Our Annual Trip to Branson.

Last weekend, my dad, stepmom, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, niece, Matt & I made our annual trip to Branson. This year, we were there from Thursday to Sunday.

We had a total blast! We stayed in a very nice condo that had a full kitchen, spacious living room, big bedrooms & a screened in porch.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL the whole weekend. Not too hot, not too cold. Just about as perfect as you could get.

On Friday, we spent most of the day at Silver Dollar City. We ate dinner at pizza restaurant called Luigi's & then did a little shopping at the Outlets.

On Saturday, we went to the Titanic Museum, shopped at the Branson Landings (an open air mall) & then went to the Dixie Stampede for dinner & a show.

On Sunday, we went to a different outlet mall, where we shopped for a few hours. Matt & I had to be home at 6:00 for a friend's birthday dinner, so we left Branson around 12:30.

The only not so perfect part of the weekend was when my stomach started hurting SO FREAKING BAD on Saturday. The pain went from off & on to constant to I thought I was going to die.

By the time we got to the Dixie Stampede that night, it hurt to walk, sit or stand. I don't think everyone knew I was in such pain...I didn't want to ruin anyone's fun, but there was a point before the show started that I almost asked Matt to take me back to the condo.

Thankfully, I started feeling better during the show, but my stomach didn't really feel normal again til at least Wednesday. I guess I just ate something that didn't agree with me.

Anyway, I have lots of pictures to show, so I'll just let them tell the rest of our weekend.

Riley played some games at SDC & this was the first "prize" she won. A fox she named "Foxy".

We all won!

Jackson has a monkey on his back.

My sister with her dolphin & Riley with Foxy & Quackly.

This was a big step for me. I don't ride rides. They scare me. But, I told myself I would 2 on this trip. I did the swings & the elephants.

Riley & Jack.

How cute is this picture? Matt (Mop) did the kiddie roller coaster with Jackson.

The swings.

We can't tell if Jackson liked the ride or not.

The elephant ride. That's my dad.

Me getting ready to ride.

My stepmom!

Holly & the girl on this really fast mini pirate ship ride.

Riley popped 3 balloons with each dart. Seriously. She was queen of the dart throwing.

The big pirate ship. Can you see my dad in the way back?

Jack & Miss Thang.

On the Flooded Mine ride. Oh, wait...I guess I did 3 rides.

Holly & Riley.

Don't ask.

Riley wearing her new cupcake nightgown.

Eating cupcakes.

The Titanic Museum.

My lunch at San Francisco Oven. Yum.

Matt's lunch.

Us after lunch & before shopping!

Riley Grace.

My sister & Matt.

Sisters.

Dixie Stampede. Matt & I have now seen all 3 DS's in the country. Piegon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina & Branson, Missouri.

Our waitress asked Jackson to be a part of the show. He & 3 other kids got to chase chickens.

Jack's chicken didn't win, but he still got a medal & a book.

Another picture of the show.

Look how big this cupcake is?

**Update** In Need Of...

THREE Taylor Swift tickets for Saturday, September 26th at Verizon Arena in Arkansas.

They went on sale this past Friday & we didn't think they would sell out so fast.

If you have tickets to sell or know someone who does, please let me know!

**Update: I appreciate everyone telling me to check Stubhub & ebay! Thanks for the suggestion. But, before I posted this, I checked those websites first. Yes, there are PLENTY of tickets for sale, but they are WAY MORE than face value & I really don't want to pay $100 per ticket. That's why I was HOPING someone who reads my blog & might have tickets to sell, would be kind enough to not charge me double what they paid.**

Snippets of a Conversation.

My 8 year old niece started 3rd grade today.

My 5 year old niece started kindergarten today.

They live a few hours away from us, so I called them when I got home from work to see how their day went.

Here's some of my conversation with M, the 5 year old.

Me: "What did you wear for your 1st day?"

M: "Pants, a cowgirl shirt & a cowgirl jacket."

Me: "Did you get kinda hot?"

M: (pause) "Maybe a little."

Me: "Tell me what you did in school today?"

M: "I got there, played, colored, ate lunch, went outside, came back inside, colored & came home."

Me: "Did you see your sister at all today?"

M: "Yes, when we driving home."

Then I asked her what Harper was doing (their 9 month old Beagle) & she says, "Sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor, looking at me."

Oh.

Here's part of my conversation with S, the 8 year old.

Me: "Did you wear a new outfit today?"

S: "Yes."

Me: "What was it?"

S: "A purple shirt & a vest...well, it looks like a vest but it's attached to the shirt. And, jeans with purple hearts on them."

Me: "Do you like your teacher?"

S: "Yes." (She's very forthcoming, isn't she? Ha!)

Me: "What's her name?" (this is me assuming she has a woman teacher).

