Girls' Trip with Christie

I just got home from an amazing girl's trip with my best friend, Christie Thornock. 
She flew into XNA on Monday night and the next morning we took off for a girl's trip to Branson. 

We went to brunch in Bentonville first and then drove up to Branson. 
We went straight to the outlet mall and started shopping. 
We had a great time shopping and it was so nice because it was the off season so the mall was empty. We loved it. 

Then we went to "Mel's Hard Luck Diner" for dinner. It was a cute diner where the waiters and waitress all sing show tunes and the food was delicious. 

From there we went to Wal-Mart and stocked up on the essential snacks for the week. 

Then we checked into our resort, unpacked and settled in to watch some trashy TV. 

The next morning we slept in and then decided to hit the pool. Hilariously, we came out of our rooms wearing the same exact swimsuit. We could not stop laughing. 
The previous day we had both come out where rompers so we were 2 for 2. 

We also packed our stanley cup trays full of snacks and our cups were filled with cool refreshing beverages. 

After a day laying out at the pool, we decided to go get lunch/dinner. 
We grabbed dinner at "Panera" and then went back to our room to watch more trashy TV and eat our ice cream. Turns out, "Ben & Jerry's" fit perfectly inside Stanley cups. They stay cold inside the insulated cups and the handles make it so your hand doesn't get cold. It was perfect. 

We also put on collagen masks and looked like total creepers. We couldn't stop laughing. We couldn't smile or do any facial expressions with the masks on, so we had to do serious faces. We look so weird. 

 

The next day we hit the pool again. We spent alot of time laying at the pool, sun bathing and relaxing. 

 

After our pool time, we got dressed and decided to go shopping at the "Grand Village"
We loved shopping at the little Christmas ornament shops and we got matching best friend necklaces. 

Then we went to eat at "Little Hacienda" 
The food was so good. 

 

But we couldn't get over the size of the horchata drinks. They were massive and we were cracking up. 

 

From there we went down to the Landing and did the "7D Ride" and mirror Maze. 
We laughed so hard and had a great time. 

Then we hit up "Hurts Donuts" before going back to our room. 

We stayed up late watching TV and laughing way too hard. 

The next morning we had to take a few pictures in the sweatshirts that Christie made us. They were so cute and so soft. 

Then we went to take an "Old Fashioned Photo" and laughed our way through that as well. 

We felt incredibly awkward and had to no idea how to do a serious face so we just laughed the whole time. 

Then we did a little more shopping and then grabbed dinner at "Local Flavor". 
I had the best chicken sandwich of my life. The food was so yummy. 

Then we drove back to Bentonville and did some more shopping. 
We closed down Marshalls and then drove home. 

Christie slept over at our house for the last night and the next morning I took her back to the airport. 

I was sad she had to leave, but we had the best time together. It doesn't matter how many months or years we spend apart- we always have the best time together. I cannot wait until our next girls trip. 
Until then, atleast we have the pictures to look back on. 

Labor Day Fun in Branson

We just got home from a quick trip to Branson with Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura. 

Sadly, with Dad gone for his military school, he had to miss our fun. 

We stayed at a BlueGreen resort "the Falls Village" and it was great. 
The kids really love the playground at this resort. 

We arrived Saturday afternoon and checked in. We ordered groceries and Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura picked them up. So we could eat dinner at the resort.

Then the kids wanted to play outside and go swimming. 

Well, actually only Tucker and Benson wanted to swim. The older two kids didn't want to play. 
The little boys had a great time and the weather was fantastic. 

On Sunday we went to church and then played around the resort and relaxed. The resort has mini golf, shuffleboard, pickleball and more- in addition to the indoor and outdoor pools. 
Bailey and I enjoyed just being outside, she read her book while I watched the boys play at the playground. 

Then the boys wanted to swim again. This time Tanner did swim and play with them. 

We got lots of snuggles and relaxation time in over the weekend too. 

Aunt Laura brought a puzzle and the kids enjoyed helping her work on it whenever they weren't outside playing. 

We ate delicious food all weekend and it was so nice to be able to just cook out own food and save the money. I really love the full kitchens at BlueGreen resorts. 

Tucker also loved playing with the lego at the kid's club area. 

That night we all played mini golf. Aunt Laura won after getting 4 holes-in-one. It was insane. 

Then Bailey gave Nanny a bit of make-over. This was pretty cute to witness. She would explain what she was doing and what it was for. I was cracking up. 

Monday morning the kids helped Aunt Laura finish the puzzle and we ate breakfast. 

Then we checked out and went to run some errands. 
The girls (minus Aunt Laura) went to Ulta to get some makeup. 

Papa and Aunt Laura took the kids to "Five Below" to get a toy or treat. 

Then we went to Culver's for lunch. 
This was Nanny and Papa's first experience at Culver's and everyone enjoyed their lunches. 

From there we went over to Nanny and Papa's Marriott Timeshare Resort and played at their pool. 

The weather was perfect for the pool and we all relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. 

Benson was so excited to try out his new motorized boat. He drove it all over the pool. 

He was seriously so happy with his boat. 

Of course, no visit to the Marriott pool is complete without snow cones. 

So naturally we had to get some and enjoy them poolside. 

 

After we finished swimming and playing, we all changed and started the drive home. 
It was a quick trip but we had a great time. 

We love any time we get with Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura. These little trips to Branson are always fun.

Happy Labor Day everyone. It's back to reality now and another week until Dad gets home from school.