Big Cedar Lodge: Day 6

On our last day we hit all of our favorite spots again....the beach and the lazy river. Lots of time spent at the lazy river! We ended our fabulous vacation off with a game of bowling at the coolest bowling alley I've ever seen! Until next time, Big Cedar! It was great!

Big Cedar Lodge: Day 5

Today the cousins left to start the trek back to Chicago. But before they left the kids sprayed their 65 year old papa with silly string. 

It was a rainy day so we decided to go to the outlet mall. I think the rest of the Branson area vacationers had the same idea because the outlets were packed. The kids were acting crazy and we didn't last long. We did spent a few quarters to keep them entertained:

In the evening we went to The Dixie Stampede. It's a dinner "theater" type of venue. You eat dinner while watching all kinds of entertaining things. Horses jumping through fire, square dancing, roaming bison, pig races, chicken chases, corny comedy.....I think I left out a few highlights. Nevertheless it was quite entertaining. 

Big Cedar Lodge: Day 4

On day 4 we hit the beach, both pools, and the lazy river. Then we went to the Top of the Rock for dinner. One of the most beautiful places one can possibly eat. At sunset a bagpiper plays and then they shoot off a cannon. 

Big Cedar Lodge: Day 3

We spent 8 hot (and I mean HOT) hours at Silver Dollar City. Apparently we were so hot that we didn't think to take any pictures because this is all I have. Despite the heat the kids did amazingly well. We stuck to mostly small rides but Charlie did join us on the log ride and rode a big coaster with Aunt Morgan. 

Evy is watching Will and Charlie ride a kiddie ride. She was too big this year!

Train ride.

Big Cedar Lodge: Day 2

Today we rented a pontoon boat and spent 4 hours on Table Rock Lake. 

Here, half of the family is in Arkansas and half of the family is in Missouri. 

The big kids and the adult boys all jumped off the cliffs. 

Will spent most of his time jumping off the boat.

Charlie got a cool new hat and wanted me to get the matching one.....so I did.

The kids had fun tubing and it was so hot that I had to get into the lake too!

Papa was trying to fish but mostly he was being swarmed by grandkids. 

Big Cedar Lodge: Day 1

We were lucky enough to go back to Big Cedar Lodge this year to celebrate another milestone: Papa Jake's 65th birthday. Absolutely love this place and so fun to share it with our family. 

On the first day the kids entered a fishing derby. It was so hot, so crowded and so not easy to catch fish. We bailed after about 15 minutes. 

After lunch we went around the lazy river about 45 times. 

In the afternoon we rented a jet ski for an hour. Each kid got a 20 minute ride.  

Then we had the obligatory cake and singing. 

And it was off to the arcade where the kids won airheads, bouncy balls and other "stuff". And by "won" I mean we spent about $20 per kid on games. Win-Win?!?!

Showing off their wonderful prizes!

VBS

The girls checked out a new vacation bible school this summer. On the final day families were invited to watch the kids sing all of their songs. Cracked me up that these two found each other in the crowd of kids and stood front and center for the performance!

Summer Fun List #5: Camping

The kids wanted to camp so we agreed to one night at our local state park. Evy and Charlie had just attended wildlife camp in the park and wanted to show us around. 

So, we rented a kayak and paddle boat to explore the lake. Scott had Will and Charlie on the paddleboat. It is hard to peddle and goes nowhere so we hooked them to the back of our kayak. After about 5 minutes of that nonsense they traded the paddle boat in for a canoe. 

Making much better progress in the canoe. Will was a bunch of help with his oar!

Evy wanted to show us the spillway so we tied the boats up and went for a little hike. 

Evy told us she would find us all a snack. Mulberries! Delicious. 

Evy and I took the canoe back so Scott and Charlie could have a turn in the kayak. 

At the campsite. We were at the "primitive" campsite which means only one bathroom had running water and there were no showers. Evy and Charlie slept in the small tent while Will, Scott, and I "slept" in the larger tent. It was after 11:00 before we were able to get Will to sleep and then a friendly crow was over our tent at about 5 a.m. making the worst racket. Needless to say there wasn't much sleep and one night was plenty!

Two cars full of stuff for 18 hours at a campsite!

The kids are really getting into fishing the year. But, Scott does all the dirty work (worm attachment and fish removal.)

Evy hardly had a bite Friday night. 

Will got the award for "smallest fish." 

Touching the fish.

Charlie got the award for biggest fish but was so terrified of it that she didn't event want to stand next to it for a picture.