Branson Week 2013

Saturday we kicked off our "Branson Week 2013"

We started off our vacation by going to see the "Amazing Pets" show at Grand Country Theater. They were having an area appreciation sale and so we got the tickets super cheap. I'm not usually a "show" person, but this was pretty good, especially for the price.

Despite the looks on my kids faces, they really did love the show.

Here's a picture of the kids and I outside the show building. The "Amazing Pets" poster is behind us. It was so funny to see the kids' faces as they watched those cats and dogs do amazing things.

Then we went to "Billy Bob's Dairy land" for lunch and had some really good burgers and milkshakes. After that it was naps. Then Chris drove up and met us. We went to our hotel while everyone else went to do some grocery shopping.

Then we went and ate at "Cracker Barrel." The kids loved having their Dad around.

Then it was back to our hotel for a quick swim and then bed. (our room at the Marriott opened on Sunday, so the first night we spent at the Stone Castle Hotel.)

Sunday was Father's day. We woke up and ate breakfast at the hotel. Then we went to sacrament at one of the wards in Branson. Then we went over to the condo for lunch and naps. After naps we were able to check into our room at the Marriott. We made the men steaks, salad and potatoes for dinner and then it was visiting and baths before bed.

Nanny and I did take the kids out for a walk and played at the clubhouse for a couple hours, so the Dads could take naps and truly relax on their day.

 

Tanner just taking the time to smell the flowers...

 

Also, Tanner did enjoy some good snuggles with his aunts.

And Bailey got in some quality Uncle Johnny time. She adores him!

Chris left to go back to Bentonville for work on Monday morning. We were sad to see him go so soon, but we are so grateful he has a good job!

We spent Monday morning at Branson's "Wild World". It's an indoor interactive aquarium. It was really neat. We were able to watch sharks and sting rays swim all around us.

Isn't this shark creepy?

Check out that shark giving Tanner the evil eye. He kept swimming past this window and checkin' us out. So creepy!

 

This was a sting ray. It was in an open top tank. We got to watch the keeper feed him. So cool.

Tanner and the kiddos checking out the bamboo sharks and the sting rays.

We got to feed the sharks as well. That red pole is how we fed him. We stuck little tiny fish on the end and then stuck them into the water and the sharks came by and grabbed them. It was so fun.

Tanner and I feeding the shark. He was too interested in watching the oncoming sharks trying to eat our fish then smiling for the camera.

Then  Bailey and I feeding the shark. She was such a big helper.

I was so glad my dad decided to come with us. Bailey wanted to be held most the time because some of the big animals scared her, and I couldn't have handled both alone while having to hold her the whole time. Such an awesome Papa.

Next on our tour were the alligators and crocodiles. Bailey wouldn't leave Papa's arms for this section, but she did enjoy saying "in a while crocodile" and "see you later alligator" over and over again.

Check out how massive this alligator is...scary!!!

Tanner loved looking in the Koi pond.

At the end of the aquarium they had an area where you could touch some of the animals. This is a picture of Tanner petting a Bamboo shark. (Left) and touching a sting ray (right)

 (Yes, my mom freaked when she saw this picture).

Tanner is so brave!

Tanner grabbing the shark's tail. Once I got him to touch the shark the first time, he just kept wanting to play with it.

Bailey totally touched this crab. She is fearless!

But Bailey's favorite thing was the turtles. She was so excited when we found them.

Here she is talking to the turtles. She kept saying "Hi turtle. What you doin' turtle?" and so forth...

She is quite the talker.

Bailey and Tanner both got to feed the turtles, which was such a hit with them.

after the aquarium we ate lunch and the kids took naps. Then it was more playing with aunts and uncles and then dinner.  Julieta and Joseph made "tinga" for dinner and it was delicious.

 Monday evening/night was spent at the pool. Actually, most evenings were spent at the pool. We love our night swims. Tanner got to try out his "water wings" for the first time and he love them and Bailey fell in love with the little fountains.

my kids were totally spoiled by all the attention their aunts and uncles gave them. So ridiculous!

Bailey and I at the pool on Monday

  

 

Oh, how I love this crazy boy!

After swimming in the pool, tanner decided it was time to head over to the "hot pool", which is what he called the "hot tub". He loved the hot tub (even though it was more warm than hot). He always insisted on wearing his water wings and goggles though. Such a geek!

 

Tuesday morning we woke up bright and early (8 am) and went to the boat dock to rent a boat.

I just love this picture of the aunts with all the little kids. I have such awesome sisters!

We snapped a quick picture while waiting for our boat.

I love my kiddos in their sunglasses. So cute!

Once on the water, the fun began. Including a dance party with Aunt "Rah" and Uncle Johnny. Tanner was such a fan of this!!!!
Also, it's impossible not to love Sarah's belly in this picture.

I took Bailey tubing and she was such a pro. She even waved to everyone on the boat while we tubed.

Here we are after our tubing adventure.

Tanner, however, did not want to tube this year. He did enjoy sitting on top of the tube and just hanging out, but he didn't want to do anything to adventurous on the water this year.

He kept putting his goggles and hat on- even though he wasn't in the water and he was in the shade. (my son is super weird)

Bailey loved floating in her "dolphin". Yes, I know it's a seal- but she wont stop calling it a dolphin. Her and Aunt Sarah floated together for a long time.