S: "Mr. Clark. He's a boy teacher." (Wendy...forgive me here. I really couldn't remember what S told me...but, I know she said he's a boy).

Me: "Isn't this your 2nd boy teacher?"

S: "Yes, my 1st boy teacher was in 1st grade."

Me: "Do you have a bunch of friends you already knew in your class?"

S: "Yes." (Again, so forthcoming with information! Hee hee).

I was so glad to talk to them. But, I have to admit, when I was talking to M, I kinda teared up because listening to her describe her day, made me miss her & her sister a lot!

I'm glad they had good first days!

*****

Jackson started 2nd grade today. When Riley realized he was going to school, she asked my sister if she got to school today too. Holly told her no, she was going to stay home with her.

Riley said, "GOOD!". Ha!

Busy, Busy, Busy.

This summer has FLOWN by.

Faster than any other summer that I can remember.

We didn't do much in June.

July was busier.

And, so far, August has been pretty quiet.

But, still...it's just gone by sooooooo fast.

However, it feels like things are just getting started!

We'll be in Branson this weekend with my dad, stepmom, sister, BIL, nephew & niece. We've got lots of fun things planned! And, I'm very excited.

Then, when come home, only to fly to Chicago a week or so later! We'll be there for 4 days!

After Chicago, my sister, niece, nephew & I are going to Texas to visit my aunt, uncle & cousins for a few days.

The next weekend after that is the Taylor Swift concert that my sister & I are taking Riley to...followed by the Dave Matthews concert 3 days later!

It seems as though September is shaping up to be the craziest & most expensive month yet.

But, SO MUCH FUN!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

My 31st Birthday.

I turned 31 on July 31st.

My golden birthday.

And, what a birthday it was!

It started at the beginning of that week when my friend Avie told Matt that I needed a "poppin" outfit for my birthday party.

I didn't have time AT ALL to even think about going to the mall to try to find something...my week was super busy.

On Thursday at work, Matt asked Mallory (Avie's SIL) what she was doing that night. When she said she didn't have plans, he asked her if she'd help him find me a "poppin" outfit.

So, they met at the mall a little while later & started searching for an outfit. Our other friend, Drew, was also with them because he had to return a shirt.

They started searching & had several outfits picked out, but couldn't decide on which one to buy.

So...

They called Avie...who, I'm told, got to the mall at the speed of light.

She walked into Forever 21, saw the outfits & I'm told immediately picked out this dress (which was one of the choices) & some cute dangly earrings.

If you know me, you know I don't do dangly earrings. I always thought they didn't look good on me. Matt told Avie that I don't wear dangly earrings, but she said I'd have to for my birthday.

She & Mal also picked out a bangle bracelet to go with my new dress (except that when they told Matt & Drew I needed a bangle, Drew thought they said "bagel").

When Matt got home from the mall, he let me open my gifts & then told me the story about his adventure at the mall with Mal, Avie & Drew.

I heart presents.

Wii Sports Resort. Yay!

My bangle (bagel) bracelets.

The dress.

The earrings.

When I got to work on Friday, this is how my desk looked. After they left the mall, Mallory & Drew came back to work & decorated my desk! Such a nice surprise!

Chelsea, another friend & co-worker, made me some "Chocolate Chip Dip". OMG, y'all...this stuff is GOOOOOOOOOD.

Friday night was my big party! My friends, Matt, my sister & my brother-in-law met at Gusano's for dinner. Avie gave me my birthday present: a yellow purse & cute "R" key chain.

When I opened my present, we realized that several other girls were carrying yellow purses.

PHOTO OP!

My sister & me.

Taking a shot!

After Gusano's, we went to The Attic for some dancing. This is Josh (friend & co-worker) about to take another shot.

What a face!

Josh & Lauren.

Avie & Scooter "breakin' it off" on the dance flo'.

Me & the Jello Shot girl.

Cecillea, Pete, Shannon, Lauren, Courtney & me.

Me, Mallory, Avie & Jessica.

Jessica, Josh & me.

On Saturday, we went to my mother-in-law's house to celebrate my birthday, as well as her birthday! Here we are with our cake as everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to us.

Make a wish!

Presents!

Yay! MONEY!!

Then, on Sunday night, we went to my mom's house to celebrate my birthday & my brother-in-law's birthday. His birthday is the day before mine!

Blowing out the candle. Can you see Riley in the background trying to blow it out too?

Matt, Riley & me.

My wonderful husband & me.

Presents! A cute purple beaded necklace from my dad & stepmom.

Yay! More presents.

My sister & Matt.

My dad & me.

What a GREAT 31st birthday I had! And, thanks to Avie, I am totally addicted to dangly earrings! In fact, she cleaned out her jewelry box & gave me 19 pairs of earrings!