Branson Trip

On Wednesday, October 26th, after school and work, we loaded up and headed to Branson, Missouri.  It had been a few years since we had been and we had never taken the kids there in the fall.  The hills of Missouri and Arkansas are beautiful in the fall.  I always look forward to trips to either of these places during my favorite season!  We had been planning this trip since last spring.  My parents were meeting us there to spend a few days.  We arrived late Wednesday night to our motel.  Dad and Mom had gotten there earlier that day and were already checked in and waiting for us.  We had adjoining rooms so we could pass back and forth from room to room easily.  Silas started out our trip sleeping in Popee and Nanee's room the first two nights.  On the first night when we got there he was excited!  It was hard for him to calm down and go to bed... Popee started off in one of the beds with him until they both fell asleep.

Day One

On Thursday morning we woke up, got dressed, and walked over to eat breakfast in the commons area of our motel.  Everyone was excited to get our day going.

After breakfast we headed to Silver Dollar City for the day!  We were there during the last few days of the National Crafts and Cowboy Festival (Sept. 13th - Oct. 28th).  Their next big festival is the fantastic Old Time Christmas (Nov. 5th - Dec. 30th)

The first ride of the day at Silver Dollar City was the roller coaster called Thunderation.  All five of us rode it together.  This was Phoebe and Silas's first big roller coaster to ever ride.  They both were a little nervous and wide-eyed throughout the ride, but told us they liked riding it.

The next ride we all went on was the Old Mine Ride.  There are targets placed all over throughout this ride that riders pretend to shoot at.  They are laser guns and when you hit the targets each gun records the operators points.  It is always fun to see who has the highest score at the end of this ride.

The kids rode several more smaller rides throughout the day.

We all enjoyed several shows throughout the park.  A favorite is always the Saloon Show.  The kids especially liked this and laughed out loud several times at the silly jokes and actions of the performers.

One of Eric's favorite rides at Silver Dollar City is the big Barn Swing.  He talked Sarah into riding it a couple times with him.

Sarah rode all the big roller coasters at Silver Dollar City that day with us.  I wasn't sure if she would like them all, but she gave them each a go.  Phoebe was too short for all of them except Thunderation.  I don't think she would have liked the others too much yet.  Maybe next time.

Outlaw run is one of the best roller coasters I have ever ridden.  It is a giant wooden roller coaster that barrel rolls toward the end of the ride.  It is the second fastest wood roller coaster in the world, reaching top speeds of 68 mph.  During its debut Outlaw Run was the world's steepest wood coaster with a first drop of 162 feet (more than 16 stories) at 81 degrees.

We sat up front in the first two rows at the Cajun Connection show.  It was lively with talented and fun musicians and singers.

Our kids and another little girl all got to go up on the stage and dance to one Cajun song.

Phoebe even got Popee to ride the tiny children's roller coaster with her in the childrens rides area.

What was your favorite ride/show at Silver Dollar City?

* Eric:  "My favorite show was the evening show.  A group called Spoken 4 was performing.  Not only were they good singers, that reminded me of the Oak Ridge Boys, they preached a very good message about Jesus.  It is nice to hear this anywhere but especially at a large theme park.  My favorite ride was the large Barn Swing."

* Stacee:  "My favorite ride was the roller coaster, Outlaw run.  I also always like the train ride around the park and the show during the train ride by the train robbers Alfie and Ralphie.  My favorite shows are the Saloon Show and Gospel Music shows.  The music and atmoshpere at Silver Dollar City are always fun and welcoming.  I love this family oriented, old fashioned theme park."

* Sarah:  "I liked the Mine Ride because we got to ride in a boat and shoot things.  I liked the train ride because it was funny.  I also liked all of the roller coasters."

* Phoebe:  "The kid roller coaster because it doesn't make my tummy hurt and it wasn't that high.  I liked Fire In The Hole because at the end it sprayed water at us."

* Silas:  "I liked Thunderation and the Mine Ride the best.  The Mine Ride was really good because I got a lot of targets.  I did not like Fire In The Hole because my eyes were opened and I was scared.  I did not like the guy at the end with the bucket but next time when I wanna ride it when I hear those sounds when we go by I'm gonna close my eyes and look up, but my eyes are really closed.  I liked the twistes and turns but it was so dark I couldn't see the twistes and turns.  One baldknobbler was trying to shoot something.  He had a black mask on."

Day Two

After eating breakfast we checked out of our first motel and headed to a big fun motel for our next two nights... The Grand Country Resort with an indoor water park.  This was a special treat from Popee and Nanee to get to stay and play there.  After checking in, we walked all around the resort looking at all the fun things we could do and see over the next few days at the resort.  Then we went down to The Landing, near downtown Branson, and looked around Bass Pro Shops and at the big water fountains for a couple hours.

