Fire in the Hole

The Redford Family
(Richard & Sarah & son Jaden - far left, Brent & Shannon & kids Tyler & Samantha - middle, Judy & Hal - far right, & Us in the front middle)


We just arrived home from a week vacation with the Redford family in Branson, MO. We spent much of our time at Silver Dollar City, White Water, & Celebration City. We had a great time. The kids are older this year & can ride more rides - a favorite is Fire in the Hole . . . unfortunately I have no pictures of it because it's an inside ride. But here are some other photos we wanted to share. . .

3rd car - Jaden, Hal; 2nd car - Isabelle & Kelly; 1st car - Samantha & Shannon

Water Toboggan Ride - Richard, Jaden, Sarah, & Isabelle - WET FUN!

The Clogging show was a highlight for Isabelle. She loved it! This is Blake, one of the lead dancers. Isabelle is hoping to learn someday!
We took JM, Isabelle & Sam to see the VeggieTales show - "The Invention of Silliness". It was so cute . . . and we got to meet Bob & Larry when it was all over.

Can you spot Kevin in the 2nd row all by himself - his legs are dangling as he begins to go upside down on Wildfire?

Isabelle, John Michael, Shannon, & Samantha riding a ride that went straight up & dropped them down. It was a "mini" version of the adult ride many people like to ride.
WELCOME TO WHITE WATER!

Shannon & Kevin racing down the HUGE water slide at White Water . . . it is a straight drop down - 9 stories high. YIKES . . . they love it, I hate it!Kevin, Brent, Tyler & Shannon racing down the 4 man slide - Kevin won, sorry Brent we have it on film. Maybe next time you'll get him.

Isabelle & Samantha at the end of our day. Isn't this adorable?

We allowed the kids to pick out one souvenir from our trip to remember our vacation. JM picked out a car that he got to build with his dad at a new store called RideMakers. It was really fun & a dream for a little boy who LOVES monster trucks & cars. Isabelle picked this rag doll at Silver Dollar City. She actually made the doll & one for a friend who helped take care of our chickens. Her dolls name is Princess Ellie. She too loved the process of making her very own doll. They made great choices that I'm sure they'll treasure for a long time.

Our last night in Branson at Branson Landing. We had a great dinner & time to walk along the Boardwalk . . . a perfect shot of the cousins to end our trip.

Happy 4th of July

We have made it to St. Louis, actually Washington, MO (south of St. Louis). We are visiting our my moms best friend & her family. We arrived Thursday on the Amtrak train. It was a blast. The kids enjoyed walking up & down the aisles fo the train. We were in the last car - and the "snack" car was the 1st car - so after 3 trips to the front car for necessary items (bagel, pretzels, skittles, water, & root beer) we were FULL! Well, I was, but JM seems to be continually hungry. Waiting for the train . . . it was so chilly!

Isabelle holding Olivia while Holly feed her. Isabelle & Olivia LOVE each other so much!

JM sitting with 2 new friends. They were 2 boys sitting in front of us with a movie. They were from south K.C., the mom graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas in '97. Fun connection. He enjoyed the boys.

Yesterday was a full day of swimming activities & more food! As we approached the evening, the kids were like zombies - they were exhausted. After dinner, we made smores & then headed for fireworks - without my sister & her family & John Michael. He was too tired & my sister's baby was already in bed. Holly told me that JM was so tired when we left that he almost ran into a table. She had to dress him for bed because he couldn't himself.

Papa John, John Michael, & Isabelle playing in the pool. (above)
Isabelle doing the "star" float (below)

Here's a few more . . . enjoy!