The Mini Va-Ca

Last Wednesday we headed to Branson for a mini vacation. Nate had a work conference at Chateau on the Lake on Table Rock so we decided to tag along and make a vacation out of it.

It was a lot of fun and honestly one of our only vacations thus far with just us and the kiddos. We go away a lot but we are usually with our families so this was fun just to spend time together away from home and of course if you haven't been to Chateau on the Lake...it's quite a fun place to do a get-away! Very nice and also really fun for the kids...they have a playground right by the pool and a movie theater showing kids movies during the day. We loved it!

"Hey Mom."

When Nate had his work conference, I was flying solo so when we got to Branson we headed straight for Silver Dollar City. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into but considering Noah doesn't like "rides" I was sure I could handle both kiddos and it turned out great. Of course Noah LOVED the moon sand which we can buy at Target and have at home!

Noah is always very cautious about everything. He was checking out this ride where the boats come around and squirt water at you and you can squirt it back at them.

He decided to give it a whirl when there wasn't a boat and then five seconds after this picture he fell down on the water.

Another one of his fav spots at SDC was this room for kids that had different toys and activities at each table. He loved these little plastic sliders...have no clue what they are called.

He loved looking at all of the water.

And yes, we left with a sword. He only got in trouble once for trying to whack a teenage boy.

Observing from afar...such a Noah quality. Love this about him.

Checking out what Noah is doing and chewing on her snake.

Snowmen when it's 90 degrees out?! Yes! And Christmas trees...oh how we love Christmas...even Noah.

We ended the big Silver Dollar City trip with some ice cream. Gotta love that!

Not to mention it was the real deal...real homemade ice cream with sprinkles.

YUM.

The view from our room on a stormy afternoon.

I didn't take enough pictures of the resort. It is gorgeous.

My brother recommended a place called Predator World. They had some different animals and it was a smaller scale than a zoo. Not bad but not amazing.

Here is a shark...they had many and you could feed them. Jason said that was the best part but we didn't feed them. Probably should have!

We were pretty much the only ones there which was kind of a weird feeling when it's just you...a few large sharks...and no one else. Then this nice gentleman appeared. The staff was really friendly and wanted Noah to pet this small shark.

Okay maybe a starfish...

Soooo close!

There were a few crocodiles.

Some GIANT, DEADLY snakes that looked like they were being kept in plastic cages and they could escape anytime. He swore they couldn't get out. Not sure I believed him. He also pulled out a baby alligator he wanted Noah to pet...ha! Noah was not digging it.

The they ended the Predator World with a free arcade? Seemed strange to me. I told Nate they kept it so dark in there so we wouldn't see the dead critters, ha! I'm sure there weren't any...maybe. This was a fun place but probably for older kiddos!

We had a great time but are glad to be home. We have raised a home body because the night before we left Noah kept saying, "I want to go home!" Sounds like he is becoming one of us. :)

Enjoy your week!