Branson Trip with Briggs Grandparents

Grandma and Grandpa Briggs came to visit a couple weeks ago. It was a special visit this time because we decided to make a mini vacation out of it by spending the weekend together in Branson, MO. Jason and I took Tressa and Corbin there 2 years ago and had a really fun time, but Corbin was too young to participate very much and he doesn't remember it. We also thought it would be fun for Jason's parents to see more of Oklahoma (and Missouri). There's so much to do in Branson so we knew it would be a hit with everyone.

On the way there we stopped for lunch in Venita, Oklahoma. There's a famous McDonald's there with a dining room that is literally on top of the freeway. The kids (especially Corbin) got a kick out of watching all the different cars and trucks go under them.

There's a Blue Bell store there too, so we ended up stopping on the way home for ice cream. Yum!

Grandma made the hotel arrangements and got us a large family suite so that we could all be together. There's something so exciting about staying in a hotel for kids. When we first got there the kids were running around like crazy and trying out everything. They were really excited about the prospect of getting to share a bed "like a sleepover!" Given the sleep problems Corbin has sometimes even at home I was a little worried at how they'd do sleeping together in an unfamiliar place. It actually worked out really well though - we wore them out so much during the day that they were too exhausted not to sleep. They shared the pull out sofa and loved it! Thank goodness they are lightweight enough to not feel those bars in their neck and back. I laid on it for 10 minutes to read them a story and already had a headache and a backache...it was a really thin mattress. Didn't seem to bother them!

We spent most of our time during the next two days at Silver Dollar City which is a western themed amusement park. Of course the first thing the kids wanted to do was the rides. It was fun that they were big enough to go on some of them with us and on the kiddie ones by themselves. Tressa was pretty proud of herself for being so big...especially when it meant she could go on something that Corbin couldn't. Corbin wasn't so sure about the rides at first, but he warmed up to them and had a great time too.

Since we had enough adults to take turns with the kids we got to do some of the roller coasters too. This one that Jason and the kids are standing by goes upside down 5 times. I forgot how much fun they are!

The kids also enjoyed the old west area of the park where they got to feed goats, play in an old school house, explore a log cabin, and take a train ride.

Then we headed over to the giant playground where the kids could shoot foam balls at different targets and play on a giant splash pad. Once we were all wet anyway we went on a couple river rides...think water slide...in regular clothes. Good thing we brought extra clothes because we got drenched!

We enjoyed some really good BBQ food, skillet meals, funnel cakes, frozen lemonade, fresh fruit and kettle corn while at the park. Grandma said she got a few laughs and funny looks when she was pushing the stroller back from kettle corn stand. I guess people thought that was an awfully big bag for one little boy. Hee hee! Don't worry folks, he shared with the rest of us!

Grandma bought Tressa and Corbin each a souvenir too. Tressa got a fancy umbrella with her name on it and Corbin got a little baseball bat. They love them.

Of coarse, not everything was perfect about the trip, but I have to mention these things anyway because it will be funny to look back on. We had a couple of near meltdowns with Corbin on the first day at Silver Dollar City. He was hot and tired and he kept asking me to carry him. I knew there was no way I could carry him around the park all day, so I tried getting him to take a turn in the stroller or let Grandpa or Daddy put him on their shoulders. He refused to do any of those things for very long and I did have to give in a couple times and carry him. So on the second day Grandma suggested that we rent a double stroller for Corbin and Tressa to share. I wasn't sure if we should bother since Corbin refused to ride in our stroller the day before anyway, but I'm so glad she went ahead and got it because the kids LOVED it. Apparently this kind of stroller is way funner than our regular stroller. They were all smiles and giggles.

It was funny how many times people smiled at them and asked me if they were twins. I guess they look about the same size when they're sitting down. It made for a good napping spot too!

Another unexpected glitch was the Veggie Tales show. Last time we went to Silver Dollar City we went to a few of the shows to get out of the heat. They were really pretty entertaining and the kids seemed to enjoy them. But Corbin was terrified of the Veggie Tales show this year. It was crazy! Jason had to take him out because we couldn't settle him down. It's funny the phases kids go through, but I guess I can kind of understand how a giant singing tomato could be a little scary for a 2 year old!

At the end of each day the kids still somehow had energy for swimming at the hotel...in fact they wouldn't take no for an answer. They didn't care if it was getting dark and the water was cold!



All in all it was a really fun trip...and so nice to spend time with Jason's parents. They totally spoiled us!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We love you!