Branson Missouri

 

April was a crazy fun month for us with back-to-back vacations.  Oh yeah!!!

To kick off the festivity, the Callison Clan from Dallas came to visit us.  Michael, Cheryl, and their 5 amazing, wonderful, cheerfully, girls!

Kenneth also came into town, which everyone knows Uncle Kenneth makes everything more fun.

First, we planned our days travels to make sure we could eat at Lambert’s – home of throwed rolls – where we easily ate our weight in food—and yet still had plenty of leftovers for the rest of the weekend.

Yes, they throw piping hot rolls fresh from the oven right at you.  Be prepared!

It’s near impossible to capture the experience on your phone, but can’t but love the pic of Michael ducking for cover

 

Lambert’s…where the drinks are bigger than your face!

Silly faces!

Food…happy faces!

When we were in Branson, we have a super nice rental.  Nicer than all our homes put together.  Theatre room, 6 bedrooms, game room, pool table, overlooking table rock lake.  Everything you’d want in a weekend retreat.  It was super dee dooper!

One night we ventured out for a short hike with all the kids in tow.  I was at the back hurrying Rylee along, and captured views like this along the way. 

 

But most the time we enjoyed our stay in the lodge.  Rylee never ventured far from this spot – a pair of nesting end tables that fit her perfectly. 

 

And then we hit up the indoor pool for some swimming fun!

Sophie!

These pics are horrible! Hanging out in the pool with little kids and a phone isnt’ the smartest idea, but I tried, lol!

The kids loved the indoor slide!

The weekend went by way too quickly!  We could have easily stayed another week for sure!!

Some of best commentary came on the ride home. 

When two fingers are better than one, lol!

Uncle Kenneth (the FAVORITE uncle) and the kids.

• Rylee -Is that your phone?! - repeated 3 times
• In response, Kenneth --  Yep, that’s my phone?! – repeated 3 times
• On the 4th attempt, Rylee asked, “Is that MY phone?”

And it keeps getting better,

• Okay -- kids you're going to be quiet so Brooke and Rylee can fall asleep
• Brooke -- I'm NOT going to go to sleep!!
• Tanner -  You guys are doomed if I fall asleep cuz I'm the best at karate!
• Kenneth – No, I'm the BEST!
• Tanner – “ Well-- you are pretty funny. And I like your personality!!”
• [5 mins later - Brooke and Rylee are sleep! For the win!!]

Or one of my personal favorites, Tanner – “Dad, there was a sign that said go faster!!!”

Brooke's Dance Recital

Brooke started taking dance this past winter and has fallen in love.

This girl has always had a bounce and twirl in her step.  Even before she could walk, she's bounce up and down to the grove of the music.

But then it just exploded.  Everywhere we go, if she hears music, she's doing her thing.

"Mom, if you love the MUSIC, you just have to DANCE!"

This past week, she got to go to Dolly and Me dance camp, while I was home recovering with Rylee from her surgery.  Every day, she'd come home and show me some of her moves, but it was so fun to see her little performance on the 4th day.

She had all the moves memorized, and has done it for me several times since.  I actually prefer her doing it without the music, she'll explain each step -- now you hop, now you spread your wings and flap, now you [insert some french word i can't pronounce or spell].

And it was extra fun -- getting to bring a new doll each day -- and having cousin Quincy in the class with us!

Before the dance camp, she took a ballet dance combo class where she learned tap/ballet.

In June, she had her very first recital!!

True story -- I woke up that morning and Brooke was no where to be found!  She usually loves to sleep in, but when I went to her her at 7:45am, she was gone.  I looked everywhere, kitchen, hearth room, family room, everything was untouched.  I looked in closets, bathrooms...and then I noticed the front door was unlocked.  Apparently around 7am, she went and knocked on our neighbor's door to ask them to play.  7am!!! And they said YES!!!  So we finally found Miss Brooke -- and we were late getting out to the rehearsal -- which was no biggie since it's an ALL DAY thing.  Really -- 4 years olds -- they want there 4 hours BEFORE the show.  Craziness of dancing moms...it's a whole new world we're entering I tell you.

But we got to hang with our bestie Scarlett!

And dance to "Do You Believe in Magic!"  I got horrible video of the dance, but this about sums it up.  Most the girls were just up there tapping to whatever they felt like -- but hey -- not bad for their first time up on a BIG STAGE!

She's the 2nd one for the left side, in the backgrow.  SO CUTE!

Brooke said her tummy hurt, we never did figure out if it was just butterflies from stage freight or if she was sick (there was a lot going around), but noneless, she got up there and DANCED!  

Those that know Brooke, know that she's painfully shy!  As a baby, she used to scream anytime I'd leave her, even if it was with family who she knew and loved dearly.  She'd have a panic attack and never calm back down, but she's slowly come out of her shell and her light shines so BRIGHT!

In the front of the line :)

I love celebrating Brooke and her natural talent.  One of the many ways she radiates joy and happiness!!!