Vacation in Branson, MO (August 2016)

This past week, we took a family vacation to Branson, MO, our first family vacation. We wanted something fairly close to home because we were not sure how the kids would do on a long road trip. My niece joined us on the trip to help with babysitting the kids while we had adult time, so to make sure we had enough room to travel, we rented a minivan. The kids thought this was the coolest thing ever and loved pushing the button to shut the door every time they got out. They also loved the built in DVD player (we didn't like that as much as it made for a long drive listening to movie after movie).  After we returned it, they said they were sad they didn't have the minivan anymore. The space was nice, but I'm still not sure I could own one!

Our ride for the time while we were on vacation.

I want to thank Dave's aunt and uncle for allowing us to use their condo for the week during our stay. This was excellent because we could cook most of our meals at the condo, the kids could use the pool, and most of all it felt like a little house to them! We can't thank them enough.  If you're going to Branson, be sure to check out the Pointe Royale Condominiums!

On a whim, we decided to start are trip a day early and spend some time in Kansas City, this also allowed my 15 year old niece to get all the KC filters on Snap Chat (she's really into Snap Chat). So, we found a hotel and headed down on Saturday afternoon. Once we checked into our hotel, we went to eat dinner at T-Rex Cafe. The kids loved it, but at first they were not sure what to think about the large dinosaurs inside. I told our waitress that it was Ryan's birthday the week before and they brought him a cupcake out! He said, but I don't want them to sing Happy Birthday to me. Well, he didn't have a choice once I told them.

Not sure what to think of them singing Happy Birthday

Katelyn and Caroline at T-Rex

Dave and Caroline

After we were finished eating we went shopping at the Legends Outlet Mall in Kansas City. We didn't find any deals, but we made sure to take advantage of the great weather.

Me, Caroline and Katelyn in the shopping area

On Sunday morning, we took our time getting ready since it was raining in Kansas City. We wanted to show Katelyn the KC Royals and KC Chiefs stadium, but there was a baseball game early that day so it didn't work to get by the stadium for a photo.

For lunch we went to Fritz's Railroad Restaurant in Crown Center. My brother, nephew and his girlfriend and her daughter were meeting us in KC before we made the final decent to Branson. We stopped to get a few photos while waiting for them to arrive.

Riding the train, but getting him to look at the camera is impossible. 

After my brother and family arrived, we headed to lunch at Fritz's. The kids loved to watch the train deliver the food. The best part is, it was kind of noisy so the kids getting restless because they were hungry wasn't a bother to others around us.

The train coming to drop the food on the tray, which lowers down to the table once it is delivered.

Caroline pretending to call the food order in. 

Our group photo, minus my brother Ray. 

Dave and I loving our hats from Fritz's

The best photo we have and none of them are looking. 

After we finished with lunch, we had to take a group photo near the Lego's, which were in the atrium of the building.

Ryan didn't want to smile for the camera, obviously. 

A group selfie

Katelyn with Carolyn's daughter

Me with my little girl

Me with my favorite niece

After the selfie's we headed to the car to make the rest of the trip to Branson. My brother made sure to get a Snap Chat of our van as it made him laugh with the Texas license plates and all.

After we left KC, we made a quick stop to the original Bass Pro Shops in Springfield since it was raining. I stayed in the car most of the time as Caroline fell asleep. The guys seemed to have fun touring the large store.

Once we arrived to Branson, it was later in the afternoon so we just made our first meal at the condo and took it easy that night. The next morning, we waited until it quit raining and met my brother at the fish hatchery. The kids loved feeding the fish.

The fish hatcheries and the dam

Dave helping Ryan feed the fish

The kids enjoying feeding the fish. 

Bending down to get a closer look. 

After we left the hatchery, we headed to a lookout area. It was beautiful because we could see all of Branson!

View of Lake Toneycomo 

View from the lookout area

My niece and I

We got everyone to look, but Ryan isn't smiling! 

Ray, Carolyn, me and Dave

After we left the lookout area, we headed back to the condo to go swimming. We had to swim as much as possible so the kids could show us what they learned from swimming lessons.

Working on our tan before winter

At least he's getting his head wet

Ryan, Dave and I - Caroline refused to be in the photo 

Working on swimming with her floaties...

A snack does a body good! 

Katelyn with Ryan and Caroline

By the end of the day, she was jumping in alone, by the end of the trip, so was Ryan!

After we finished swimming, we headed back to the condo to cook dinner. We quickly got cleaned up and met my brother and his family at Dinosaur Canyon Mini Golf.

My niece trying to get a hole in one

One of Katelyn's many snapchats! 

Caroline concentrating 

He wanted to touch the dinosaur's eye so bad!  

Dave and I

The beautiful sunset as we finished up golfing

After golfing, it was quite late so we headed back to get the kids to sleep as we had a big day on Tuesday. When we woke up on Tuesday, we ate breakfast and headed to ride the ducks. The kids weren't sure what to think of a bus that could drive on the road and in water.

"Gloria" The beauty we got to ride on

They look so excited

 

Katelyn with the duck driver

Ryan driving the duck

Katelyn driving the duck

Caroline, Ryan, Katelyn and I

Our little family

Caroline driving the duck

After we finished riding the ducks, we headed back to cook lunch. Dave thought it would be a good idea to enjoy lunch outdoors. What we didn't realize is, there are millions of flies at our picnic area (they showed up when the food arrived). And when you cook food outdoors, they congregate to where you are eating. Despite the flies, this was a fun picnic experience!

