Branson Trip 2017

After school and work on November 9th, we loaded up and headed for a mini vacation in Branson, Missouri.  We stayed at a nice hotel with an indoor pool and breakfast each morning.  We also shared adjoining rooms with Dad and Mom.

We were all excited Friday morning to get to Silver Dollar City!

The first ride of the day at Silver Dollar City was "Fire In The Hole".  Then a BIG roller coaster called "Powder Keg".  Silas was tall enough to ride this coaster and just couldn't wait to ride another ride....so got on with me, Sarah, and Eric.  This is a FAST moving coaster with lots of drops and turns, unlike anything he has ever ridden.  He was scared silly.  I kept my arm over him to help keep him back against the seat.  He kept saying, "MMmooOMMmmYYyyy!", with HUGE eyes looking around.  It was hilarious!  Later he told us that the "Patty Cake" ride was NOT his favorite.

Below - A little closer up view of our faces before the coaster took off....

He did it!  He may not have loved it, but it is a pretty great coaster.

We all enjoyed all the Christmas lights and decorations all over Silver Dollar City.  We also enjoyed several Christmas shows throughout the day at the park.

Phoebe and Silas rode some rides with Popee and some rides together.

During the Cajun Connection Christmas show Phoebe and Silas got to go on stage and dance with one of the performers.  Eric and I found some mistletoe....

Below, we were waiting in line to ride the Christmas train at Silver Dollar city.

We spent some time in the fireman's ball shooting area and ate some quick dinner while we watched the Christmas light parade before heading back to our hotel for the night.

The next morning after breakfast we went to a John Denver musical tribute show.  Then came back to the hotel for some swimming before eating a quick lunch and heading to our next show.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Sights and Sounds Theatre and watched The Miracle of Christmas show.

I made everyone pose for several pictures near all the pretty Christmas decorations.

Popee and Nanee let Phoebe pick our dinner spot that evening in Branson for a birthday dinner.  She picked Pasghetti's Italian Restaurant.

She picked Pasghetti and one giant meatball for her dinner.  Happy Birthday, Phoebe! 

What a great trip!  Branson in the fall is the best and so are fun times with family.  #memoriesforalifetime #familyselfie

Happy Happy Birthday Phoebe

Phoebe turned 8 the first week in November.  For dinner, that evening, she picked one of her favorite places to eat... IHOP!  She loves to get pancakes there.

She also loves that she gets a huge birthday sundae and the restaurant staff comes out to sing to her... "Happy happy birthday, from all the IHOP crew.  We wish it was our birthday so we could party too!"

Back at home after dinner she opened her gifts.  A very cool ice skating Lego set came in the mail from Uncle Matt.

There was some chapter books and clothes from Daddy and Mommy.

A nice card and super nice handwritten message inside from Sarah, along with a birthday Lego set.

And, Silas gave her the Spirit, Abigail and Boomerang set.

The big gift from Mommy and Daddy was a Lego Summer Swimming Pool set.

Although we weren't very hungry after eating dinner at IHOP, we all still managed to eat a small piece of the birthday cookie cake that Phoebe had requested.

Happy 8th Birthday, to our dear sweet Phoebe Ann!

The next day two more gifts came in the mail... A package with new clothes from Grandma Sharon...

And, a package with colored pencils, a case, and coloring book from Uncle Bret, Aunt Andrea and cousins Ayden and Kallin.

Then the next day, another package came in the mail from Uncle Eric and Aunt Lindsee... A cool Moana Lego set.

Two days after Phoebe's birthday we drove to Branson for a family vacation.  We met Popee and Nanee there.  They had their presents for Phoebe waiting for her in our motel room.

She got a 3 in 1 Lego set, some clothes, American Girl Pets, and $100.  Popee and Nanee like to give our kids some money each year for their birthdays.  This money is used to help pay for sports and other activities that the kids are in throughout the next year.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Popee and Nanee.  Later during our Branson trip, Phoebe got to pick a restaurant for us all to eat at for another special birthday dinner.  She picked Pasgetti's Italian Restaurant.

Happy Happy Birthday, Phoebe!  We all love your sweet caring heart and spirit so much.  You work hard, do your best, and rarely complain.  You are a good helper, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and friend.