Oh and his picture cracks me up. When Papa first started the boat, Tanner thought it was too loud. So he spent the first half the boat ride with his hands over his ears.

It cracked me up because it really wasn't very loud. He was convinced it was going to shatter his eardrums or something.

Me and my little boaters. Love the life jackets on their chubby little bodies.

Tanner did eventually get in the water with Papa.

But there was no way he was going down the slide. I tried for a good 10 minutes to get him to just try the slide once. I know he would have loved it. Our boat was a pontoon and it had an upper deck with a slide going down into the water. Tanner loves slides. Tanner loves the water. Naturally I thought he would love the slide.

NOPE!!!

This is as close as I could get him to the slide.

And at one point I had to get on the slide with him.....

Here is me trying to get him to drop the final foot into the water... It was a no- go.

 

After about 4 hours on the boat, we headed back to the condo for naps. Then it was pizza for dinner (compliments of Sarah and Johnny) and then back out to the hot tub.

Bailey also became quiet found of the hot tub.

Later, Nanny brought out some s'mores. Tanner was being such a goof- I had to document it.

Enjoying our s'mores!

 

Wednesday morning Papa made his incredible omelets. Then we headed downtown to checkout the old fashioned "5 & 10" store. It was so cool. It had lots of old fashioned toys and crafts. Papa let each grandchild pick out one toy-it was so cute to watch them each pick out the perfect toy.
Tanner got a harmonica and Bailey got a set of rubber duckies.

Then we walked over to a super cute ice cream shop. The kids each got an ice cream cone and it was so refreshing. (summer is in full swing here- so its a little more than warm outside)

 

 

We went back for lunch and the kids napped. While they were napping, some of the women folk went outlet shopping. I love outlet shopping. It's seriously so addicting. I love finding a good deal.

 

That night we ate a delicious crab dinner and then headed back to the pool for another night swim. I love Tanner in his water wings and goggles. It cracks me up so much.

And this little sweetheart. She's momma's girl.

Tanner loved walking on his hands in the pool and kicking his feet. I really need to get him in swim lessons. Once we move, I fully intend to put him in lessons. He loves the pool!

Bailey discovered she loved jumping off the side into the water. We must have done this 25 times. She would raise one leg, bend it at the knee and then kind of fall into the water. I caught her of course, but it made her so happy.

love the excitement on her face!

 

Thursday was a day spent at the pool. The condo has an awesome kiddie area. Lots of fountains and sprinklers.

And its shallow enough that Tanner can walk on his hands all around the pool.

He also discovered he could jump into the pool, do a bit of a belly-flop and then swim with his little head just above the water.

I love this so much!

Our morning at the pool wore Bailey out. She was resting while her cousins swam.

After the pool it was lunch time and then naps. With all the time my kids were spending outside in the pool and the sun- they were taking 3 hour naps everyday. It was blissful.

Then we went out to Olive Garden for a family dinner.

Bailey insister on sharing my water throughout dinner. It was pretty cute.

"More water pease!"

Then the kid free adults went to see "Man of Steel" at the imax. And those of us with young toddler headed back to the condo for some more pool time. Then we did glowsticks and glow-in-the-dark bubbles.

That was followed by fudge pops and baths-  at the same time. LOVE cousin baths!!!

Then it was popcorn and "Toy Story"

The next day Sarah and Johnny had to fly back to Utah. But before they left, we all went out for a DELICIOUS sushi lunch. Tanner surprised us all when he decided he LOVED sushi.

He ate 5 rolls on his own. My son has such expensive tastes!

 

After lunch we headed back for quick naps and then we went over to Silver Dollar City.

Chris was able to get off work early and he met us at the park. It was so fun to see him again and get to spend time with him at Silver Dollar City.

It was "Kid Fest" at the park so there were lots of cool toys for the kids to play with.

Then we headed over to "Geyser Gulch" and let the kids cool off in the water.

 

And we played in the balls- of course.

After Silver Dollar City we went back to the condo for a quick swim. Then Chris and I left out kiddos with my parents and went on a date for our 6th anniversary.
Here is a picture of me and my sweetheart before our date.

We went to Olive Garden. Then outlet shopping, the ice cream and the "Man of Steel".

It was such a fun night and I was so happy to get to spend our anniversary together!

 

Saturday morning Chris and I took the kids to "White Water". It's a big outdoor water park. It was pretty fun.

Don't you love the kids in their life jackets!!!

Tanner  enjoyed the kiddie area so much. Lots of sliding and splashing for this little man.

Bailey's first time down the slide didn't go too well. She got turned around and went down sideways.

So she wasn't a fan...But I was able to cheer her up afterwards.

We had a blast in the toddler area. These silly kids are my bliss!

Unfortunately, Tanner got sunscreen in his eyes halfway through our day and he just wanted to sit on the chair with the towel over his face for the rest of the time. So I took Bailey to the wave pool while he rested.

It was pretty fun. Bailey kept trying to get down and swim on her own- she's so ridiculous.

 

 

It was so fun to have Daddy there and even nicer to have help with the kiddos.

Before we left we snapped a couple of family pictures outside the park.

 

 

It was such a fun week. SOOO busy but SOOO fun.

I'm dreading trying to get my kids back on their schedules but it was worth it!

I'm so grateful to my parents for making this vacation possible and helping us all get together and spend that awesome week together! We look forward to "Branson week" soo much!!!