Sam and Ben's Exciting Life: Family Vacation

Last week we went on a wonderful family vacation to Branson, MO. The best part was that we got to go with Matt's entire family!! I'm so sad it's over but we packed a lot in the week and got to spend a lot of quality time with each other.

It started with a 3 1/2 hour drive to Branson. Ben took full advantage of the road trip and ate snacks the entire way down there. Both boys loved being able to watch movies in the car, which we only do during long rides. We loved that they didn't fall asleep until half and hour before we reached our destination and didn't get much of a nap.

Once we got there we all got settled in the adorable cabin that Matt's parents rented for all of us

Welcoming committee:

The next morning we woke up bright and early and went to Silver Dollar City, a theme park with lots of rides:

The big kids and G & G went to the big rides and we went to the kiddie part of the park. The first thing we had to do was ride the train, of course:

There were even robbers that tried to hold up the train. Sam was keeping a close eye on them:

The low point of the day......Two boys got on the ride:

Only one boy was still on when it started:

.....and the ride had to stop half way through because he tried to jump out of his seat and get off. Lesson learned: The boys love rides- if we are on them too.

After that we went on the tea cups:

We had 2-day passes to Silver Dollar City so we decided to call it a day shortly after that.

The boys absolute favorite part of the entire trip:- hanging out with their cousins! We did so much during the days that everyone was exhausted at night and we all just hung out at the cabin. We took turns cooking dinners and it worked out perfectly.

The next day the older kids and Aunt Tracy and Aunt Allison went to a water park and G&G and us took the boys to play miniature golf and go to the pool.

The next day it was back to Silver Dollar City. I only had two goals of the trip. 1. Have the entire family take an old timey pic. You know, those ones where everyone dresses up in old western wear and doesn't smile for the camera. Despite my best efforts and lots of begging, it didn't happen. 2. Take a picture on big on the big chair. We accomplished that one :)

Here are all the kids minus Alec and Grandma. I wish Alec was in here, it would have made the pic to have all of them!

Ok, one more, just one more! I told you I really wanted pics on this chair! My sweet niece, Katie, who I just love so much, and me :)

There was a ride called the "big swing", I think. It was soooo much fun! You can't see them, but this is a picture of Matt and our nephew Owen screaming their heads off on the ride:

Ben and Sam's favorite part of the day....when we bought them rock suckers and they were in an air conditioned store:

When we got home all the kids were showing off all their new tye dye Silver Dollar City t-shirts. From someone who loves tye dye, I think they all looked pretty darn cool. Here are Cooper and Owen showing off their matching t's, baseballs, and stamped pennies.

Once we got to Branson, I realized that I had forgotten to pack anything to wear to bed or a swimsuit cover up. So, I treated myself to a t-shirt too. Got a deal though, of course!

Here is one of the only pics I got of all the kids together. And, proud to say, they all (even Ben and Sam) were rockin' the tye dye! I love this picture because Jack, the oldest cousin, is holding Ben, the youngest. It's so sweet.

Sam and Katie sharing a piece of cake to celebrate their uncle's birthday. I attempted to braid Katie's hair, Katniss Everdeen style.

Ben thought he was so cool when his big cousin, Owen let him wear his shark tooth necklace:

Ben proudly posing with the real owner of the necklace. Their cousins are so so great with them. They are always playing with the boys, asking them for hugs, and just plain giving them attention that I know makes Ben and Sam feel so special. I love his face here:

LOVE this pic! Cooper reading to Sam. Sam staring at Cooper:

The day before we left us girls went shopping at the outlet malls and the guys watched the kids. It was so much fun to just hang out with Matt's mom and sisters. If only we had a pick of the white jean jacket, right?!

I don't feel too bad about shopping because Matt got to golf this beautiful course:

On our way out of town we stopped at Lilley's Landing. It is a fishing spot with cabins. Matt's dad and his buddies have gone down there to fish for the last 40 years. Now Matt goes on the trip.

Here is Grandpa and Grandma's attempt to take a picture with all the kids on the last day after lots of fun and not much sleep. Notice Sam squirmed out of Grandpa's lap: