Branson July 31 and August 1

Wednesday, July 31st, 2019

Wednesday morning, Eric, EP, the kids, and I got up and went over to tour the Trout Hatchery.

It was interesting, and we saw thousands of Trout of all sizes.

Back at the house Will was sleeping and taking a bath.  He came down with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease while we were there and then Silas caught it.  Once we got home, Phoebe got it too.  They all three had it horribly....red, painful spots all over their hands, feet, faces, bellies, and some in and around their mouths, accompanied by a fever and just not feeling well at all.  A week to two weeks after the spots went away all three of them started losing fingernails and toenails due to the severity of their cases.  IT WAS HORRIBLE.

That afternoon we all went to the Sights and Sounds Theater for a "Backstage Tour" and then stayed to watch the production, "Samson".  While we were at this show, within the first 20 minutes is when Silas really started feeling bad.  I had to make an unannounced quick exit with him, for fear of him getting "sick" right there.  I was not very graceful as I tried to climb over every person in our group, quickly, down the aisle, in the dark, with Silas in tow, as the show was going on around us but we made it out of the theater and into the hallway in time.  He and I spent the rest of the show up in the balcony on the very top row, near an exit.  He felt so hot (fever), and fell asleep leaning on me as I watched the remainder of the show.

The "Backstage Tour" was great.  We got to see dressing rooms, live-animal holding areas, and lots of props for this show and the next season's show - "Noah".

Back at our house that evening we got to enjoy an anniversary dinner with Ernie and Judy, who had driven over from their home to spend a few hours with all of us.

Aunt Judy gave all of us girls a Sunflower necklace.  We made a big production of it and performed "Home On The Range" complete with some can-can leg kicks for the guys amusement.

Thursday, August 1st, 2019

Some of us got up and around early this morning to get to Silver Dollar City for the Flag Ceremony.  This takes place in the town square before the whole park opens for the day.  Veterans are recognized, honored, and asked to line-up and march to the flag pole where they help with the raising of the Untied States of America's flag, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dad went forward with a few others to be recognized for his service to our country.

After the Flag Ceremony we went to ride Time Traveler again...this time with Mom...and Dad.  (**Side note** We liked to tease Mom a little bit about riding the scooter over the wooden bridges... We liked saying it was her favorite ride because when she drove over the wooden planks it would shake her and the scooter like crazy, like she was riding a buck'in bronc!)  Dad does not like spinning rides but he insisted on riding the Time Traveler roller coaster with us.  He regretted that decision right away and for a few hours afterwards too.  Ha!

Above, Dad just sitting on a bench looking miserable after riding Time Traveler.  Mom and I got a good laugh out of this.  Truthfully, I cannot even look at this picture without laughing.  I am laughing even now, as I type this.....

We rode a few rides in the kid area with Will before heading back to the house to get ready to go to the afternoon show in Branson.

Will fell asleep on our way out of SDC with his hand IN his snack container.

Our show for this afternoon was SIX.  This show is put on by six brothers, using six voices.  No instruments.  It was pretty amazing.  Here is the link if you are interested in reading more about this show or purchasing tickets.  LINK - SIX - Click Here.

Will did not go to all of the shows with us.  Lindsee and Eric took turns going to the shows and staying back at the house with Will.  It was EP's turn to attend SIX with all of us.

Later that evening we went back to SDC for some more nighttime entertainment.  We rode water rides, shot water guns at each other, listened to music, watched the fireworks again, and rode some more roller coasters.

The ride below is fun.  Do NOT miss it if you are there during hot summer months.  WARNING!  You WILL get SOAKED!

Most of us liked riding the huge Barn Swing ride (below).

We rode Outlaw Run, a wooden roller coaster, several times in a row.  It is my favorite roller coaster at SDC.

Another great coaster at the park is Powder Keg.

Will fell asleep in his stroller again tonight.  This week has been exhausting for him.  He has been thrown off his normal routine, but has hung on, even though he hasn't felt the best, and been a very good little boy.  He is a joy to be around.  He talks and interacts well with his cousins.

Happy 50th wedding anniversary Mom and Dad!  We are loving our "celebration vacation" with you both!