Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Silver Dollar City!!!

Well, we had a fantastic vacation in Branson with my WHOLE family!!! We left last Wednesday and we came home on Sunday. This is the absolute BEST time of year to go to Branson, all of their Christmas lights are up and to say they are amazing is an understatement- you just need to go see them for yourselves. The weather was pretty nice, at least the two days we went to Silver Dollar City, so we got pretty lucky. It was also nice not having a big crowd at Silver Dollar City, our kiddos got to go on the rides, see Santa, and the parade without having huge crowds all around them. We went with nine adults and eight kiddos (six and under), but we wouldn't have it any other way, we love to all be together. We did miss Uncle Bert, he couldn't make this trip with us. My parents have gone the last couple of years during this time of year and were excited to show their grand kids all the Christmas decorations, let's just say the kids were extremely excited and didn't want to leave! Coop still talks about going "back to the camping", we stayed in cabins so I guess he thought we were camping! ;) I posted a ton of pics from our Silver Dollar City trip and I will post more pics in a few days from our other adventures while in Branson. Enjoy!


My adorable family posing in front of one of the "old time houses" at Silver Dollar City.

The men had too much fun checking out this all leather shop, Josh even enjoyed trying on a leather-camo hat! Perfect for hunting!

Cooper liked trying on the hats also.

The kiddos really enjoyed the Frosty show at SDC, they were all invited on stage, guess who didn't go with them? Yep- Lily!! :)

These two cuties got to spend a lot of time with Aunt Annie and Aunt Katie (okay so I know Katie is not Ryder's aunt), while everyone rode rides. I love to ride roller coasters, so it was hard to sit back and watch, but when you are pregnant there's not much else you can do! The guys had too much fun riding roller coaster after roller coaster. Another plus about going this time of year, no long lines for the big coasters!!

We saw The Christmas Carol while we were at SDC, Josh made me take this pic of his niece and nephew loving on him. It's rare for Ryder to let Uncle Josh hold him so Josh was pretty excited. I wish I would have taken a pic of Ben loving on his Uncle Josh, it is crazy but that kid LOVES his Uncle Josh!

Max, Sam, Ella, Emily, and Lily are ready to ride some rides!

Coop and Josh enjoying an exciting ride on a butterfly!

This was Lily's favorite ride, it hopped up and down like a frog!
Lily and Cooper sure love their Mimi and Pa.
Okay, so I wanted one pic of me and my kids in front of the giant Christmas tree, I just didn't know how GIANT I would look in this pic! I have lots of work ahead of me after our baby girl gets here!!!
There was a parade each evening at SDC, the lights were absolutely beautiful. Here is the last float on the parade line, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coop and Ella getting some love from a light up Gingerbread Man, or what Cooper calls him "that teddy bear!"
Some of our crew watching the parade. Lily really enjoyed the parade, but when the characters came up for a high five or hand shake, off she flew to safety!
Cooper waved and shouted to everyone who walked by. I wish I would have been standing on the other side to take this pic, oh well!!
I am sure once my mom and sisters get around to posting their pics (hint, hint) you will see many of the same pics, but some new ones for sure!
*Update on the pregnancy: Getting bigger everyday, have now passed the weight I was when I HAD Coop and I have two months left, oh and also I have now passed 2 kidney stones!!!!!! Seriously people, what is up with me and kidney stones, I had 5 with Coop, I sure hope I don't beat that record!

10 comments:

Shannon said...

I love SDC at Christmas time! I miss it! Looks like you guys had a ton of fun - so good to do family things!

Samantha said...

looks like ya'll had fun. and you don't even look pregnant in that pic (the warm-up hides it well!)
good luck in the next 2 months!

Pambo said...

Kidney stones! Yipes! The 2nd sickest I've ever been is when I had a kidney infection. They are brutal! Love the photos - explains why I was missing Miss Lily Sunday. I did Sunday School and Children's Church so I missed her double! Looks like you had a lot of fun. I love the Christmas Carol show and SDC is beautiful this time of year.

Leslie said...

You all look like you had a wonderful time! And you look very cute with your kiddos in that photo!!

laura said...

looks like alot of fun. I'm sure Elijah is glad to have his Cooper back:)

Anonymous said...

I love Branson, especially SDC. My family goes up there all the time. I love the picture of Josh crammed into the back of that butterfly. What a great dad. Also, that tall "toy soldier" guy in the last pic, his name is Larry. I went to high school with him. He's 7 feet tall, or as he tells everyone who asks, "6-foot 12-inches", and trust me, everyone asks. :)

Jillian said...

I love SDC!! It is really the best time of year to experience it. It looks like you all had a great time! Good luck in your next two months...kidney stones are no fun, I hope you don't get any more!

The Garvie Family said...

I love all the pictures! I've never been to Branson during the holidays...after looking how much fun you guys had, I think we need to schedule a trip.

Mom's Club said...

hey, fun pictures!! lily looks like your mom in that picture of them with your kids. looks like you guys had lots of fun!!
more kidney stones, girlie...goodness. it will all be over soon and you will have another beautiful little girl to hold and love!

Ashlee Osborn said...

I enjoyed seeing all of the pictures from your vacation...you have such a cute family (you included). And, kidney stones?! Yowzers! That makes me hurt just reading about it.