We had a great trip to Braonson this past week with my side of the family. Wednesday, we loaded up the hooptie van and drove down to KC for the evening to drop Nora off with my folks and go out to celebrate our 5 year anniversary! Of course, we spent our special night at Fogo de Chao and ended up with Starbucks and a walk down by the water. It was such a nice, relaxing evening!
Thursday morning, we switched vehicles and took my parents van on a 4 hour ride to the Ozarks. While there were a few bumps along the way with getting situated at the lake house, we ended the evening at The Steak Inn and watching at movie back home. It was a great way to kick things off.
The next two days were full of boat rides, swimming and Silver Dollar City happenings. Friday morning we enjoyed being out on the water and Nora has her first lake swimming experience with her Daddy and Uncle Yeah-Yeah. She did great and even kept her life jacket on with little to no complaining.
Obviously, Nora had no desire to get out of the water. Poor gal cried the whole way home.
Later that afternoon (after a nap-less day by Nora), we went to Silver Dollar City for lots of rides, music and of course funnel cakes. Nora went on her first “real” rides, the hopping frogs and the butterflies. She absolutely loved them. She was just a little over 34 inches, and most of the rides there require you to be 36 inches tall. So maybe next year we will be able to ride a few more.
My new most favorite picture ever. Nothing says love like a Daddy riding a butterfly with his little girl. He is such a great dad!
Nora found a train and, duh, we spent quite a bit of time climbing through it. I’ve never seen a child as obsessed with trains as she is.
And no Branson trip would be complete with out the classic sideways walk picture in Grandfather’s Mansion, growing belly and all 🙂
We really had such a nice time with my family. Branson has always been a family favorite, but it’s even more fun with a little one in tow. Thanks Mom and Dad for a weekend full of lots of love and joy!

These pictures are just too cute! Love them all! What a great time!
That pic of nora on the carousel pointing at you…omg!
Oh my gosh, twinsie weekends for sure! 🙂 We've actually talked about switching to table rock just for SDC…what fun for the little ones! Nora looks so sweet with her big girl ponytail…and the picture of her clapping to the show could be the CUTEST thing ever!