Spring Break Branson Trip Recap Day 2

After we woke up and got ready, we headed to Billy Gail's for breakfast.  The pancakes are ginormous and hang over the plate.  This is a great breakfast place, but tends to get very busy.   

After we stuffed our bellies, we headed to Silver Dollar City.  It was so cold.  It was in the 30's, but we were hoping it would warm up.  It was so cold, the roller coasters were not running.  Sister was not feeling the cold, but she perked up as soon as she got on her first ride. 

When it's 30 degrees, what do you do?  Ride a giant swing carousel that goes round and round and makes it feel like the temperature is in the teens. 

All smiles on her first ride.  It's funny how she forgot about how cold she was once she got on a ride. 

Papa turned her round and round on the teacups.  She thought it was hilarious and laughed so hard.

We went into a few shops to try to warm up.  While browsing in the stores, sister enjoyed a little cotton candy. 

It was just way too cold, and we couldn't hang any longer.  I tried to call Dixie Stampede to get reservations.  We always enjoy Dixie Stampede.  It's a great show, and the food is really good, especially since you have to use your fingers to eat.  Unfortunately, all the shows were sold out.  We decided we would head to Grand Country to check out their shows since we got some free tickets from our condo rental owner.  We ended up going to the Comedy Jamboree show.  It was very entertaining.  After the show, we had a little fun in the passion factor chair.  Papa got boring, and nana got cold.  Too funny!  Bryson got teaser.  Before Hallie got on, I said she is going to be either wild or uncontrollable.  Sure enough, she got uncontrollable.  After having fun on the chair, we headed to the next building over to the Grand Country Fun Spot.  The kids (and some adults)  had fun playing games.   

  

We worked up an appetite and decided to go eat dinner at Lambert's.  This restaurant is known for being home of the throwed rolls.  When you want a roll, you raise your hand and someone will throw one to you.  This restaurant also tends to be very busy.  We only waited about 30 minutes this time, but we have waited an hour before.     

You will not leave this place hungry.  In addition to your meal, they serve other sides family style.  The fried potatoes are my favorite.  I got a steak.  My parents got the catfish and raved about it.  Bryson loved his pulled pork sandwich.  Hubby devoured his chicken fried steak. 

We wobbled out to the car to head back to condo.  It was to time to rest up for another try at Silver Dollar City the next day.  

Spring Break Branson Trip Recap Day 1

Life has been super hectic lately, and I have so much to catch up.  I'll start with the spring break trip we took to Branson.  We left on a Wednesday morning around 10:00.  Both of the kids were occupied with their electronics, and I am perfectly okay with that.   

Once we arrived, we stopped at The Grand Village Shops to eat at Mel's Hard Luck Diner.  We found a water fountain on the way, and both of the kids threw coins and made wishes.  Bryson would not share his wish, but Hallie loudly proclaimed she wished for a Frozen Hans doll.  And what did this momma do?  She got on Amazon Prime while eating lunch and ordered that doll for her Easter basket.  How did I ever live before Amazon Prime.

Mel's Hard Luck Diner has a 50's diner feel to it.  The servers frequently sing songs.  I was disappointed in the songs they sang.  They were not bad singers.  I just didn't care for their choices.  Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper and Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson were a couple of the songs they sang.  With the 50's theme, I was hoping for some Elvis and Buddy Holly.

I tried to get a picture of the kiddos, but Bryson protested and Hallie played along.  

After we ate, we walked around and stopped in a few stores.  Then, we headed to our condo.  

Once we got to the condo, Hallie wanted to eat her cookie we bought at the Sugar Leaf Bakery.  We bought an assortments of goodie from the bakery.  Honestly, the cookie was the best out of all the goodies. Everything was just meh.

The condo we stayed at was Eagle's Nest Resort, and we booked it through vbro.com.  My parents went with us.  We would have needed two hotel rooms.  The condo was cheaper than the price of two hotel rooms and comfortably fit us all.  Plus, it's located on Table Rock Lake and has an amazing view.   

