Okay so I have wanted and waited for several years to have the opportunity to go to Big Cedar Lodge at Christmas time. I have heard so many cool stories from friends that have spent the holidays there that this past summer I booked a room. I didn't know who would be going at the time but just made sure to plan ahead! I am so glad that I did!! It ended up being a family vacation for the 4 of us. This was actually the first time we had gone anywhere with just us. It was so much fun and I know I was just smiling the whole time because it was so beautiful there and if you know me I love Christmas. It is by far my favorite holiday. I really can't say enough about how much fun the kids had too. It was all Christmas festivities the entire weekend and cheezeball me ate it up! Mitch would probably have been fine missing a few of the activities but I must say that he seemed to enjoy himself just as much as the rest of us. I had just started my new job but luckily was able to take off that Friday so we left after work on Thursday and ended up spending the night in Harrison. It was great though because we woke up the next morning ate a little breakfast and in 30 minutes were in downtown Branson. Mitch decided the best plan since we couldn't check in was to get the outlets out of the way first. I must say I am not really a huge outlet person so to his delight we only stayed about 1 1/2 and were on our way to the landing for lunch! After lunch we headed to Big Cedar. We did lots of walking and exploring that first afternoon. The weather was great and the kids got to even take a dip in the heated pool.
Addie Blaire exploring the property.
The girls loved all the water features they have and the Christmas lights were everywhere you looked.
Now that is one big fish!
That first afternoon we were lucky enough to catch Mrs. Claus. She was there having hot chocolate and cookies with the kiddos. She was such a sweet woman and even helped the girls with their letters to Santa. She even wrote their address on the back to make sure it got to the right place. Brit Brit actually loved her. That proves she is a special lady because as the weekend wore on we realized Brit wasn't a big fan of all the friends we met during our stay.
She even gave her a kiss on the cheek!
This was the beautiful chapel they had on display in the foyer.
She made sure to help seal the letter and even gave her some tips when writing her letter after all Mrs. Claus knows that Santa better then anybody.
The elves were there to help too!
Addie Blaire did a great job on her list.
This was the view from our cabin balcony.
Such a magical place at Christmas! I tried to take some pictures at dark with all the lights but my photography skills are a little weak so it didn't do it any justice.
That evening we went to a great restaurant for dinner on the property and then afterwards the girls had a surprise visitor! Ivy the elf stopped by to check on the girls and even had the time to read them a bedtime story! The book was called "Reindeer Magic" She told them all about the magic food that the reindeer would need on Christmas night. I was so excited that Britann stayed up and even was just as excited as Addie Blaire to see her. So fun!!
After she read them a book she gave them each a stocking and in it were a stuffed animal reindeer that came with an official birth certificate. Addie Blaire couldn't decide what she was going to name hers but when Ivy asked Britann she said "2". Which is what she says anytime someone asks her a question, I guess at least she knows how old she is. Then when Ivy asked AB once more she still didn't know and Brit said "3". It was so cute and we all laughed and laughed. AB ended up going on her own and naming hers Rudolph. They also received their very own reindeer food and some cool Christmas treats. Thanks so much to Santa for sending his cute little elf to check on us, the girls were so impressed!
Time for bed!
The next morning we were off early to have a little breakfast with the jolly ole guy himself! The girls were so excited that is until Britann actually saw him and then her ideas changed.
The girls in front of the restaurant where we had breakfast.
Love these two, they are just the most fun!
As you can tell AB was all about Santa she had to make sure when he sat down to visit that he knew she had been a very good girl this year!
Britann on the other hand took a little convincing. As you can see in this picture she was a little hesitate to get too close but he eventually won her over. Santa has a way of doing that you know. He showed them his really neat watch that helps him keep up with time all over the world. Pretty cool stuff if you ask this momma.
I think this picture actually happened at the exact second it needed to because it looks as if Brit was smiling from ear to ear, but in fact a few seconds later there were tears! Thanks Santa for taking the time to hang out with us and get to know both of my babies!
After breakfast we went downstairs and had the most fun making a stocking for each of the girls. AB is so in to crafts these days so she had a blast making her own and they had so many options for decorating I thought we would never decide what we were going to do. Luckily, Ivy was there to help us out!
We had to loosen up and have some fun that afternoon so we spent some time in the arcade because the girls had been begging to go. Brit even learned to drive a car...
and AB and daddy had a few serious rounds of air hockey. I think Addie Blaire gave daddy a run for his money. He had to break out all the stops to try and beat her.
After naps that afternoon we went out for the tree lighting ceremony. They had sand art and leather bracelets that you could engrave. We spent the afternoon with one of Addie Blaire's favorites, Rudolph. Too bad sister got the shock of her life when he came up behind her. I don't think anyone was prepared for the glass shattering scream that came next. Poor baby it took her another 20 minutes to get over that one!
The girls were their sand art.
They even had the coolest thing a man sculpting a block of ice into a snowman. It was pretty amazing to watch him work.
That evening we spent some time on the "Polar Express" train. The girls along with all the other kiddos wore their pjs and drank hot chocolate. The cookies weren't so bad either!
Daddy's little girls!
Santa even stopped by once we got to the North Pole and gave each of the children their very own bell.
It was a great little mini vacation. I know that just thinking about the smiles on my girls faces will make my heart happy for months to come and look forward to next year because I think it has become a new Bobo stop for Christmas for the next few years at least! Merry Christmas everyone!
