So it's been probably a week since I posted on here. Sorry -- we were busy with a short Branson get-away and a snow storm. Anyone who knows us knows that if we plan a trip to Missouri (especially in the winter months) then it means a storm will probably occur. One time it took us 13 hours to make the 5 1/2 hour trip to my in-laws. This latest trip has been planned for a couple of months so the snow storm that came in should not have taken anyone by surprise.
We planned a trip to Branson. With the weather forecast we left a little earlier to get ahead of the storm. We rented a van for the trip so all nine of us could ride together. We had a great trip -- didn't run into any weather until about Springfield. Then we really hit the weather. We had our day planned to eat at The Burger Shack in Branson. We were going to ride the Polar Express that evening and go to Burger Shack afterwards. We decided that since it was lunch time and we were in Springfield we should go to Lamberts. Since it was lunch time there is always a concern about how long the line will be. No worries here today. Because of the storm there was absolutely no line at noon at Lambert's. We got right in to an almost empty restaurant. As usual, the food was excellent. Remington really enjoyed talking to the guy who threw the rolls. Remington now wants to be the roll-thrower at Lambert's when he grows up.
Onward to Branson we go. Roads are starting to get a little bit slippery by now but we made it with no problem. Checked into our hotel (a little place off the strip that Gary and I found). We unload the van and head down to Branson Landing to look around until time for our train ride. Due to the weather several of the shops were closed but we still enjoyed ourselves. Finally we go to board the Polar Express. Perfect evening to be riding it as the snow is falling big fluffy flakes. If you haven't seen the movie you should. The ride was great! Hot cocoa (well mine was kinda warmish but still good) cookies. They read the book Polar Express to us. We sang Christmas songs, Santa paid a visit awesome experience. When Santa visited he gave the kids on the train a jingle bell (watch the movie!). Remington and Lily happened to notice that the bell said 'made in China'. They asked the conductor where Santa got his bells from. The answer the North Pole was given and they asked why it said made in China? LOL Quick recovery - the job was outsourced so the elves would have more time to make toys for Christmas.
But the most exciting part of the trip for Remington was when the hobo came on board (again - watch the movie if you haven't seen it). He was beside himself with excitement!! Yes, our Polar Express train ride was very successful.
Off we go to Burger Shack. It's closed!! And part of the road is closed also due to icy roads. If you aren't aware, Branson is nothing but hills. We go another way around and end up at Pizza World for supper. Good food - bellies full ready to head to hotel. Our plans did include a ride through the Trail of Lights but it was closed due to the weather. Our hotel involves a turn that goes straight up a hill. Well, we slid a little bit and hit the guard rail. No accident to us but rental van doesn't fare as well. Gary backs out gets turned around and we try again. We make it part way up then get stuck. Gary, Michael and Chris get out to push. Not having much luck K.C. also gets out to help. K.C. is checking direction of my wheels when 3 guys show up walking and offer their assistance.
Lily is in the back seat. She held her jingle bell up and says: "If they only believe in themselves I know they could do it. If they only believe they have to believe!" She then jingles her bell and sure enough - we make it up the hill!! She said: They did it! They believed!.
Whew! What a day and our adventure has just begun. Next day most everything is closed as it has continued to snow all night. Guess we won't be going to Silver Dollar City today. We decide to head back to Springfield and go to Bass Pro. This was an excellent idea and we all had lots of fun. Gary said the drive was a little rough but we made it safe. We go back to Branson and head to Burger Shack for lunch. This was excellent - just like we were expecting. We then head off to the Wax Museum for the afternoon. What fun we had here. They took our picture as we went in and when we finished and were looking at our pictures the kids saw that their Elf on the Shelf Doug was in the picture!!! What excitement! He hadn't shown up at their house yet. Word was that he was training some new elves this year. We started looking at our pictures from Bass Pro and saw that he had snuck into one of them also. Man! We never even saw him around. Remington was pretty sure that when they took our picture at the Wax Museum he saw something red out of the corner of his eye.
Back to the hotel to rest for the adults and the kids played in the snow. We then decided to 'put on our Sunday best and head to Wal-Mart'. Had some fun there when we found some elf hats that lit up and played a song. I have videos of Lily, Remington and K.C.. I'll share K.C.'s if the price is right. LOL We had checked and Trail of Lights was still closed so we decided to pick up a board game to play. Good call on our part. We then went to ShoGuns to eat and then back to the hotel to play Quelf. On the way we stop at Wal-Greens (not my choice I boycott this store) to get some snacks. Gary and Michael go inside and the rest of us stay in the van. Chris was playing around with my seat and got the back titled way back. I then became victim of the Seat Attack. Stow and Go seats and I don't mix it seems. I unbuckle and move to the edge of my seat and turn around. I find what I think is the handle to move the seat back into position. All of a sudden the seat attacks me!! I swear it slammed itself forward, the head rest folds down, I get hit in the nose, my glasses fly off! Wow!
We finally make it back to the hotel and start to play Quelf. This game is so much fun. Hard to explain but we have some excellent videos. I do believe though that Michael and I got the worst cards of all and had to do the most stupidest stuff. And I gotta say - when I performed the Rockette moves for 30 minutes I surprised not only my family but myself as well. I may have arthritis and a fake knee but I did some high kicking. LOL I can vouch for the fact the Remington's socks stink BAD! Michael does a great job thumb wrestling (we were able to see how he spends his days at the office), Lily can make a paper airplane that will fly farther than Chris', and K.C. makes a great mummy.
Saturday - time to check out. Silver Dollar City is supposed to be partially open but we decide to do some shopping then head home (sorry Michael - thought you knew the plan. I want to go back and see the lights if we can). We make it up some slippery hills (small mountains) to find out that the Branson Mills we want to go to doesn't open till 11. We head back to Branson Landing where we spend some time at Brookstone. Remington and I loved the sand box they had there. Wish I could afford it but no way am I paying $60-$80 for sand to play with. Everyone except me enjoyed trying out the massage chairs. Back to Branson Mills to walk around then lunch then we head back home. As we drop off Michael, K.C. and the kids Lily tells me that she also fell victim to the Seat Attack. You might know it would be her and I that get attacked.
We had a great time, made great memories. Not the vacation we had planned but we still had fun.
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