After settling in, we headed to the trails.  Bryson enjoyed some stone skipping.  It's been so long for me.  I had to throw several (like 100) rocks before I was successful.  

The kids were dying to take off their shoes and get their feet wet.

Papaw found Hallie a walking stick, and she played with it for days.  I was pretty sure it was going home with us until I accidentally knocked it off the table and broke it.  

After our adventures outside, we decided to head to the indoor pool and splash pad.  Not all condos on vbro.com had access to the indoor pool and splash pad.  I made sure sure to ask the owners of the listings I was interested in to ensure we had access. 

The kids had a blast at the indoor pool and splash pad.  It was perfect since it was too cold to swim outside.  After a couple of hours, we headed back to the room to get rested for our next day at Silver Dollar City.   

10 Songs on My Life's Mix Tape

As I was thinking about which 10 songs I would put on my life's mix tape, I had a hard time narrowing it down.  I love music.  And I love it all.  I don't discriminate.  This is how I feel about music...

Growing up, my dad always had music on.  While listening to music, he would quiz me and ask which artist was singing.  I got pretty good.  So good, I thought I should go on MTV's Remote Control.  Remember that show?

  
If I had to pick two songs from this period in my life, it would be.....

1. Anything Steve Perry or Journey

2. Anything Fleetwood Mac

I'm pretty sure those cassettes got used the most, and I could sing EVERY. SINGLE. WORD.

A few years later, I received a large stereo for Christmas.  It looked like the stereo below, but all black.

My cousin and I spent many hours in my bedroom listening to music and playing songs over and over until we memorized the entire song.  The two songs I remember us playing the most are.... 

3. Ain't Nuthin But A G Thang - Dr. Dre

4. The Cover of the Rolling Stone - Dr. Hook

I guess we had a thing for doctors.  Hahaha.

In my high school years, one of my best friends, Ross, and I would drive around for hours just listening to music.  Those were seriously some of the best times of my life.  We are both very passionate about music.  We feel the music.  It's just too bad our voices don't match our passion.  Two songs that we sang with so much passion are....

5. Foolish Games - Jewel

6. Push - Matchbox Twenty

I'm pretty sure this was us.

The college years involved several road trips.  The song that was on repeat for our girls trip to Branson was....

7. You Never Even Call Me By My Name - David Allen Coe

And the song we wore out on our couples trip to Dallas was...

8. Country Grammar - Nelly

Going through a divorce was the most difficult thing I have ever done.  Music played such a huge role in getting through this hard time.  I'm pretty sure I wore out a Jeremy Camp and Selah CD during that time.  My advice to anyone going through a difficult time, don't listen to music that will just depress you even more.  Listen to some uplifting music.  Listen to music that will put your focus on God instead of yourself.  I promise healing will begin when your focus is on God.  Two of my go to songs during this time were.....

9. I Still Believe and Walk by Faith - Jeremy Camp

I'm so thankful that God is a good God and works all things for the good of those who love him.  He restored my heart, and I was able to offer an unscarred, unbroken, untainted heart to the man HE had for me, my husband, David.  The song that reminds me of our courtship is....

10.  ?????

Yep, I'm not telling.  It is TOTALLY inappropriate and just between us ;)

Linking  up my 10 on Tuesday with September Farm, Talk Tuesday, and Show and Tell Tuesday

Friday Favorites

Woohoo!  We made it to another Friday.  I've got some excited kids around here.  Today is Hallie's Easter party at school.  Then it's SPRING BREAK!

Lots of fun to look forward to, but for now here are some favorites from this week.

Sunday night we stumbled upon a new show called Little Big Shots.  Y'all seriously need to check it out.  It's a perfect family show.  The show is hilarious.  Not only is it funny, it is clean and totally kid appropriate.  Finally a show that we can all enjoy and not have to worry about language, nudity, or violence.  Definitely a new favorite!  

