Missouri Memories

  It was a long, rainy, boring drive to Branson, Missouri.  10 hours actually without any stops!
  We read books, played games, took naps, read more books, played media, more books, more games and some coloring time.....

  But even on the longest of days, I still would chose this travel life of ours! ?:)?

  Missouri is one of our favorite stops.  The Ozarks are just so beautiful, and we adore the family fun this state offers.  I have SO many childhood memories in this great state! :)

  We love to try new places when we pull into town, so we loaded up for some BillyBob Burgers, what a cute diner!

  Branson Landing is a neat outdoor shopping center, we usually go at night for the Fire and Lights show, but this time, we didn't stay long enough to watch it.  Brrr!

​  We did enjoy walking around and getting some yummy butter olive oil before we left.  (Tastes SO good to make Dale's famous popcorn!)

  We have a new favorite restaurant in Branson, Little Hacienda.  Totally classy and modern!  

  Get the Burrito Supreme with the Queso Blanco over it. I love how they grill their tortillas first.

  We had planned to go to our FAVORITE place on earth, Silver Dollar City, on Thursday when you can get in for half price.  However, Dale was watching the weather, and when temperatures dropped to a high of 40 and 90% chance of icy mix, we knew that wasn't going to happen.

  Thankfully, we found a similar coupon and went on Sunday when the crowds were lower and the high was 50.  Still cold, but bearable for a day of fun!

  RIGHT into the park, Dale and the bigger kids wanted to do the Wildfire Roller Coaster.  There was zero line since the park just opened, so they got right on.  

   Pax and I hung out and waited for them to go by.....

  Time Traveler is the newest coaster, Dale and the bigs LOVED it.  Before we divided up by age and rideability, we all road the Lost Mine boat ride.

  We had a girls boat vs boys boat contest shoot out, GIRLS WON! Whoop whoop!  I took a pic of my high score gun, thankyouverymuch.  

  Then, we walked through Grandfather's (crazy crooked) Mansion, and the kids talked me into going on the Thundersation rollercoaster with them.  I am NOT a rollar coaster rider, mind you, and was very nervous.  But I remembered many many moons ago, on our Senior trip, that it was the one and only coaster I could do without getting sick. 

​  Slideshow:

  We picked the warmest of the days we were here, and still.....

3 shirts, 2 pants, 2 sets of socks, fur boots, coat, hat, scarf, gloves and STILL COLD!

  We bought some wassil and hot cocoa in our refillable mugs, and that helped a lot.  BTW, those are worth it. They are good for one full year and refills are $1-2 dollars depending on what you pick.  Water is free all day long which saves dragging a jug all day!

  We hung out over in the Firehouse section as a family before dividing back up again.  They have a huge fire station you can have ball wars in, huge cannons and launchers.  Super fun!

 Kids all went on a nutso launcher ride, up up up and away!

  The Grand Exposition is a great place to take your younger kiddos while the bigs do the big kid rides.  We spent a good hour over here riding the rides!

  We met back up for dinner at the bakery.  We had Kalskies?  Basically a homemade pig in a blanket, giant pretzel and an even bigger Gingerbread man. That all cost an arm and two legs and we all still were starving, so we went down into the park again and got some awesome sausage, sweet potato skillets to share too.  

  At this point, all the millions of lights were being turned on, and transformed our favorite place on earth into one of twinkly MAGIC.  It just gives me that warm fuzzy feeling in my heart, and I flashback to my own youth, and even more of years gone by of meeting my dad here when the kids were younger.  

  We watched the glass blowers for a while, then the parade started! 

  We were all cold to the bone by this point, so we checked the Silver Dollar City app and saw there was ONE more show we could catch, "It's A Wonderful Life".  It was wonderfully done!  All their shows are, and it comes with the price of your ticket. :)

  We had been at the park 8 hours at this point, and time was flying.  We were all sleepy, thirsty and ready to head home.  But we had to walk past our FAVORITE part, the Christmas tree!

 
An amazing ending to an AMAZING DAY!

  A good nights sleep, and awakening to the pitter patter of rain, started our school day Monday.  But the house was warm and the rain made it all cozy!

  One more essential oil class, and breakfast at local favorite, BillyGail's before we packed up to head to our next stop. We have to beat the icy weather that is on it's way, because well, buses and ICE, just don't mix!

 Have you ever seen a bigger pancake?

  Branson, it's been real.

 Until next time!

Hugs, T