Branson Family Vacation 2013

The Groats and Mom and Dad caravanned down to Branson Sunday morning with all the kids, at about the same time Matthew and I were leaving Davenport.  Our view, driving along the eastern part of the state was much different than the one we usually have driving in the middle of the state.  Lots of trees, hills, and windy, skinny roads.  We arrived at Stormy Point Village at about the same time though, and finished getting checked in.  Because of some complications, we had to get an extra house, not far walking distance from Mom and Dad's.  It was a 3-bedroom, really roomy and nice so Matthew and I took the 6 kids and Mom and Dad and Shannon and Steve stayed in the 2-bedroom.  It was nice to have the extra space, but I missed the closeness and opportunities for conversation that you get when staying all together.

We all agreed to go to was the Butterfly Palace on Monday.  It had a small rainforest animal room with snakes, lizards, fish, and insects.  It had a mirror maze and bungee cord maze that were especially fun for the kids to try to find their way around.  On the top floor we went through three sets of double doors to a large butterfly garden.  The kids enjoyed putting on safari hats and looking closely at the butterflies with magnifying glasses.  Lanie and I learned, "Butterflies don't have noses" and talked about what that means:)

Monday night we packed up and went down by the river to Branson Landing.  They have a water fountain light and music show at 7 and 8pm.  We caught 2 songs from the 7 and then walked around the shops for a while waiting for the 8pm.  Matthew couldn't resist salt water taffy at the candy store:)

Tuesday morning, Mom and Dad and us went to the Twelve Irish Tenors show and the Groats went to an Imax movie.  Our show was lots of fun, great singing, dancing, and laughing.  They sang all kinds of songs from old Irish songs to Lionel Richie.  It was neat to hear where they were from in Ireland and think back to our trip last year.  That afternoon just the 4 of us took off to go walk around Branson.  We went to a shopping place called the Grand Shoppe Village and enjoyed just being outside and looking around.  We stopped at a restaurant called "Hard Luck Cafe" with singing servers and "accidentally" got this 6-scoop icecream sundae.  We weren't able to finish even half of it.

Tuesday night we went back to the Dixie Stampede, even though we were there 2 years ago.  The show had changed a lot, even more songs and races, the food was still amazing and lasted us through 2 meals:)

It was hard to say goodbye to everyone Wednesday morning after such a short trip, but we were happy that we got to take as much time as we did.  Lanie was great on the way home, Matthew and I took turns sitting in the back with her.  Carter stayed in Branson with everyone else and really enjoyed that independence and time alone with Grandma and Papa.  Time to get out a map and decide where to go next year:)