Last Grandkid Visit to Mtn. Home

 We just spent the last 5 days or so in Mtn. Home letting the grandkids all hang out together and enjoy their last visit to Mtn. Home. The grandkids are all really sad about Nanny and Papa moving to NWA. Most of them are old enough to understand that the move is necessary, but they are really sad to say good-bye to Nanny and Papa's house and all the things they love about Mtn. Home. 

The grandkids call themselves the "basement bums" and it's so cute. They love building their forts in the basement and just living down there together. It's a total grandkid domain and they love it. We didn't plan a whole lot but we did take the kids to do a few things while we were there. 

We went to the movie theater one day. Some of the kids went to see "Sheep Detectives" and the other group went to see "The Breadwinner". Both groups loved the movies they saw. It was really fun. 

Another day we went to the brand new aquatic center. Papa had been telling us about this aquatic center for years and so we were all so happy that we got to visit it once before Nanny and Papa moved. It was pretty great. Papa even enjoyed the therapy pool. He loved how light he felt in the water and can't wait to go back. 

We also went to church at the Mtn. Home ward one last time and the kids spent hours and hours playing outside. We also took a couple of group shots in front of the house so we could always remember it. 

Tucker made it his personal mission to climb every tree in Nanny and Papa's yard and the kids all cheered him on. It was pretty cute.

The kids also had a massive water balloon fight and spent many nights outside playing ghost in the graveyard. Bailey even found a little sticky frog outside one night. 

I think the kids had a wonderful time in Mtn. Home and we were just so happy to be there together one last time. 

We are all going to miss Nanny and Papa's house. We have so many amazing memories there and we are so grateful that it served as a safe and loving gathering place for so many years. 

But we are also excited for this new chapter in Nanny and Papa's life and so excited to have them so close. It's going to be amazing to have them just 7 minutes down the road. So here's to closing a well-loved chapter and opening an exciting new one. 

Branson Week

 Today we left Branson after 5 days there as a family. We all thought last year was our last time doing "BRANSON WEEK" because my parents canceled their Marriott timeshare. But we were able to use our BlueGreen ownership to book rooms for everyone at a resort in Branson and it was so fun. We stayed at "The Falls Village" and it was perfect. 

The grandkids had a great time playing there together and we were all able to stay in the same building so we were close together but we had lots of room. 

We drove up on Sunday after church and checked in. We picked up a few groceries and while the kids played, we made dinner. 

Then we went to meet Nanny and Papa in Harrison to drive thm the rest of the way, because I was worried about my Mom's eyes and her trying to drive in the dark on unfamiliar roads. 

We got back to Nanny and Papa's unit around 9:30 pm and got them all settled. 

The Arkansas Drakes came up around 8:30 pm and the Lanoys joined us around 10 pm. 

The Allreds and Aunt Laura couldn't come until Monday evening, so the Lanoys stayed in their unit for the night and played with us the next day. 

Monday was Memorial Day and we spent the day at the pool, playing games and hanging out. The kids loved playing pickle ball, mini golf and alternating between the hot tub and the pool. 

Chris and I grilled hot dogs and brats and served pasta salad and watermelon.  Just when we were getting ready to serve dinner, the Allreds and Aunt Laura arrived and were able to eat with us. We decided to serve everything poolside and had a whole night outside by the pool. It was so fun. 

 

We were so happy to be there together but we were missing the CO Drakes and Uncle Joseph. We enjoyed a beautiful evening together at the pool and chatted while the kids played. 

After dinner, the Lanoys had to head home but we talked them into leaving Emmett. Blake and Ella had other commitments so they had to return home, but we got to keep Emmett for the week. He's such a gem of a kid and was absolutely no trouble at all. 

It was a great memorial day and we had a blast. 

Tuesday morning was spent lounging, hanging out and swimming. The kids loved the ability to go play mini golf or play at the playground whenever they wanted. 

We took Papa over the pool at one point to hang out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Papa was feeling pretty worn out from his time at the acute rehab facility so he didn't swim, but he enjoyed watching the kids play. 

Our unit quickly became the hang out for the cousins and they would play minecraft together in the living room area. It was pretty cute! Admittedly, they spent way too much time on screens, but at least it was cooperative play together. 

Tuesday night after dinner, Papa wanted to take all the kids to Wal-Mart to buy their own little carton of ice cream. This was quite the treat for the kids and they were so excited. It was pretty cute. 

At night, after we got the kids to bed, we would go to Nanny and Papa's room and watch "24" for a few hours. This is one of our oldest "Branson Week" traditions and it was fun to relive it together. 

Something new this year was matching pajamas for the women. I bought all my sisters and my mom pajamas and they are the softest things I've worn in a long time. Everyone got either stripes or green floral and they are so cute. Julieta and Michelle each have a pair of pjs too.

We loved getting comfy in our PJs at night, popping popcorn and binging "24" at night together.

On Wednesday we made breakfast and then Sarah and I took all the kids to Hobby Lobby and let them pick out a hat and some iron-on patches to decorate them with. The kids thought this sounded kind of lame, but once we got there they all got really into it and loved picking out their patches. 

They all loved their hats and how they turned out. It was so cute to see them wearing their hats the rest of the week. Sarah and I also bought matching hats and yes, we think we are pretty funny. 

The rest of the day was spent at the pool, playing mini golf and then we roasted smores after dinner. S'mores are something that are so easy and yet so magical. It was such a gorgeous night and Papa and Nanny enjoyed watching the kids play after eating their s'mores.

Thursday we woke up to rain. It actually ended up raining all day long and all night. It was kind of crazy how much rain we got. But we still managed to have fun. We went to "Adventure Seekers" and played indoors for a few hours. Steph Lanoy and her kids drove back up to play too. 

Adventure Seekers is an ndoor family entertainment center. It's described as a "fun-factory," it features over 150 interactive exhibits, ranging from classic arcade games to modern virtual reality experiences and AI-powered games.  The attraction is designed to entertain all ages, offering a mix of nostalgic gaming, hands-on museum-style oddities, and unique photo opportunities. We also rode their "FlyRide"  which is a state-of-the-art, four-story-high simulated flight adventure. It's a multi-dimensional theater experience  that suspends you in front of a giant curved screen, incorporating wind, mist, scents, and motion effects. We picked the American landmark ride and soared over 22 of America's iconic landmarks (such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls). We had so much fun. I think most everyone's favorite part was the "FlyRide". 

 After we finished at "Adventure Seekers" the Lanoys all left to drive home, including Emmett. We were sad to see them go, but we had alot of fun together. 

That  night we ate dinner and let the kids play screens while the adults watched "24" again. 

Thursday night was our last night together in Branson. 

Friday morning we got up and packed up. We checked out of our units and then drove over to "Parlor Doughnuts" to eat the most delicious cronuts ever. Everyone enjoyed their treats and it was the perfect way to end our week in Branson.  Oh, Sarah, Julieta and I also had to get a pic together because were were unintentionally matching. I love my sisters so much!

After getting donuts, we left Branson and we all drove to Mtn. Home to hang out for another week. This was to be the grandkids last time all together in Mtn. Home so we wanted them to have some time to play and say good-bye to the house before Nanny and Papa move to Centerton. 

We had a wonderful time in Branson and we are just so grateful that we were able to make it work this year. Hopefully we can make it work again next year because "BRANSON WEEK" is everyone's favorite week of the year.