Trips

BRANSON

Our most recent vacation as the entire family took place in March '13. We had so much fun! We rented a cabin, squeezed all of us into it (good thing it was spacious) and felt right at home.

Then it was time for some Wii!!! Our very favorite thing to do!

 No...

You are not imagining it...

There are 4 Wii's

For those of us who have not developed our Mario skills, there were other options...

Some enjoyed a game of billiards       

Some Ice Age

And others Lego's

We even found a Foosball table!






And then...Dinner...we couldn't fit our homemade wood tables in the bus...so the floor had to work...

Don't worry--> it's clean

For dessert our sister made a cake themed after our family's motto:

HOLD THE LINE:

 WE CANNOT RETREAT! WE CANNOT WITHDRAW!

 WE MUST BE STUBBORN TODAY!

This cake was so delicious! But the lesson we learned was even more important.

Holding true to your standards and beliefs is more important than anything this world has to offer.

                   

  OBJECT LESSON #1:          Helping each other                 through trials                            

We all gathered together outside and...

WHA-LA!!!

~A circle was formed~

Katie hosted this event and taught us that holding our line is easier with family members to help us.

Then the older kids took a SPLASH!!!

This belly flop was painful!

The biggest hit was the hot tub!

Now, it was either that day or the next that we all piled into our small bus and went to the candy shop

Here's a taste (get it?) of the shop

Looks great huh? 

It was a HUGE hit among all the kids

We couldn't all fit in the store so

we took turns waiting

outside

The shop was very intriguing

Would you look at that! We almost don't fit outside the shop either!

We left very pleased with our candy purchases!

OBJECT LESSON #2: Teamwork

Have you ever tried to build a human pyramid??? It's not as easy as we make it look...

Our fondly titled "Little" boys and girls show us how it's done

The "Mediums" try next and almost succeed

Of course the "Older" girls are next...

Nice work ladies!

 Kayla wanted to give it a try with her own style

Then decide that was not
 ANYWHERE
 near complicated enough

The "Big Boys" show us how it's done

Plan A

The final results of the "Big Boy" team planning

Plan C

Plan B

We had a devotional each night and then caught some ZZZ's

The medium girls loved their hallway, it was like a huge sleepover.

Ben is attached to his hammock...

he even brought it with him.

After a few days of object lessons, Wii and family bonding, the whole of us traveled about 5 miles to Silver Dollar City, an amusement park.

Our boys are such gentleman! They all volunteered to take all 4 strollers! (Each boy in this pic has one)

The first ride was soaking wet, but it was 80 degrees outside...

 and there wasn't a line!

 Jacob takes a nap while waiting for our next adrenaline boost 

Not wanting the front has its advantages, namely, no more line

Poor Katurah looks terrified!

Our FAVORITE ride! 

Outlaw Run!

Then it was Kiddie Time...

Some of the big kids just couldn't help themselves...

The babies even enjoyed it!

(notice Essie above)

           

While waiting some older kids joined the little ones in Kiddie Land, others entertained themselves...

Dad was the funniest form of entertainment!

Then a few more rides!

~THE END~