...Branson Bonanza...

...Branson Bonanza...

...one of our many traditions in this house is packing up for four days and heading to Branson, MO...specifically Big Cedar Lodge...and while we used to do it in August...we have switched to fall and I must say, we all love the fall at Big Cedar...

...we've done the shows, rented a boat and seen the fly fishing at Dogwood Cabin...but this year, we were looking for some new adventures...combined with some real R&R after a crazy month of travel for everyone...

...and it didn't take long for these two to settle into our 'racecar' cabinet as Chase called it...

...and then we were quickly off to Bass Pro Shops to pick out a new fishing pole...Chase and Ava have been earning marbles for good behavior over the last three months...and the reward for a full marble jar is picking out a surprise, which Chase decided long ago would be a fishing pole...

...and then it was time to put the poles to good use...

...and we spent lots of time getting the poles in the water but the most documented of the casts was the single success story...

...because when you catch your first fish EVER and it is a nice little sunfish with Daddy...it is a total success...

...and it was surprisingly this little love bug that caught the first and only one...there was far too many distractions for an almost four year old to focus on a bobber...

...and we are thinking maybe part of the reason the fishing pier didn't work for us was the kids love of stomping up and down the metal ramp...fishing is a patient sport that must be taught...and we are just starting the lessons...

...the settings are beautiful in Southern Missouri...with rolling hills and lots of water...

...and Big Cedar does a great job of making you feel like you are 'roughing it' out in nature...yet you are in total luxury...my kind of 'roughing it'...

...and speaking of nature...we found a fall fest complete with pony rides...


...and then Mommy and Daddy were feeling adventurous and decided to take them for a hike...




...which we later called the 'trail of tears' because we got a little lost in the woods and spent about an hour and a half on the 'hike'...but all's well that end's well...we just worked up an appetite for the smores at the Big Cedar Bonfire...




...these two loved riding around the resort in the back...it's not real roads so they lived it up...

...and getting back to the cabin nightly was the perfect spot to settle in and get ready for bed......well kind of...I tried several times but they are always blurry when you are jumping like crazy...



...such a nice place to relax and get some Zzzz's after a long day of play...

...and in the spirit of new adventures...we packed up and headed for Silver Dollar City for a day of fun...and with temperatures in the 70's, short ride lines and more food options than anyone needs, we were able to pack in lots of fun...

...coupled with a little bit of excitement...

...or a lotta excitement...

...we couldn't stop laughing about this picture...although I have to hand it to Chase...I'm not sure I ever got Gramma on any rides like this when I was younger...and he had her hopping ride to ride at one point...

...and then we snuck in a few games...and our little baseball player tossed a perfect ball for a winning big bear....

...but not this one, she had no interest in talking with the game worker or tossing a ball with her brother...

...but go karting was an interest for the Papa's and Daddy's...

...there is fun to be had all over Branson...

...and with a great trip in the books, we were off for home with the traditional stop at Lamberts, home of the throwed rolls...where they literally throw the rolls at you...and they are so good....this was Chase's first real catches...he went four for four on the roll catching...

...and then we were home...and got to see the one member of the family we were missing all weekend...

...getting away was a great way to connect after a crazy 6 weeks of travel and we had been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time...thank you Gramma and Papa for taking us to Big Cedar and continuing our fall tradition...we love you guys...

...and now off to focus on the upcoming Birthday Boy in this house...