Branson Vacation and Ozark State Park

On Saturday we packed up and headed out super early in the morning for Branson. we were in Branson until Thursday then we packed up again and went 2 hours NE to ozark State park.

While in Branson we did as many of the things we could afford and pack into 4 days. Saturday when we got there we found our campground where I was greeted with my name in lights! I won tickets in the campground drawing for Roy Rogers & Dale Evans museum tickets. We would not have picked this museum if we were paying for it but now that I have been there. I can say we would have missed out if we had not gone it was fun and really cool to see. Glad we won and went!

After we found the campground and got settled, we went for a swim in the pool, before we went to the Dixie Stampede! That has to be my favorite! I was looking for a good show and I found one, dinner included. What a tribute to our country and freedom! I think I even teared up a little. Griffin and Halsey were free and I gave Griffin dinner at the camper before we left for the Dixie stampede. Jonathan got his own meal and Halsey ate off of all of our plates. Everyone gets the same meal so it was easy to feed everyone, and I knew Griffin wouldn't like it. after that we stopped at the race track and let the kids do some rides and play a few games. They were wiped out after that so we went back to the camper for baths and bed.

Sunday we went to White water. sorry no pics I didn't take the camera in, since you leave your stuff and walk away. Jonathan rode everything he was tall enough for, even the water slides!

Monday Jonathan woke up and wasn't feeling good so He stayed in bed with the barf bucket and Matt wasn't feeling good either. When Halsey laid down for her nap I took Griffin and we had some one on one time at the good ole McDonald's for lunch and some ice cream. We went back to get Halsey and tried to go swimming but it started raining a little so we went to the Tanger outlet and walked around a little. When we got back it was about dinner time so I made the little ones some dinner and tried to wake up Matt. Jonathan was still not good, and Matt was thinking he needed to go to the doctor. I called around and turns out no one in Branson has heard of our insurance. Skaggs Hospital agreed to take it and file it, I called our insurance co. now it is a waiting game to see it they will follow though with payment. *sigh* turns out it was good we went! Jonathan has a stomach virus and was better by morning. However Matt had Pneumonia and was a day from needing to be admitted for treatment. I was ready to go home that night, but we stuck it out and By morning everyone thought they could handle a little outing. That was the day we went to Silver dollar city, we ended up staying longer than we thought. so it worked out pretty good!

The rest of our trip is under this one. I blogged the trip backwards so it would be in order. because that is how awesome I am!

Silver Dollar City

We went to Silver Dollar City 2 days. I only took pictures on the 1st trip in because the second day I rode rides so I didn't bring anything in to the park I didn't want to get wet or my husband to loose therefore...no camera. Jonathan Woke up feeling better and Matt thought he he would be able to get out too so we made it to SDC on Tuesday, we ended up staying open to close. Good thing I brought both strollers we needed them. 2 little ones in the double jogger and Jonathan in the umbrella, worked out pretty good.

Marble Cave was awesome! I knew I had been there before. There were certain parts I remembered but others not so much...I kept asking Matt, Are you sure we haven't done this before? he would say no and look at me like I was nuts. Later, telling mom the story she said we went as a family when I was 11 or 12. I KNEW I had been there before! I just couldn't place it in the memory bank since these days all things are measured by how old a kid was at the time or who I was pregnant with (lol).

Jonathan didn't get to ride any roller coasters this time, since he had not been feeling good, we didn't think it was a great idea to go shaking up what he could keep down so we just let him do the milder rides and he still had lots of fun. Griffin Screamed and cried all the way through every line, every ride and I found myself explaining to everyone staring as we passed or waited, "it is not torture, he likes the ride, he just gets anxious until it is over then says it was fun, lets do it again!" then we start the wailing all over again.

Halsey was too little for all the rides. However on the last day we did find out they have a thing called "Baby Swap". Everyone waits in line the first time, Jonathan, Griffin and I would take a turn when we got back, Matt and I would trade places and he would go again with the boys while I waited with Halsey. I really wish I had known this the first day. At least the lines were not long. most rides we only waited 15 minutes.

Roy Rogers and Ride the Ducks (DUKW)

Roy Rogers Museum: the kids on the horses at the Roy Rogers museum wearing cowboy and cowgirl hats! Halsey was being a ham this day so i have tons of pics of her in the hat. (saving for her 18 month post tomorrow) The museum was really pretty interesting, all about Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, their careers and life at home with all the kids they had and adopted.

Ride the ducks: Also very interesting. (I think I learned the most here and at the Mable Cave in Silver Dollar City). Jonathan and Griffin both got to be the captain (certificate to prove it) once it got on the water. and yes, oh yes lucky as we are, we are still enjoying the duck whistles!

Horseback Ride

Saturday we got up and headed west. Ok, not really to the wild west but I took Jonathan to the horse ranch next to the campground for a 2 mile trail ride. He was the only one old enough to go with me. He says it was his favorite part of vacation but I think he is just saying that because I was so excited. He was a champ, sore booty and all! It took a little more than an hour, we got to trot a little and it makes me want to ride more.

Fishing

Before heading home on Sunday, we went for a little early morning fishing trip. Even Halsey wanted in on the action! We didnt catch anything this trip but next time we are going to plan ahead and get some worms!

All in all desipite the bad cell phone coverage and a trip to the doctor with the big boys spending all of Monday in bed sick, we had a great vacation and a wonderful time seeing and doing all that we could manage to afford and jam into 8 days.