Just couldn't wait to get on the road again...back to Big Cedar and my favorite Christmas destination where all things twinkle especially my kids eyes as they see the jolly ole St. Nick! We left out after school and headed north. The girls always love a good road trip for what else but the snacks...!! So we are off to a good start..vacation here we come.
Once we got to Branson we headed to our hotel for the first night. We stayed at the Hilton at the landing and it was so nice. The girls were thrilled because we lucked out with the coolest view from every window going down the strip. The neatest part though was that we were directly over the Polar Express train so we watched as everyone loaded up in their pjs and even got a glimpse of Santa Claus.
Even Ely had to get a glimpse of the action!!!
We met up with my parents and sister at the hotel and set off down to the landing for dinner. This was the beautiful tree in our hotel lobby.
It was a wee bit chilly and sprinkling rain but these girls didn't let it stop them. They took off down that street and had the best time running, giggling and singing so we were off to a good start.
We made a stop by Bass Pro and got a little target practice in that evening. AB proved to be a pretty good shot!
I just love all the beautiful Christmas trees everywhere. I know my pictures don't do them justice because photographer I am not, but that really is one of my favorite things about the season.
This was probably my favorite tree we saw. It was several stories high and in the middle of the convention center. I just cant imagine how long it took to decorate!! The girls are at the bottom of pic just to show how huge this thing was.
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and headed straight to Big Cedar because we had breakfast with a very special guy on the agenda. Santa is so nice and he always takes time to answer all the girls questions and show them just exactly how he will make all his stops that fateful night.
B had begun to warm up to the jolly ole guy but not quite enough for a photo op that didn't involve mom!
The most wonderful breakfast of the year...they have anything and everything a girl could want to eat. We usually don't eat the rest of the day after that but it is so worth it at the time.
Checking out the view from breakfast.. these two were so excited and just trying to take it all in.
Round two with Santa and this time we were a little more interested in what he had to say plus we were ready to tell him all that we wanted for Christmas this year. B really didn't have much to say but AB made sure he knew she wanted one thing and one thing only...drum roll please... a harmonica! Yep that was it!
He is such a funny guy that Santa Claus...he had some of the best stories to tell the girls!
After breakfast we enjoyed some cocoa and games.
Then we headed over to make our very own stockings....this process took a little longer than Pop and the dads probably would have liked but when you are dealing with three girls things must be perfect!
Our helpful little Elf Winter that made the whole experience so much fun!
That afternoon after naps (by everyone) we headed over to the tree lighting ceremony. This year I must say was a bit of a let down because it was raining so they had to move the ceremony indoors which wasn't quite the same but we still had a great time and the kids had plenty of crafts and songs to keep them busy. Pop and his little buddie B!
AB made sure to get a picture with this special little reindeer.
The kids were even invited up front to participate in singing Christmas carols and trying to find Santa in the crowd.
Santa even stopped by and gave each of the kids a present. it was a cute fishing game that all the girls had fun playing...even though AB was the only one to get one because the little ones were too scared of Santa. BTW that is why you haven't seen many pictures of L because she wouldn't go close to poor Santa all day!
dinner at the lodge and Pop found a great game to play that involved lots of salt and some lemons that kept these to occupied for a while.
After dinner (yes it was a full day maybe that is why I ended up at the hospital the next morning!) Anyways, we headed out on a trail light wagon tour and one of our crew turned out to be AB. The horse Driver(?) whatever that term is...not a western girl) asked her to help hold the reins and she did a great job but got a little nervous when we started up so she headed back with the crew for the ride.
But not before he gave her a very important job she had to wave the glow stick at cars we might meet on the road...and she and Brit took that job very seriously as you can see!
The ride was one of my favorite things all snuggled up on this horse drawn carriage with the whole family looking at all the Christmas lights. This was the only picture we got and if you know me then you know this was a hard one to post because of the horrific nature of the photograph but I still love it eyes closed and all.
Afterwards, we got to gather around a campfire and sing Christmas carols and my favorite part..eat smores and hot chocolate. My own little personal heaven on earth!
The night ended with a special visit from our Elf Sprinkles to read us a bedtime story and get us all tugged in for a good night's sleep. This year she came with a book called "The Bear Stays up" and she had everyone's attention as you can see.
Then Sprinkles had them all close their eyes because Santa had sent a surprise for each of them...
they each got their very own stocking filled with goodies and a bear to snuggle with just like the one in the story. They were thrilled!
Sprinkles was so sweet to stick around and talk with the girls and answer all their questions. She even had the scoop on Ely our elf that AB was so happy to show her. She said that he really can be kind of stubborn. I told her that sounded just like him and L found out that her elf Joy was always pretty helpful around the work shop. The girls couldn't quit giggly to her all about their precious friends.
Before she left we filled out the official birth certificates for our bears so they are now official ours! And I can't quite remember all the Names but i am pretty sure Cinderella and Snow White were two of them!
Nana and Pop with all these silly girls and one more on the way!!!
After Mitch had taken me to the doctor to find out that I have strep throat (which by the way I wasn't gonna let stop me from having a good time so I took ibuprofen and continued on) we continued this special vacation we had been so looking forward to with a walk around the whole lodge. A wee bit cold at 30 degrees but we bundled up and managed to find a little fun to get into...
forget about freezing temps you can't keep this guy from the golf course!
After naps once again we headed to downtown Branson with a little time to kill and boy did we ever find the spot. We found the best arcade where all of us got to be kinds again with laser games and bowling and play gyms we got some of that cooped up energy out just in time to head to the Dixie Stampede for dinner. We had originally thought to go to Silver Dollar City for the light parade that evening but with temps in the single digits decided that maybe indoors was the way to go especially considering I was under the weather , literally!
We ended the evening with a trip to Dixie Stampede and although that wouldn't normally be my thing .. but I loved it and most of all the kids had a blast!! I think getting to eat with their hands was a highlight for each of them but the show was great! it showed all aspects of Christmas including the nativity with live animals. AB really got into the competition portion of the show with the North Pole vs. the South Pole but all in all it was a great way to end the trip.
I know the trip had its ups and downs with the extremely cold weather, my illness and a few bumps and bruises had by the kiddos but I wouldn't trade a second of the time I got to spend with my family. i know my girls cherish this time just as much as I do and they were just as sad to be coming home as I was but I'm so thankful for all the memories we made while we were there. In the true spirit of Christmas I feel truly blessed, my cup runneth over!! God bless and Merry Christmas!! Next up...Christmas morning is finally here (in February)!
