June was busy as usual. 2 kids' birthdays, those same 2 going to camp 2 different weeks, plus our VBS at church. In July, I spent some time working on my office area and getting things reorganized.
School was to start the 2nd week of August. I checked the calendar to match school, Seth's work, and our family schedules. Only one weekend would work for a visit to Branson - the first weekend in August.
We had already decided we wouldn't be going to the Cannon reunion in Iowa, or family camp, or visit Seth's family in Idaho. And now it looked like we wouldn't be going to the Greenlee reunion in Wyoming, either. Branson was our goal for the summer. And financially the only option anyway.
Why Branson?
Well, in 2000, after I graduated from college, we were hired to work at Village Creek Bible Camp in northern Iowa. While there, we met some great friends who later moved to Branson and opened their own shop: Grandma Ruth's Cinnamon Rolls. It has become quite popular with the best cinnamon rolls you'll ever taste. We sent anyone we knew to Grandma Ruth's when they went to Branson. But, we have never gone.
The last time we saw this family was in 2004 for Grandma Ruth's and Reuben's 50th anniversary. They were the first people we told when we were expecting our first baby. They were there during J's first few months of life before we moved to Wichita. We visited again the following summer and they joined us on a youth group trip to Idaho. They got to meet K at the anniversary party. Then we said goodbye for 10 years.
It was time to visit. We saved money and prepared. And we finally did it. We got to see many attractions thanks to business connections, including Jonah, Smoke on the Mountain, and Paul Harris, the comedian.
At the zoo we got to feed the animals, including these birds.
Me with each of my 3 joeys, 1 literally, hahaha.
They each got to pet a joey, too, among other baby animals.
One of the many shows we watched was Six. It's an accapella group made up of 6 brothers. They were probably my favorite show.
There was some downtime when we could swim in the hotel pool.
We took some time to go mini golfing.
Just before going in to watch Rick Thomas, the illusionist, we saw our very first woodchuck.
We spent an hour on this fun slide.
The awkward thing was coming off the slide to an audience. Legs up in the air, arms flailing about, hair swirled around the face, and don't even mention the position of the suit....no one comes off a water slide gracefully. LOL
We also got to visit the Titanic. When you board the ship, you are given a boarding pass with the name and information about an actual passenger. At the end of the tour, you would find out if you survived or not. Little A and K were both 3rd class. J was 2nd class. Seth and I were both on the crew. All of us survived.
There was a beautiful mini grand piano in one of the rooms. It wasn't a guided tour, but there were guides along the way to give information. One guide asked if anyone could play the piano. I was in the background not really paying attention, but I raised my hand. She asked if I would play. Seriously?!?! I don't play well under pressure, however. I attempted 2 songs I kind of knew from memory....and didn't finish either one. Oh, well. It was a privilege to play.
AAAAHHHHH!!!! We're sinking!!!!
I have done research on the Titanic and the people aboard the ship. I found it so heartbreaking reading the names of those who died, especially the children. There was a small pool of water in the museum being held at 28* in which you could stick your hand and see how long you could keep it there. The people on the Titanic had no choice but to sit in this frigid water and wait to be rescued or die waiting. Seth was able to keep his hand in it for the full 3 minutes on the timer. I couldn't quite make it to 15 seconds. I enjoyed touring the Titanic museum and would like to go back and visit longer.
Ruth and Reuben recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary!
It was a great time. We had a lot of fun. We picked up right where we left off. Even J bonded with them as if we had never been apart. Not sure when we'll make it back to Branson and they are so busy with the business that it is very difficult for them to get away. We both said we would make an effort to visit each other.
For now, it's back to school. New schedules, new routine, new adventures.
K, first day of 6th grade.
J, first day of 7th grade.
My 2 middle schoolers!
Little A beginning 2nd grade at home.
Until next time....