That afternoon we had tickets to see Moses at the Sight and Sound Theatre.  I had been looking forward to this since purchasing the tickets for us all back in May.  I had heard amazing things about the Sight and Sound Theatre, its productions, and Moses.  I had high expectations and I was not let down.

(From the Sight and Sound Theatre website) The parting of the Red Sea... the Burning Bush... the Plagues... the Ten Commandments... finally... the greatest Biblical epic of the Old Testament comes to life on the Sight and Sound stage in Branson, MO - MOSES!  Journey back through time and relive the golden splendor and pride of ancient Egypt, the poverty and oppression of the Hebrew slaves and the humble, broken man that God raised up to become their deliverer.  This incredible adventure is like none other for this is when God breaks into history and reveals who He is and that He has come to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free!

Moses was phenomenal!  From the actors to the live animals, to the gigantic wrap-around stage, the set and props, the story of Moses came to life in front of our eyes.  This was a show for all ages.  A true story that all should see, hear, and experience.  

It doesn't seem that Eric and I get many pictures together of just the two of us anymore,  who knew that when you have kids they become the focus of your camera... Branson, you look good on us!

After the show, we headed back to motel for a couple of hours of some swimming fun in the indoor water park area.  Then later that night, after swimming we went to a "Party" in the arcade area of our motel where we played lots of games to earn tickets for prizes.  We stayed until midnight playing games and having fun together.

Below you can see what TIRED looks like in Branson!  What a long - fun day!

Day Three

Saturday morning started out with a few more hours spent at the indoor water park.

The water park was a lot of fun.  There were two water slides, a lazy river, and a smaller kids area with little slides and shallow water, and two larger hot tubs.  There was also a pool with a basketball court, and large water climbing area with water guns, buckets, and hoses.  On top of the climbing area there was the biggest bucket I have ever seen.  This bucket filled with water and then poured out every 10 minutes or so.  As a bell started to ring a warning, you could watch as a small crowd of adults and children would gather below to stand in the rushing downpour.  Our kids especially enjoyed rushing over when the bell would begin to ding and anxiously waiting for the water to be dumped out on them.

Wait for it.  Wait for it.  Here comes another downpour, girls!!!!  So refreshing.

We decided to try and capture a picture of our whole family standing in the downpour.... I know swimming suit pictures are not always flattering of the everyday person, but hang on, this is my blog and I am going there.  My Mom captured these two pictures of us standing and waiting and then the after picture of us laughing about the water dumping on us... I thought it was especially funny when we zoomed the two pictures in and looked at our expressions and Silas trying to climb Eric's leg....

Below, two more of the girls getting dumped on...Sarah is right in it getting a total shower!

Thanks Popee and Nanee!  We had a super fun time at this motel and the indoor water park!

After lunch we went back to the arcade area for about an hour and played a few more games.

Then Saturday evening we all went to the Dixie Stampede.  It was their opening night of Christmas at the Dixie Stampede, so we were in for a Christmas competition while we ate our yummy dinner.

We arrived early so that we could see the horses in their stalls and watch the pre-show before entering into the arena and taking our seats.

During the pre-show our kids got to enjoy a special slushie drink from a souvenir boot cup, thanks to Popee and Nanee.

Our seats were located in the "South" section of the arena, which meant we were cheering for the South Pole team during the dinner competition.  There were many beautiful horses and talented riders that performed in the show.

We each were served a four-course meal.  There was a cheesy biscuit, soup, a whole Cornish game hen, a slice of pork, corn-on-the-cob, a seasoned sliced potato, and an apple turn-over.  Also pop, lemonade, or water, and coffee to drink.  It was a lot of good food.  Towards the end of the meal we were thankful for some to go bags... Eric usually eats up what our kids can't eat, but not this time... He just couldn't eat anymore.  All servings are the same size, no kid or smaller sized servings.

During the North Pole versus the South Pole competition there was a break to tell the REAL Christmas story of Jesus's birth.

Merry EARLY Christmas from us, at the Dixie Stampede!

 Day Four

On our way out of town on Sunday morning we pulled into the car museum to look at a few cool cars in their parking lot.  Silas is always excited to see a real Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen!

And, I was excited to see the Ghostbusters car.  Our kids have not seen any of the Ghostbusters movies, but still stood by it for a picture.  I guess I should have had them take my picture by it instead.

We all had a fantastic time in Branson.  It was a fun four days with perfect fall weather.  Thanks Mom and Dad for having fun with us in Missouri.  It was a great trip!