Post-Vacation Fun!

This is our second annual train outing, and this year we brought friends to share the fun with us!


{Getting ready for the train to arrive!}


{We bowled one game, and Jacob missed beating Camryn for last place by just thiiiiiiis much. Not his sport.}


{We grabbed some pizza for lunch before heading over to the park to play, to the library for a poop break, and to the ice cream shop for some cold treats!}



{After I snapped this picture, Mason told me that his body is meant for the sun. Couldn't agree more, buddy!}



{These girls. One who listens better than the other. The one who doesn't listen so well took a dive in to the fountain. Cowboy boots and all. Sometimes lessons are learned the hard way. Oops!}


{My wet rat waiting for the train to come. Luckily it was warm, the wind was blowing, and their were air dryers in the bathroom. Funnier for us than for her.}

A great day, for sure!

Trippin': Day 7

The long haul home.
We woke up to rain and no running water at the resort, so it made it easier to leave!
But before we could go, we had to celebrate Papa's birthday one last time.



{A silly string send off!}

Then we hit the road for the 8-hour ride home. The kids were all amazing on the trip!


{Ironically, this picture was taken in Normal, Illinois. Nothing normal about these looneys!}

We arrived home with just enough time to eat dinner and head to the park for the police sponsored ice cream social. The perfect way to end a long day on the road!


{Jacob and best buddy Braden. These two are attached like glue. Or like two weirdos holding hands...}

Trippin': Day 6

Our new last full day. And we maximized our time! We started out the morning with that paddle boat ride to the waterfall, only instead of making it all the way to the waterfall we made it all the way to the end of the dock. And then Mason jumped ship and headed back to shore. Oh well...



This little girl became a very brave swimmer, and paddled her way around the lakeshore all morning long...


These boys mastered back flips off the lily pad, and jumped around for close to an hour!





Jacob found this little creature on the bottom of the lake and enjoyed his new pet for the five minutes we let him keep it...


After exhausting our time at the lake, we hit up two of the resort's pools. 90 degree water feels good to me even in 100 degree heat!


Last item on the to-do list: Exploring the cave and nature trail. This is the view of the cave from the cave bar. Drinking alcohol and driving golf carts is ok. Right?


Here is one of the many waterfalls we happened upon. It really was quite a sight to see!

 Mason grumped his way through the tour in Papa's golf cart. Scenery is not this kid's thing...

One more waterfall. Just because...

Then off to meet the rest of the crew for an outdoor dinner at quite possibly one of the most impressive venues I have ever eaten at. The building and surroundings could not have been more beautifully done. And the entertainment. Don't even get me started on that...

And then one more sunset ceremony. Camryn was so excited to see them "shoot off the cantaloupe."

So glad that we extended our stay by a day. Every minute was worth it!

Trippin': Day 5

We spent the day at Silver Dollar City--or as Camryn called it: The Money Park. This is Branson's version of Six Flags. And I believe that because it was exactly 417 degrees outside, that most people with sense stayed home, which is why we never waited more than 10 minutes to get on any ride!
The big boys spent their time going on the puke rides while I hung with my mini in the kid space.



{First ride of the day: The jumping doggies.}


{And then onto the little swings where this girl had the whole ride to herself. We would quickly upgrade to the big swings, which made Camryn giggle. The. Whole. Time.}


{These cousins had a private ride on this bouncy contraption. Camryn remembered this ride from last year's trip to Sea World!}


{We hopped on a hot air ballon ride mostly to cool off a bit!}


{And then on to the tea cups!}



{Camryn's first rollercoaster of the day. Wowza, that was a bumpy ride!}

I had so much fun paling around with my girl, and what was the most fun was taking her on the log run water ride. Think several-story plunge in to the water. We all got soaked, and she loved the thrill! This girl needs to be 42" so that she can do all the big rides!

After we got home we took the kids to a waterfall within the resort where Mason and I plan to paddle boat to.



So beautiful! The attention to detail with everything at this resort is amazing!

Then we led the kids and cousins through a game of putt putt golf where Camryn took off as soon as she saw a playground, Mason took about 40 swings per hole, and Jacob quit because "everyone is in my way, and I can't hit the ball."

{Before we got started. We should have just quit at that point!}

{Camryn found it more fun to become one with her surroundings rather than actually golf. Here she is walking barefoot through a stream.}

{And the infamous hole where Jacob lost his cool. This is how the girls preferred to golf. Just think of them as human windmills.}

Another exhausting and fun day in the books!

Trippin': Day 4

We rented a pontoon for half of the day where we explored the lake.




{We found this very tall cliff to jump off of. The boys loved it, and will now be very bored with traditional diving boards.}





{Of course the kids tested their skills at tubing...}


{... and fishing...}


{... and looking cute on the boat!}

We spent half of our outing in Arkansas. Here is a picture to prove it. Fancy sign.


Of all the crazy things we were able to cram in to a 4-hour boat trip, I don't know which part was most impressive to me: Camryn swimming in lake water, or Mason pooping in it...





And then back to the lazy river for the second half of our day...


{Fitting for Mason.}

Then Grandma and Papa kept the kids alive long enough for us to grab dinner with my sister- and brother-in-law. The company was great, the food was great, and the view was amazing! We were even there for a sunset bagpipe ceremony where they set off a canon as the sun sank in to the water. So cool!





This has been such a great trip that Caleb got work to cover him an extra day so we could extend our vacation! Well played!

Trippin' Day 3

Today we explored the resort, and all of the activities they offer. It's an outdoorsman's dream!

We took a canoe ride to a waterfall with Jacob. So pretty!






Then the kids signed up for a fishing tournament where no one caught "the big one" or any ones...








We swam near the lake beach and checked out the lazy river before hopping aboard jet skis for a spin around the big lake!



{Mason does cartwheels wherever he goes. Including in the water!}








{The kids loved the jet skis! Mason said it was his favorite part of the trip so far, and Camryn liked it too--although she said she probably doesn't need to go on one again...}

We finished off the day with a trip to the arcade where the boys took these flipping bumper cars for a spin. They literally flip and spin when you get bumped. Nauseating!


Then we all took a spin on a more traditional bumper car. Camryn shrieked the entire ride. And then she had to go on it one more time!


A fun day spent exploring the resort!