A Fall Break Get-A-Way - Enjoying Table Rock Lake at The Tribesmen Resort

This Tuesday, after a busy evening of soccer practice, packing, and Parent/Teacher Conferences, we headed to meet Grandma and Papa in Branson, Missouri.  (Just in case you are wondering, the conferences were for Evan and Payton.  Both kiddos are on the Honor Roll and Evan's teacher said that he is adjusting very well from skipping a grade. Yay!)  Branson, MO holds a very special place in our hearts.  It's the first place that we went on vacation as a little family of 6.  You can read all about it here, here, and here.  A lot has changed since our last vacation there.  Addi and Karsyn were both in diapers then, Karsyn was still a nursing baby, and now she can walk. =) 

Since Branson is about a 4 hour drive away,  we didn't get in until a little after midnight.  The kiddos were all so excited when we got there, that they stayed up for about another hour!!!  Despite being up so late, by the crack of dawn, they were all up again and ready for the day.

After breakfast, the girls and Grandma packed us up a lunch to enjoy that afternoon.  Our plans were to have a picnic on a boat as we explored Table Rock Lake. The girls made an assembly line.

Karsyn, Payton, & Addi

Karsyn got a little distracted from her job of being the bread girl. She took a few bites of  bread and made herself a couple of mayo sandwiches.

Karsyn

Karsyn

While the girls were making the sandwiches, Daddy, Grandpa, and Evan went down to the office of the resort and picked up keys to a pontoon boat.   We packed up in the car and headed down to the dock.  All of the kiddos were super excited to see the ducks at the lake.

We all put our life jackets on (so we can be safe.  Dora, anyone?) Then, we were off to enjoy beautiful Table Rock Lake.

Addi, Grandma, Papa, & Evan ready to go!!!

Payton & Mama

Daddy pointing out an island.

Table Rock Lake looks is nestled in the Ozark Mountains.  The rock surrounding the lake is really pretty.

Papa and Payton

Addi was SOOOO happy when Daddy let her drive the boat!

This little table swiveled.  As far as Karsyn was concerned, she was the one steering the boat. ha! Her baby had to go with us too!

Evan & Mama

Evan's turn to drive the boat!!!!

Papa & Grandma

Payton was so excited when Daddy said it was her turn to drive the boat!

Karsyn & Addi driving the boat.  Karsyn doesn't just bring herself a baby, she makes sure Addi has one too.  She always gives Addi the purple baby, because purple is Addi's favorite color.



Karsyn took a little cap nap.  It's hard to snuggle in life jackets.

We were allowed to drive to the bridge in the boat.  The other side was Arkansas!

After Karsyn's little nap, it was her turn to drive too!

Addi snuggled up to Papa and enjoyed a plum.  You can see the Branson Belle behind them.

Karsyn tried to become captain a time or two. =)

On our way back to dock the boat, we were greeted by a lot of turtles.

Spending the afternoon on the boat was a lot of fun.  It sure brought back a lot of good memories for Daddy, Papa, and Grandma.  They had a boat for a while when Jason was growing up and enjoyed it on an Oklahoma lake.  They also had cruised Table Rock Lake before with a big group of family. 

When we were back on dry land, the kiddos fed the ducks.  The ducks were down right feisty with one another.  One snapped another on the tail feathers. That made the kids crack up. ha!

Evan & Payton

Daddy, Karsyn, Addi, & Papa

After a fun afternoon on the boat, while everyone was supposed to be laying down, some rough housing took place and Evan's glasses got snapped in half.  Fortunately, the lens were okay.  We went to the Wal-Mart Vision Center and found a pair of frames that fit the lens.  Daddy was very impressed with the staff.  (We think it's kind of crazy that Wal-Mart Vision Centers aren't allowed in Oklahoma.) 

By the time we got back, we were all starving!!!  Daddy and Papa fired up the grill. 

Papa & Daddy

While we were waiting for the chicken to cook, we had a lot of fun playing and hunting acorns.

Addi playing on Daddy's phone.

Papa, Karsyn, & her baby played a game of tag.

Addi, Papa, & Payton had fun looking for different kinds of rocks.  There are many caves and caverns in the area, so there are all kinds of neat rocks.  Payton found a rock and asked what kind it was.  I jokingly told her it was deer poop.  The look on her face was priceless.  I don't think I'd ever heard Grandma laugh so hard. LOL!

Then things got crazy! ha!  I might have told Papa to give the tree a smooch, but I was surprised that he did it.  Papa's silly side comes out around his grands!

The kiddos all really enjoyed hunting for acorns!  I love it when they enjoy doing something so simple.

Evan showing off the big acorn he just found.

We ate a very yummy dinner of grilled chicken, salad and corn on the cob.  Then, we went to check out the game room at The Tribesmen.  On the way there, we saw about 6 deer.  Evan and Payton played video games.  Addi and Karsyn and I played in the toy room near by.  I was kind of excited when I saw the kitchen set.  It was the exact same kitchen set I had growing up!!!

Karsyn making me a drink.

After Evan and Payton spent all of their quarters (and their little sisters' quarters too), we started walking back to the house we were staying in. But, before we made it all the way home, Grandma, Evan, Daddy, and Payton all played a game of tether ball. And let me tell you, the little girls tried to get in and play a few times, but it was a pretty cut throat game.  We didn't know Grandma could move like that. ha!

Tether Ball Fun!

Grandma was in it to win it.

Addi & Karsyn tried to join in, but it was too crazy!!!

The little ladies decided to play "hopscotch" instead.

After having so much fun playing, the kiddos all had a bath.  Payton made yummy smores for everyone.  They were delish!  The little girls and I decided it was bedtime after that.  Daddy, Evan, Payton, Grandma, and Papa all stayed up and played Monopoly as they waited for Uncle Brian and Aunt Stephanie to arrive.  It was a really fun day!  A Fall Break Get-A-Way - Silver Dollar City coming up next. =)