We are back from our trip. It was a lot of fun and we had a nice time. We really enjoy spending time with all of our family, and getting to all stay in the same place makes it even more fun!
We first went to Jonesboro to drop off the dogs and pick up the rest of the family who were going. Monday morning we all met at McDonalds to get on the road. We drove and drove and drove for four hours to Branson. When we got there we unloaded and unpacked, then went to a late lunch at a pasta place...we will probably never go there again! It was expensive and not very good! Then we went back to the condo and some people went out.
Debi's grandparents have a condo (a couple condos actually) that we stayed at. It was really nice and had four bedrooms, so there was a lot of room. Tuesday morning we went to buy our ticket for Silver Dollar City and White Water. We got a package deal on them so that was nice. Then we headed off for Silver Dollar City. Kalyn rode a lot of the rides with her Daddy...and loved them! Everyone had a nice time there. It was hot, but not unbearably so. After a long day, went went home and ate then went to bed.
Wednesday morning we all went to White Water. We spent all day riding water slides and playing in the wave pool. Towards the end of the day we found an awesome section devoted to kids that had water slides that were more their size. Klarice, Kalyn, and Little Luke had a BLAST! They would slide down, jump up, and run back to the top to do it again. Here are a few really funny things that happened. The first water slide I went on with Kalyn started out a bit rocky for me. I tried to get on the double seater intertube. Kalyn was already on. I sat down and the thing threw me upsidedown and backwards. I was laying in the water with both legs straight up in the air. It was embarassing! Meanwhile, when the tube bucked me off, it shot forward with Kalyn. She was terrified. I got up and sat back down on the tube. It happened again! The very same thing! I was laughing, Kalyn was screaming, "No! I don't want to go! Get me OFF!!!" I finally managed to get on the slide and we went down. When we got off the slide and Kalyn said, "Mommy, I like that ride!" in true Forrest Gump style.
Kalyn and I went on another slide that was mostly in the dark with a couple waterfalls. We got off and she wanted to go again. We got back up to the top, and she freaked out saying that she was scared and didn't want to go. She finally agreed to go if I promised to keep her eyes covered so that she couldn't see anything. The slide was pitch black! Anyway, I agreed and she enjoyed it.
Heath and I went on a couple of slides together too. A couple bad things happened, and we decided to stick to the wave pool for awhile!
When we took the kids over to the kid slides, I walked up to the top with Klarice, Kalyn, and Luke. I couldn't ride down with them and I was sure that Luke would change his mind and decide not to go. Boy was I wrong! Luke started to go down the slide, but didn't move too well on it. He finally stopped halfway down, stood up, and walked the rest of the way! It was really cute and very funny.
We had a great time...and all got a bit of sun. I apparently didn't use nearly enough sunscreen, because I am the color of an e-coli ridden roma tomato. The pain is pretty bad, but I can't blame anyone but myself!
My favorite sayings from Kalyn on this trip, "Ayr Matey!"-Kalyn said this on the pirate ship ride at SDC. "They are going to drink me!"-Kalyn to Heath on the teacup ride at SDS.

Lucas on the train at SDC. It was a tight fit for most of us, but he looked a bit uncomfortable.

Klarice, Kalyn, Debi on the train. The girls were so excited to ride this. We had waited all day to go.

Debi, Klarice, Kalyn, Heath on the pirate ship swing.



Klarice got scared and hid most of the ride behind Debi's shoulder.

Kalyn enjoyed it at first, but got worried partway through.

Heath and Kalyn on the elephant ride.











Everyone who went but Richie (taking the picture).

Everyone who went but Heath (taking the picture).

Keali enjoyed some Kettle Corn while waiting for Daddy and Kalyn.