Hi Ho Silver!!

Silver D@llar City that is!! The day started was dark and gloomy, the people many and the options even greater. Then we took off to see how many rides we could do in one day! First up...the roller coaster "The Thunderation". Oh yeah, someone forgot to tell everyone that I am afraid of rollercoasters!! YIKES!! Well, since I was on it already and Tessa was my partner I HAD to put on my game face and hold my bladder so I wouldn't pee all over myself!! As it turned out, I was the one comforting Tessa...who was ready to break into tears halfway through the ride. But then we all started laughing at our selves for screaming like crazy and it really was a fun ride! Thanks to the makers of fitted "bucket" seats too. I had to squeeze my large tushy into the seat and once it was squished in...I wasn't going anywhere until someone pried me back out of it! Gave me all the securities that I needed to make it!!



Then it was off to the swings. Only a few were ready for those. My height restrictions kept me from enjoying that one :( Jennifer was more than happy to ride it with Tessa.



We then were at the "little kiddy" rides as our "big" kids told us. But we did make them ride a couple of the rides just to make their Mama's proud and for a very short period of time we were whisked back a year to when our babies were just that...our babies!! Oh well, a Mama can always dream...right?!




Then back to the hard core rides. Another albeit somewhat smaller roller coaster and then the teacups! Those saucers were spinning let me tell you! I was dizzy just trying to watch them and figure out who was in which!! Mark loves to make his girlies ditzy....I mean dizzy!



Next up the Elephant ride...strange how much it looks like Dumbo! Then the hard core riders took the pirate ships for a whirl!! We all had an appetite worked up after that! A quick meal and back off for more.




Next up was the maze at the Half Dollar Holler for the kids to wear their lunch off in and us parents to rest our backsides on some rocks for a while. Then we thought a nice relaxing train ride would fit the bill. Unfortunately, it was going to be an hour wait for the train. Not one of our kiddos was going to standby for an hour wait...no way!



So off to the log water. Hmmmmm....I don't remember what I went looking for, but by the time I returned they were halfway through the wait to get on the ride. Shucks! I had to just wait for them. So I kept Mark and Tessa company. We also watched all the folks come off super soaked! Our group did not let us down and just wait until I scan the photos of them coming down the last hill. What scared looking faces they all had and they got wet to boot!!

While they were all wet, why not head over to the Lost river ride?! Long, long, long wait, but so worth the ride down the rapids. Wet, wet and wetter we were after that one! Time to stand in the sun and dry our clothes and expecially our soaking wet shoes out!!



Good fun, lots of laughs, screams and the pricelessness of good friends...a whopping great day!! Can't wait for next year!!

~~Branson~~

Spring break time! We are all jazzed to be out of town and in Branson, Missouri! Arrived in town Saturday afternoon, met up with our friends and off to the Dixie Stampede. The girls report they L*O*V*E*D the show! I could tell by their faces and the little voices saying "Look at that Mom!" that it was a hit! Mom really liked the comedian that put on the preshow for us. I was just a little ticked off that we were not seated with our friends as we were told on the phone we were, but it all worked out. And a BIG thanks to Daren that I did not have to do CPR on him! (He is allergic to horses!)




Today we were at Silver D@llar City for the day. And what a great day was had by all! Looked like we were in for some showers, but thanks to Mother Nature we had beautiful weather all day. Which we really needed after riding the rides that tend to soak everyone! After walking around for several hours with soggy socks and shoes we decided it was time to hit the strip and eat. After a tummy filling dinner we have been back at our hotel chill-axing. Four of the girls are in our room watching Mermaidia II and the older kiddos are in our friends room on their I-Pod Touches doing whatever they do.



I would like to upload some photos from the last couple of days, but Att is not cooperating with me...to the point that I am going to have to get off this for now or I will throw the computer across the room!!! Argh! Come back in a couple of days...we will be home by then and I will get the photos on here to go along with the post.

Off tomorrow to shop the Outlet store way. Our friends will leave us tomorrow after that and we will muddle on without them for a day then back home we will go...jiggity jig!!

Spring program

Tonight was Tessa's spring music program. She had a speaking part in it!! It was also a very beautiful spring like day here. I think it was a high of 78 degrees!

I had bought Tessa the cutest dress and a sweater to wear over it. She was surprised when I showed it to her.



The whole family when to see her program. She was wonderful on her "solo" tonight. I didn't see any nerves at all!!



You go Tessa!!

Our poor trampoline!

We just haven't had much of a break from the wind. Once again the wind has moved our trampoline another five foot closer to the house and pulled part of it up off the base! In fact, it is just inches from our house right now!




Then the days that the wind is not blowing 35 miles an hour with sustaned gusts of 45 to 50 miles an hour, it is rainy. We are grateful for the rain...the trees we planted over a year ago need all the moisture they can get!!



So on a rainy Sunday afternoon Kendalan and Pugston got a little naptime in on the floor in front of the TV. Pugston does not sleep as soundly as Kendalan does!!



The wind has also blown in some changes here at our house. Something is going on. But I can't talk about it just right now :( Anticipation is making me wait...it's keeping me waiting!!