The kids enjoying lunch with the flies

The kids enjoying the sandbox since I will never allow them to have one at home. 

After lunch we went and enjoyed more time at the pool. Ray and his family joined us for a little while too.

At least he sat and smiled for a photo 

The kids and their floaties

The kid was sick of selfie's by the end of vacation

Later that evening we went out as adults and enjoyed the Branson Landing! It was beautiful weather, but humid. Wow, I didn't realize Missouri had weather that was like 100% humidity every day.

Screenshot of the hubby and I from snapchat - excuse the paper and letter T

The fountains that played to three different songs at 7 p.m.

Carolyn and Ray at the Branson Landing

My amazing hubby and I

After we finishing watching the fountains, we went to do a little shopping. There was a cute little shopping area near the landing.

After our shopping adventure, we headed to go ride the go carts. I didn't ride them since my shoulder was bothering me and I didn't want to make it worse. However, Carolyn kept right up with the guys for the most part.

Ray, Carolyn and Dave trying to look tough

Dave is ready for this race

Ray showing the peace sign before the race 

Carolyn is excited to race 

Let's do this is what they are thinking

It was extremely difficult to get clear photos of them while racing. Their cars went about 35 MPH.

Carolyn is beating Ray by just a bit. He's more worried about waving to me for a photo. 

Dave is beating Ray and he's giving me a thumbs up. 

After they finished racing, we headed to Andy's Frozen Custard to enjoy some ice cream. This ice cream was absolutely delicious, but it certainly wasn't good for my diet. I figured, if I'm going to eat ice cream, I might as well go all out so I ordered the brownie sundae.

The delicious menu

Our delicious treats. Can you tell we got some sun? 

Ray and Carolyn about to enjoy their delicious ice cream.

The next morning, Ryan woke up early so him and I went for a walk so we didn't wake Caroline and Dave up. We just took an umbrella stroller because of space so I couldn't run, which was probably okay because Branson is extremely hilly.

The little man enjoying his stroller ride

After we got back, we quickly got ready! The girls headed out on their adventures for the day and the boys did their own thing. The girls started out their day with pedicures. Caroline has has too many pedicures for her young age, but this was Carolyn's daughter's first pedicure experience. It was so fun to watch both of them get excited about their paint colors.

This little girl loves selfies

We are all enjoying our pedicures

Not sure what type of conversation they had going on while their toes were drying, but they were sure chatting away.

Drying her fingers, which only lasted a few days (or hours).

Enjoying her manicure

After we finished with our pedicures, we headed to eat lunch at Ruby Tuesday's and then went shopping at the Tanger Outlets. I got a few good deals, which was nice! Plus, we wore the kids out, which was even better.

The guys enjoyed their day by riding on the bumper boats, go carts, and the arcade area. What Dave and I learned is, we need to be worried about Ryan when he can drive. He absolutely loved the fast go carts!

Ben and Ryan loving the motorcycle

Ryan's excitement after the bumper boats (he got to run the squirt gun)!

Ray and Ben after the bumper boats

He's so excited for it to go fast

Cousins and best buddies

Ray and Ben ready to race

Ryan and Dave in Lake Taneycomo. The water was about 48 degrees.

Ray and Ben in Lake Taneycomo

Later that evening, we all headed down to the Branson Landing area to show the kids the fountains. It was humid, but the kids seemed to have a great time.

The kids had to get a photo with the train for Grandpa Wilwerding

My amazing family

They had to ride in police car and on Barney's Tractor!

So excited about the "race car"

Ray and his cute family.

Just before Carolyn and Katelyn took off on the zip line.

Carolyn and Katelyn coming in after zipping across the water. 

After we finished at the landing area, we headed to Andy's Frozen Custard so the kids could enjoy the deliciousness. I just ordered plain chocolate ice cream this time around.

Pretty sure Caroline is enjoying her ice cream.

On Thursday, we enjoyed a relaxing day at the pool and then we headed to the Dixie Stampede in the afternoon. The kids absolutely loved the show and watching what they train the horses to do is amazing.

The girls by the beautiful horse as they called it. 

The kids enjoying their lemonade and popcorn during the pre-show.

Balancing an 8 foot ladder on his chin

Our family selfie - Caroline is excited, can you tell? 

She balanced one leg on each horse while they jumped through fire.

Ryan loved when the horses chased the cows.

After the show, we headed to ride on the go carts one more time and the Ferris wheel. The views from the Ferris wheel were absolutely amazing. Katelyn was going to drive Ryan around, but she didn't have a drivers license so I had to take him. He had fun racing Daddy and Caroline, and of course we beat them (because they let us).

The kids were less than impressed with the expensive ride to the top.

Dave and I near the top. 

After we finished our fun for the evening, we headed home to tuck the kiddos in bed. The next morning we would make the seven hour trip back home. After we got everything packed up and hit the road, we had to stop and see Lightning McQueen and Mater. As you can see from the photo, Ryan was curious with what was in Mater's mouth.

This was our first family vacation with the kids, by all accounts it was an amazing success and the kids were awesome the whole week, we look forward to many more fun family adventures for years to come!