While the kids are away.....

Rachel and I will play!  Jessy and Andrew are in Colorado on a mission trip this week (which you can read about here....aren't blogs cool?), and Rachel and I decided we didn't want to sit around the house and be tempted of things like, oh, work and school!  So, when my parents invited us to join them for a couple days in Branson, we jumped on the chance!  They were staying with some of their good friends, and we prepared for a great time.  So far, we haven't been disappointed.
We got here about supper time on Monday, and went directly to the pool.  Because really, where else would you spend your 100 degree evening?  Chatting and drinking wine made the night complete, with a fairly early bedtime to prepare for the next day.

On Tuesday, the girls (Mom, Rachel, Diane, Sue and I) went to Silver Dollar City.  What a day!  There were no lines and no crowds.  Granted, that might have been because it was about 105, but when we were there, we could barely tell!  Silver Dollar City is in a very shady part of the valley, and there was a wonderful breeze.  We also saved all the water rides for the afternoon.  Rachel was a trooper, and enjoyed the fact that she is now 49" tall and can go on all but one of the rides.  Rollercoasters and water rides were the name of the day!!  We left the park at about 4, after just "one more ride", we went to the Branson Belle for a dinner cruise.  The highlights of the evening were the showtune medleys (me), the talking dogs (Rachel), and all Rachel's one liners (everyone we were with!)  :)  A GREAT time was had by all!!!

Today, we took things easy.  We got on Dad's boat at about 10, and spent the day on the water.  Swimming, tubing, and skiing passed the day too quickly!  Oh, did I say skiing?  Yeah, that's right.  Rachel was able to get up on skis for the first time EVER thanks to Greg and Sue (Mom and Dad's friends).  I was not so fortunate, but she was so very proud, and I'm almost glad I didn't get up to spoil her moment!!!  :)  She was a rock star, and even people in surrounding boats were clapping for her! 

Tonight, we are headed to Dixieland Stampede.  Rachel is very excited because horses are her new thing.  I can't wait to watch her face as she enjoys the show.  :)
This is a fabulous way to spend our last vacation of the season.  The memories will be great going into the school year, I'm just sad it all ends tomorrow!!!!
Hope you are enjoying your last few days as much as we are.  See you soon!!!