My in-laws visit Branson Missouri about twice a year and have been wanting to bring Quentin, myself, and the girls up for several months now. This last weekend (July 21-24th) was the best weekend that worked with everyone's schedules. We left Perry at 4:30 Wednesday morning. This trip was full of fun, laughter, and treasured memories that will last a life time. I want to thank my in-laws for giving us a little preview of what all Branson has to offer.
The stories could keep me typing for DAYS, instead I will just share a few pictures and add captions to them.
Ready to get a move on at 4:00am
Swimming in the hotel pool
Checking out the view!
While at Silver Dollar City we went on a train ride. Of course it was more than just a train ride, there was also a show. We sat in the 4th car since the first 3 filled up quickly and we had 6 people to try to sit together. We found out that our tour guide was from Iowa when he said "go Hawks" to Quentin after noticing his Hawkeyes hat. While going on the train he wanted everyone to yell "howdy" but the 4th car was suppose to yell something different. What was it we yelled? GO HAWKS!
The girls saw this HUGE play area for kids and wanted to check it out. After climbing several stairs we came to an area that you could shoot soft balls at one another. The girls had a blast and liked that I was the one running and filling their guns with more balls.
We headed out of Silverdollar City knowing that we would be coming back the next day. I noticed that while taking the tram to the park that in the front they had a spot up front next to the driver. It was great because there are 2 seats next to the driver and 4 behind him (perfect for our group). Since Kimberly was tired and almost falling asleep we felt it was safer for one of us to sit holding her.
The next morning we headed back to Silver Dollar City. Chuck and Laura (my in-laws) really wanted to check out the cave they had. We got into the area where they talked about what all we would have to walk through and both my in-laws, along with Clare, decided they would skip out on this one. Our group of 6 became 3. A little girl who was 5, but the same size as Kimberly, stayed very close to us throughout the tour. The girls talked, giggled, and declared each other friends. This little girl also took to me as well and wanted to hold my hand in the cave. I asked her mom if she minded her daughter walking with me and she was ok with it, but after getting into the cave we felt it best she stayed with her family. Kimberly walked the entire time only being held once in awhile. We tried to take pictures but it was so dark they didn't turn out that well but here is one of Kim and Daddy before heading into the cave!
The 3 pictures above are from the dog show we went to shortly after getting out of the cave. These dogs are amazing and did flips, balancing acts, and awesome tricks. The girls were watching in amazement. We happened to sit on the red side and we had to cheer for the dogs on the red side. Of course our side WON the "contest"! We had a great time cheering for both sides though. A very neat thing about all these dogs is that almost all of them are rescued dogs like Lady. It warmed my heart that these dogs went from being unloved and unwanted to having loving owners and being part of something that no one knew they where capable of doing. After the show was over they allowed the kids to come pet one of the dogs. This dog is from Oklahoma and was on the blue side but we enjoyed watching all of his tricks.
Clarissa was tickled pink when the dog leaned up and gave her a kiss :)
We saw a few other shows (no picture taking allowed) and enjoyed some rides. One ride that is talked about often is Fire In The Hole. This was described as a slow moving roller coaster that had sound affects and robotics. I pictured something similar to Adventureland's "Underground". We felt it was fine for all 6 of us to ride it. I noticed that the people getting of f the ride where slightly wet but that was not a problem, a little water never hurt anyone. WELL... At first I found the ride somewhat boring, and right when I commented (out loud) that I didn't know what the bars where for that are in our laps. we shot down and back up. This caught us all off guard and I couldn't help but laugh. There was nothing really exciting until it was pitch black and you hear "FIRE IN THE HOLE" and we shoot down and get splashed with water... I very surprised and the girls where shocked. Clarissa cried a little but soon after was talking about how much she loved it. I must say I hope we can do that one again someday!
Saturday morning came and we did the earliest ride that was offered and we were the first group to get on the 3rd duck. Our captain's name was Captain Cook, he was hilarious cracking jokes and making sure everyone was having a great time. One of the best parts for the girls was when they each got a turn to DRIVE while out on the water :)
Clarissa driving while out on the water!
Kimberly taking us for a ride!
Feeding the Rainbow Trout at the fish hatchery, the girls LOVED this to pieces.
We stopped by a neat place for kids that had lots of little rides: A train, go carts, tea cups, and a ship. The girls enjoyed all the rides but Kimberly didn't do the carts. Clarissa had the cart track to herself.
While on the way home we stopped to stretch our legs and enjoy a snack.
Also during the ride home I got a neat idea from my mother-in-law that one time while taking Quentin and his sister on a vacation she gave them a gift to open every hour to help the trip not seem so bad. I liked this idea and while shopping on Saturday night Quentin and I found these cute little toys that I could wrap up and give them for each hour on the way home. 6 toys for 6 hours!
Kimberly's first gift was Fawn, the animal fairy.
Clarissa's first gift was Princess Jasmine
Kimberly's 2nd gift was Iridessa, the light fairy
Clarissa's 2nd gift Snow White.
Gift #3 for Kim was Rosetta, the garden Fairy.
Clare's 3rd gift was Ariel.
Kimberly's 4th gift was Slivermist, or as Kimberly calls her "water fairy humor".
She's also a water fairy and if you have seen the movies you know why she calls her water fairy humor!
While listening to her favorite tunes Clarissa got her 4th gift who happened to be Tianna.
Kimberly was acting tired but perked right up when she saw that gift #5 was Vidia, a wind fairy.
Now Clarissa is either listening to music or playing with the iTouch but either way she was thrilled that gift 5 was Princess Aurora.
For the last gift of the trip I wanted to give the girls more than just their favorite Fairy or Princess so I picked up these cute notebooks and special marker sets for them to color while enjoying the final stretch home. The girls loved it and the marker was perfect because it only marks on the paper and changes color to what they are coloring. It was a brilliant idea and I was happy to have been able to gift the girls with them.
Kimberly with her Tinkerbell, who happens to be a tinker fairy.
As you might have noticed in several picture of Clare she's wearing glasses. These, and a hello kitty purse, were what she purchased with her $10.00 while at the mall. They aren't real but Clare loves wearing them as if they are real. She loves her coloring book and even showed me how well she colors in the lines EVEN in the Highlander.
Clarissa's 6th Princess was Cinderella!
The memories are treasured most during this trip and I would like to give a HUGE thank you to my in laws for giving us such an awesome mini vacation this summer. It was much appreciated and needed.
::Random Branson Pictures and in no specific order::
This picture makes me laugh... Silver Dollar City
Water and lights show
Riding a small train
Clarissa enjoying the tea cups with Kimberly... She had a blast!
Kimberly loved this and wanted her picture taken with him!
These are made of all wood. Clarissa was fascinated with them and enjoyed
walking around the store at Silver Dollar City.
And the Most Fun Dad Award goes to.... QUENTIN PAINTER!
Kimberly really wanted him to go on the butterflies with her and how can you say no to her? Yep that's right you can't and that's why Quentin ended up in the back seat of her butterfly.
My mother-in-law and I kept telling Clare to push the black button so she could go high like daddy and Kim. Well this is a good picture of Clare saying, "I don't want to go high... so I'm not pushing it!" But she had a great time anyway!
More pictures will be added if/when I get them.
