday, Sunday

On Friday, some friends of ours, a family of 5, joined us for the day at Silver Dollar City. The kids had a wonderful time with their friends and we laughed and played all day long! In the evening, we all crashed at the condo for a taco supper and more visiting.
On Saturday, Tom's brother Dave and his bride Becca came for the day! Again, we loved going on rides together at SDC and watching Becca experience her first roller coasters. It was another full & fun day and we all ended up at the condo pool afterwards.
On Sunday, we tidied the condo and packed everything up-our week had flown by so quickly! We went to a church service at James River Assembly on our way out. After that, lunch at Qdoba, frozen custard at Andy's in Springfield, then off to Grandma's house for an afternoon of visiting before heading home in the evening!
We're so thankful Grandma generously gave us the opportunity to use the condo, and we had an absolutely wonderful time the whole week, relaxing and having fun together as a family!

Family Fun!

 At the coffee shop

 At the lake!

Day Four: Branson, Missouri

Thursday:

Tom regaled us with his delicious breakfast of fried potatoes, eggs, English muffins, fresh peaches, and grape juice.

It was the first day of Silver Dollar City's “Southern Gospel Picnic” and the park was refreshingly uncrowded! We didn't have to wait in line for anything, and went on several rides together as a family. At the taffy shop, we observed them making peanut butter taffy, and we saw some of the Canadian Baptists again. After a few hours at the park, we headed back to the condo for a late lunch and preparations to visit Table Rock Lake.

We spent three hours at “Moonshine Beach”, enjoying the lake water and beautiful weather. Tom met some Ukrainian Pentecostal Baptists (as they called themselves) and enjoyed a game of volleyball and swimming with the guys. Drew worked on his underwater swimming techniques, Caleb went to and fro like a fish, and Hosanna bobbed around on an oversized life-jacket, talking to people as she bobbed.

Once we returned, I did a little Wal-Mart grocery shopping and brought back pizza. Then, early to bed! A day of sun and water had us all happy but worn out.

Day Three: Branson, Missouri

Wednesday:

We slept in even later than yesterday, if you can believe it. Breakfast was bacon, fried eggs, biscuits, fresh pears, and orange juice. One must eat well on vacation, you know, to keep up one's strength.

We headed to Springfield so Tom and the boys could visit ANOTHER Bass Pro shop, the massive one, while Hosanna and I were a few blocks away checking out a darling shop called “Red Velvet”, which I had been wanting to see for months. Hosanna loved trying on the hats, and we found one that compliments her perfectly and looks like something that walked out of “Alice in Wonderland”. We shared a truly AMAZING cookies n' cream cupcake that was everything a cupcake should be-moist but not crumbly, and bursting with rich flavor. We also shared our first-ever bubble tea in a raspberry flavor and agreed it was a favorite.

After joining the boys, we all had a late lunch (everything is fashionably “late” during vacation) at a Chinese restaurant. I think Springfield should also be called the “Cashew Chicken Capitol of the World” and that is what we had for our cheap but tasty middle-of-the-day meal. Also crammed in the tiny restaurant was a Baptist Church group from Manitoba, Canada, loudly exclaiming over and enjoying their lunch as well. It was quite entertaining.

Then, we were off to the old downtown district to do a bit of browsing. The boys went to a family-owned scooter shop to talk scooters while Hosanna and I searched through an “all things vintage” shop next door. When did the 80's become “vintage”? I'm confused. :)

Rounding a corner, we stumbled upon a coffee shop and cafe called “Boca Mocha”, which literally pulled me right in; it could not be helped. I fell in love with the interior design and chatted with the shop owner, a lovely young woman also named Rachel and about my age, who was busy behind the bar whipping up delicious coffee treats. She gave a large slice of chocolate cake to the kids when our wait turned out to be longer than expected. They consumed the cake and the raspberries that went with it before I could even grab the camera. Tom took a little nap on one of their comfy couches. Next time I'm in Springfield, I'll definitely make my way back to this eclectic spot!

Once back to the condo, we relaxed for a bit and while Drew slept hard, Tom took Hosanna and Caleb swimming. After a dinner of various leftovers, we headed out in the relative cool of the evening for miniature golf at “Pirate's Cove”. Tom beat us all, of course, with Hosanna coming in 2^nd, Caleb and I tying for 3^rd, and Drew coming in last, although he did get a hole in one once. I heard Drew say that his pirate name was “Fat Bobby”.

