Branson

We were fortunate to get to purchase two nights from a friend's time share that is part of big cedar lodge.  We went July 16-18 and had a great time.

Traveling with mommy's sunglasses and passy.
Our first stop was on the way at Lambert's outside of Springfield for an early lunch.  The kids loved eat the rolls as much as they loved the fact that they threw them.

Our place was great.  The kids could have just hung out there.  We brought a couple meals to cook and eat there and they loved it.  Plus the whirlpool tub and the fireplace (yes Cole was insistent on the fire place even thought it was July).   We sat on the balcony and watched squirrels and birds fight.  It was gorgeous.  Plus it was unseasonable cool when we were there.

I didn't take pictures as I didn't take my phone or camera down to the beach area.  But that is where we headed first and actually went to many times.  The kids loved playing in the sand, wading or swimming in the lake, we took paddle boats out (all of us on two), the big kids and Shannon took a canoe out and loved that.  We went to the smores by the campfire.  Shannon took the big kids to the dive in movie while Cole and I hung out and snuggled in the room since it didn't start till dark and they were late but excited!  We went to the lazy river, swim in the indoor pool, the 4 outdoor pools, played the mini-golf course, and probably more I am not thinking of right now.  One funny thing was that we had taken a big bag of sand toys and while the bigs and Shannon were on the canoe Cole and I let a family use a lot of the toys.  After we were all eating lunch at the picnic area by the beach and they shared their enormous watermelon with us - said they got it off a truck at a gas station in Louisiana!

waiting on the bus - they loved riding it.

walking around the beautiful area after breakfast:

On the mini golf course:

Across the pond Shannon is with Callie and Chase as they participate in a fishing derby:

Cole on his pony ride.  He wanted no part of it at first and I really didn't think he was going to do it.  But after he got on, he loved it!!!!

 

 

After playing bingo they needed to pose on our way out:

More mini golf:

Cole was a trooper and while he couldn't always keep up he would just hang out and rest or sleep:

While the others swam and swam:

 

The hot tub after dark is always fun:

Or the whirlpool tub in your room.

Callie on her pony ride:

 

  And Chase on his:

Keeping him entertained so he didn't have a fit he couldn't go again!

Taking a nature trail for a ways since the weather was so nice:

We did go into Branson on night for super and then when we left big ceder lodge on Friday we headed in to Branson to eat an extremely late lunch and then ride the ducks.  The kids loved that.  Chase was all about the military history and the military vehicles.  We were the last to load our duck so Callie and Shannon sat in the first seats while the boys and I sat in the last seats.  It was a big hit though.

 

Even though we had to wait quite a while:

  Callie got to drive:

 

Them in the front, us in the back.

  Chase got to drive:

We got back late and then Shannon's cousin got married on Saturday.  At the wedding Chase fell on the dance floor hitting the back of his head.  I took the boys home and Shannon and Callie came later with his brother.  Chase ended up vomiting.   He was fine but isn't that crazy!!!