Who Needs Disney World?

Our family has officially declared Branson, MO to be our favorite family vacation spot. We love that it is so close & that there are SO many things to do . . . each time we go, we can do something different which makes it great.

Last weekend we went to Branson with my family & what fun we had! Here we are on the tram to Silver Dollar City - I know my smile looks forced - it was! I was freezing - note the long sleeve shirt & everyone else looks cold too! The weather was incredible but at 9am, a little cool!

We arrived early for the opening ceremony. JM got to meet the Sheriff & received an honorary Sheriff's badge! He thought that was pretty cool.

We got Aunt Holly on the "jumping frogs" hoping Olivia would want to ride - no luck! The rides scared her this year, she just wasn't quite ready.
JM & Papa on the "Hi-Lo Silo". See JM's open mouth expression - what FUN!

Isabelle got daddy, Papa & Aunt Holly to ride the powder keg with her. Kevin looks like it's his first time on the ride - not sure why. . . Holly & Papa didn't know what to expect. 0-60 in 1 second is a VERY fast start!

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We all had a great time on the Ducks - it was very entertaining & very educational. We have gone to Branson every summer for the last 8 years & had never heard many of the historical facts we learned while on the tour. And as a bonus - we got DUCK whistles!

JM & Isabelle got to be Captains on the Duck while on Table Rock Lake.

The kids with "Captain Smiley"

On Saturday morning, Kevin & my dad took the kids trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo. They caught 2 trout by getting JM's line caught in a snag. He got snagged on a bunch of tangled line on the bottom & while pulling that mess up the "caught" 2 fish. They said it was hilarious. My mom & I went shopping & out to lunch at a little tea shop I've always wanted to go eat at. It was all freshly made & absolutely delicious. It was all wonderful, but the homemade Coconut Cream pie (that was still warm) was by far the highlight!

Our hotel had lots of extra perks . . . they had 3 great pools, kayaks, paddle boats, & bikes to check out. The weather was so amazing, but it was just a little cool to make swimming fun!

We went to the Dixie Stampede - they serve an amazing amount of food, most of which our kids didn't even eat because they were so consumed watching all the action. It is definitely a must - we'd never seen the show & hope to be able to go again. There is really so much to see!