We had some struggles Monday morning with daylight savings time.

Hallie looked cute for school pictures on Monday in a new favorite outfit.  However, she was too tired to take a picture before school and reminded me of the dog above.

On the brighter side, the extra sunshine in the evenings has been a favorite.    

We've been spending lots of time outside taking advantage of the extra daylight and nice weather.  We've been riding bikes, playing basketball, and running in preparation for an upcoming 5k.   

Another new favorite from this week is the strawberry lemonade from Wendy's.  It is delicious and made with real strawberries.  I've had three this week.  However, I just recently looked up the calories and WHOA!!  That is not a favorite.  I'll definitely be slowing down.  

This shamrock sweetheart is a favorite.  We have some St. Patrick Day fun planned on Friday.  I know it's a day late, but Bryson has been with his dad and will be home on Friday.  Sometimes not being able to celebrate holidays on the actual day is not a favorite.  However, I try not to dwell on that.  We will celebrate all together as a family and have fun and make memories.  The day that happens on isn't as important as it just happening.     

This special lady is another favorite shamrock sweetheart.  She is my bosses' mother.  Her she is at our annual office St. Patrick's day party.   We call her Mean Jean.  She definitely isn't mean, but she does have some spunk.  She is such a fun, sweet old lady.  I hope to be just as fun and care free as her when I get old.  

Well, that's it folks.  Happy Friday, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Linking up Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites!

Also linking up with Oh Hey Friday!, Awesome Life Friday, High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Five on Friday

10 on Tuesday....Pictures From Text Messages

Today I'm sharing something light and fun.....the last 10 pictures from my text messages.  Sometimes I wonder how we ever lived without this function.  Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but it sure does make life fun.

Here are a few pictures from group texts with gym friends.  

I sent the girls this picture.  I laugh every time I read it.  They found it equally funny.       

 

One of the girls sent us this picture.  Such a cute reminder!

I sent this picture.  It seems random, but we send pictures back and forth of this girl running.  This girl runs ALL the time.  We all see her out running at different times of the day, at different locations, sometimes twice a day.  We are all impressed and at the same time trying to figure out how anyone can enjoy running that much. 

Can I get an amen?!

 The next two pictures were sent to the hubby.

I found this deal on a Lego set at Walmart.  It was originally $69.97 and on clearance for $36.00.  I thought that was a great deal since you rarely find deals on Legos.  I wanted to get hubby's opinion on if I should get it for a future present for Hallie.  I ended up passing on it, but I'm having non buyer's remorse....is that even a word?  

The next picture was sent while telling hubby he needed to pick up Hallie's dance clothes on the way to dance.  I usually put them in her backpack, but I had forgotten to take them out of the washer to dry.  So, I dried them at work with the space heater.  I knew this method would work because I've used it several times on workout clothes. 

The next few pictures were from texts with my BFF, Sara. 

She hosted a Tastefully Simple party this weekend.  I was unable to go since we were out of town.  I went to go place an order online and asked her for suggestions.  She suggested the beer bread.  That's when I headed to the pantry to take a picture of the beer bread that has been in our pantry forever.  I looked at the expiration date.  It was December 2013....EEK.  I did throw it away

She sent me the next picture of her mom's wall color.  I have been struggling with finding the perfect grey to paint our bedroom.  She's been helping by sending me pictures and giving me paint samples.  

Sara sent me a picture of her bible journaling.  She just started a couple of weeks.  She is doing awesome! 

The last picture was sent to Mason's mom.  Last weekend we took Mason with us to Oklahoma City.  As we were eating, he pointed to the picture and said that man looks like a monkey.  I've never looked at Toby Keith and thought he looks like a monkey.  But after he said that, I can see some ape like features.  Too funny!     

Linking  up my 10 on Tuesday with September Farm and Talk Tuesday