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| After a dinner at Shorty Small's (another "tradition"), we headed back to the room to chill in front of the fire. The rooms are decorated for Christmas, so we got to enjoy the decorations and tree too. As luck would have it, the movie "Polar Express" was on, so it was a nice way to end the chaotic day...all five of us on the bed enjoying a Christmas tale. Well, Maria didn't technically stay ON the bed. She is a busybody! The next morning we ate our wonderful breakfast then headed out for a little shopping. We also called to see if we could still get tickets for "Lunch with Santa"...I had just read about it on the Internet the night before. There were SIX tickets left at the wanted time. So we bundled up and headed to Silver Dollar City. You can see from the pictures, Maria did NOT see what the big fuss was about hanging out in the cold weather. :) |
| Please sign the guestbook...we love to see who has visited! |
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| December 1-3, 2006 |
| We were so excited about our trip to Branson. It is an annual tradition to spend a weekend (before Christmas) in Branson, shopping and visiting Silver Dollar City. We have been dreaming about taking Maria there for almost a year and a half...finally it was time! Of course, it had snowed/iced on Thursday, so we were out of school on Friday. I thought that would be good, but instead, I just found myself bogged down with all of the "household" stuff, plus packing. (We have decided to NOT do back to back weekend trips again...) At one point, I thought we might just stay at home, but we had worked really hard to get the reservations at our favorite bed and breakfast. In fact, this was the first year we had even GOTTEN a room there in December. (And only by the blessing of someone else's cancellation as well as perfect timing) Oh, and we would have been paying for the room whether we were there or not. So we loaded up, braved the ice and snow, and headed to Missouri. In this picture, you can see Maria experiencing her first winter weather! |
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| Our lunch with Santa was lots of fun. The food was okay (a definite "kid's menu"), but the atmosphere was just jolly. We were able to enjoy some entertainment. Lauren even got up to dance with an elf; she is our little performer. Then we were able to visit with Santa. This may have been the first time the kids have really gotten to talk to Santa face to face that I can recall. I wasn't sure what Maria would think, so I sat with her (don't worry, I did NOT put my weight on him :). She was quite intrigued with his beard and did not seem scared of him...at a distance. |
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| It was rather cold, but it was bearable in our many layers...Because of the weather, most of the rides were closed, much to Lauren and Hunter's disappointment. But we did enjoy the train ride (though the whistle was a little loud for Miss Maria), the Tinker the Talking Christmas Tree show, some shopping (thanks Grams and Grampops!), some time in the "ball pit", and a ride on the "mine" boats. Because we were there much of the afternoon, Maria missed her nap. Poor baby! Here she was experiencing her coldest day ever OUTSIDE, then we left her exhausted. Here she is right before we left the park...she just conked out! We spent the remaining part of the day watching the Razorbacks LOSE, then enjoyed another wonderful breakfast today. We finished up our trip with more shopping and lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and being together. And it was truly a dream come true to have ALL three of our children with us for this holiday tradition! |
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