Day Two: Branson, Missouri

Post-script from our arrival night: The kids saw a raccoon and chased it but were unable to catch it (to their consternation and my relief). Caleb wanted me to make sure I noted this.

We all managed to sleep in a bit this morning (such a hardship). Breakfast was pumpkin pie and granola. We had hoped to spend some time swimming at Table Rock Lake, but due to heavy rain went instead to Branson Landing, starting out at the Bass Pro shop and then weaving our way down the strip, in and out of shops as the rain came and went.

The highlight for the kids was probably the candy shop-they each got a small bag of their own to fill with the goodies of their choice, to their rapturous delight.

At The Children's Place, Drew said loudly after exiting the bathroom: “Those bathrooms were SO clean, Mommy! I was afraid to touch the toilet, it was so clean. They are waaaay cleaner than our bathrooms!”

Once the rain stopped, we enjoyed a late lunch outside on the patio of a gourmet Mexican restaurant- Cantina Laredo. I think that was some of the most delicious Mexican food I have ever eaten! It was located right next to the Landing fountains, which boast a special fire & water musical display every hour. 

The question Caleb posed to us all was, “Where in the world would you go, if you could?”

Tom: Swiss Alps (although his first answer was, “Wherever Rachel is”)

Rachel: Venice

Hosanna: China

Caleb: Amazon Rainforest

Drew: Wisconsin

Our cheerful server told us that Drew was the American version of one of her favorite Hispanic actors, a 5 year old named Javier Gutierrez (of the "Pequeños Gigantes" on Univision).

When we at last made it back to our condo in the late afternoon, a siesta was in order. What is it about vacations that make you tired? It must be all the relaxing! After that, off to the pool for more swimming. We met a lovely Christian couple celebrating their 35^th anniversary. They enjoyed playing with our kids and telling us about their five grown sons. The Dad was a mechanical engineer, so he and Caleb chatted it up quite a bit.

A late dinner of hot dogs, raspberries, and carrot sticks ended with the kids on the couch and Tom reading stories. Then, one more episode of Andy (can you tell we are making our way through all 8 seasons?!?). After they were in bed, Tom and I shared a slice of Dino's famous carrot cake which we had purchased at the Landing. Scrumptious! I love to visit places, big and small, that I've read about. A tasty end to a perfect day.

Notes from the start of our vacation...

Sunday evening we arrived safely in Branson. Our condo is located in a quiet, wooded area not far from Silver Dollar City.

We had a late night, one pot supper of Aldi's orange chicken and rice stir-fry. Then, one episode of “The Andy Griffith Show”, peanut m&m's, and snuggled down to bed. The kids were sooo excited!

Monday morning, fresh blueberry pancakes and sausage. Then, while Tom and I took care of some necessary “paperwork”, the kids had the time of their life playing in our ginormous jacuzzi tub. They emerged quite some time later like wrinkled prunes. Drew had been swimming underwater (yes, it's that big) so he was rewarded with a peanut m&m.

Then, we fried their brains with some educational T.V. while Tom finished with his work. Once that was done, we were off to play tennis. More like, off to catch balls. I forgot what an uncoordinated klutz I am. Caleb earned more peanut m&m's catching my stray balls. I do so love to bribe my children.

Then, off to the nearest Wal-Mart (just a couple miles down the road) for a few grocery and vacation necessities, like ice-cream cones. Bought peaches at a roadside stand just a few feet from the trees they were picked from.

Sandwiches for lunch, followed by ice-cream and more lounging around while watching another episode of Andy. Drew needed a nap, but it was our first day of vacation! Some concessions were in order.

Then, Tom took the kids around the corner to swim in the ultra cool water-park while I stayed to make yet more phone calls regarding our house purchase (making sure all our utilities and such will be set up in time for our move!).

A full afternoon of swimming in the lovely weather was a perfect way to finish out the day. The kids chose one of their favorite meals for dinner-spaghetti with garlic bread, fresh steamed green beans, and apple pie for dessert from Wal-Mart's illustrious bakery. The apple pie was Drew's idea. When I asked the kids for meal suggestions, that was his only one. Apple pie, and lots of it.