Family Vacay Details

I would have to say our "first" family vacation was a great success. We really enjoyed ourselves and made the most out of everyday.

It was so much fun seeing how excited Christopher got about each activity even if it was just hanging around the hotel with his Grandma and Grandad. I have to say he had a blast. He kept asking at the end of each day what was next - meaning what fun thing are we doing tomorrow :) We totally disregarded his normal routine, i.e. nap times, but for the most part he stayed pretty well behaved. However, I think we paid for it when we got back with an EPIC tantrum - the worst yet. I will not go into any details as I am still trying to forget it four days later.

Mikayla seemed to enjoy it as well. I would say the worst part of the trip was watching her beginning to pull and scoot herself around on the hotel room carpet - ick! But, what can you do the girl was ready to move and no one was going to stop her. She was a trooper everywhere we went and just chilled and enjoyed all the activity around her.

So what did we do? Well, I wish I had more pictures ... but I don't. I need to get better at this as I am throughly regretting not having more pictures than I do - the lack of pictures is actually kind of pathetic. Here is what we did:

Sunday: Began our drive at about 5:45 a.m. - officially on the road after a coffee stop. We then stopped outside of Rolla, MO for a visit at my Aunt and Uncle's organic dairy farm, Greenwood Farms. I was able to see a lot of family I haven't seen in several years and meet one of my cousins, his wife and nine month old daughter I have never met. Their farm is quite remarkable. Christopher, Mike and I got a tour of their barn where they had calves, chickens and ducks. Christopher's response to this was I don't like this can we leave. So off to the river where there is a nice sand bar and plenty of rocks to be thrown in the river. This was Christopher's favorite part. At one point, I asked him if he wanted to take off his shoes and walk in the river and he promptly asked me "Why?" and then continued throwing rocks. A true city boy in the making. We then went to their dairy barn and saw where they milk their cows, how they bottle their raw milk, and where they make cheese. It's really a neat operation. Of course, I have no pictures but if you would like to see their farm here is their web site: http://www.greenwoodfarms.com/.

Monday: We thought it would be fun to go to a Springfield Cardinals game. Christopher's buddies at school all talk about Brewer's games and Christopher always asks to go but we just aren't ready to take a 3 year old to a professional sporting event. So off to Springfield we went. It was a lot fun. We were able to get really close seats. Christopher wanted to be on the field and play and Mikayla slept. But we had a blast and I even picked up some Pineapple Whip on the way home :).

Tuesday: We made another trip to Springfield to visit my Aunt and Uncle and my grandmother, Nannah, and Ira. It was a great visit and I was able to learn some family history from Nannah and Christopher loved being the center of attention. When we got back to Branson their was a surprise waiting for us, Mike's Mom came into town.

Wednesday: Golf day for Mike. So I golfed with Mike - sort of. Luckily, we got put with another twosome - father and son - that was in a relaxed mood. They didn't mind my whatever attitude and the father even said I would be a good golfer if I had someone work with me and I practiced. I don't see that happening anytime soon - sorry Mike. In the evening, we all went down to Branson Landing and Christopher made his very own McQueen car.

Thursday: This was the day I was most excited for - Silver Dollar City. I have great memories of going to Silver Dollar City and having a blast, what I don't remember is all the hills! It is so difficult to push a double stroller around there. Christopher road two adult rides, RiverBlast and Lost River. He then enjoyed some kid rides and shooting the air guns in the foam world. Mike and I got to ride Fire in the Hole, Wildfire and Powder Keg. Powder Keg was our favorite. I think we all had fun, except Grandad. It was REALLY hot that day - over 100. We ended the day with a Luau at the restaurant at the resort. It was a great time and Christopher volunteered himself to do the hula with the dancers. So cute! I hope to be able to post the video of it soon!

Friday: We made a last minute decision to go to White Water. Mike and I had such a fun time riding the roller coasters at Silver Dollar City we decided to go to the water park too. We took Christopher with us, thinking we might come back in the afternoon without him. Well, Christopher had a blast in the wave pool and lazy river, but did not want to ride any rides. I was disappointed because I really wanted to ride some rides and there were a couple Christopher could go on. He wasn't having it. So we hung out in the wave pool and lazy river, but had a blast with him. We didn't make it back. It was really hot again and we were both wiped after the morning trip. No pictures again!

Saturday: We made the long trip home getting up at 4 a.m. and arrived home at about 6:30 p.m.!

It was a fantastic "first" family vacation. I just wish I would have taken more pictures - lesson learned!