Branson With the Grandkids July 2013

Gary (Granddad in this post!) and Betsy (Ma in this post!) took all three GRANDkids to Branson for a Grandparent Vacation! We met Brent and Jessica halfway on a Sunday to pick up the kids. Granddad had a hunting magazine for Bennett, a football magazine for Sutton, and Ma had an American Girl magazine for Anna Claire to read. Sutton stayed on the same page for almost thirty minutes. He never turned the page.

Honestly, most of the driving time was spent watching "Tom and Jerry" and "Veggie Tales."

The kids were so excited. We took the fifth-wheel and stayed at Indian Pointe campground in Branson. That was the best campground if you are going to Silver Dollar City and White Water. It was three miles from Silver Dollar City.

We arrived about 4:00 p.m. After setting up camp we headed to the lake for some kayaking and swimming.

 We arrived at Silver Dollar City about 10:15 a.m. It was a very hot day but everyone was so excited. And I mean, EXCITED!

It didn't take long to find the Log Ride. Ma stayed with the stroller and the diaper bag that had inside her purse, camera, and other essentials.

Then, it was Ma's turn.

Anna Claire was so excited that Ma got wet! My shirt did dry but I was sooo wet. I didn't expect to be wringing wet!

Then we headed to the area where there were rides for Sutton. His afternoon nap begins at 1:30 p.m. so wisely we decided to do his stuff first.

Ma and Bennett

Granddad and Anna Claire.

Anna Claire and Bennett.

Anna Claire, Bennett, Ma and Sutton. Sutton was too young to ride with Anna Claire and Bennett. An adult had to ride right behind him.

Sutton loved the "froggy" ride so Ma and Grandad "got to" ride the froggy many, many times! Sutton loved this ride so much Ma had to give him a lesson on not cutting in line. He would run down the aisle to get to the front and practically push people out of the way. He literally would be standing at the gate with both hands on the gate.

 The water gun park was a favorite of Anna Claire and Bennett.

The ball play area was a favorite of all three kids. You would collect the balls and then do all sorts of things with them.

Sutton did his best to hold as many balls as he could.

We were always trying to find something. Here Granddad is looking for something and Sutton saw somewhere he wanted to go...the log ride. He is pointing right at the log ride.

The Flooded Mine was the least favorite of Anna Claire's. She did not care for the ride at all. Bennett loved it. While riding in a boat you ride through a tunnel and shoot at targets.

The Riverboat Ride was Ma and Sutton's least favorite. While riding in a boat with water guns you pass other boats with water guns. Well, you know what happens then! I tried so hard to shield Sutton's face. He did not like getting sprayed and I didn't either. We were miserable.

 

As soon as the ride is over along the path there are water guns and people on the sidewalk can also spray water at the people in boats. Anna Claire and Sutton LOVED doing that! Of course, the people in the boat can spray you back.

And then, White Water. This is the next day. We arrived to White Water all sunscreened, hats, and t-shirts for the guys. Ma made Bennett and Sutton wear t-shirts all day. The last thing I wanted was sunburned children.

 Ma with Anna Claire and Bennett getting ready to ride the "family tube."

Nap time. It must be 1:30 p.m. You can set your watch by Sutton's naps. He was so tired he didn't even need his blankie.

 Anna Claire.

Day 3. Silver Dollar City again. Anna Claire woke up sick and didn't know if she could make it or not. We went to the cinnamon roll place and had a long breakfast. By the time we were through she was fine. Either she didn't drink enough water at White Water or maybe her eating habits were so different. We were definitely eating different foods! This day Sutton knew what to expect and he was sooo excited! He was very excited over his shirt. He called it the Spiderman shirt but it's really Ironman.

 Ma and Sutton.

 A happy Granddad with Anna Claire.

 A very content and happy Ma.

 Sutton playing on Ma's phone.

 Bennett listening to a Bluegrass band.

 Bennett, Anna Claire and Sutton.

 Granddad, Anna Claire and Bennett at the shooting range.

 Yes, the "Froggy Ride" again! Sutton loves, and I mean loves, this ride.

 Ma and Sutton on the butterfly.

 Bennett and Anna Claire in the tea cup.

 Anna Claire

 Just two happy kids...Anna Claire and Bennett.

 Aww, leaving Silver Dollar City for the second time.

 Bennett, Granddad and Sutton.

 Not sure what this is but water is coming from it. Anna Claire and Sutton.

Our last night Ma, Anna Claire and Sutton went to the Dixie Stampede. Bennett did not want to go.

Gary and I are so blessed that Brent and Jessica are willing to share the children with us. We try to treat them just as their parents would. Mind your manners, be polite, share, talk nice, mind your grandparents, etc. Everything we did Anna Claire and Bennett would thank us. They were so gracious and polite. After every meal they would thank us for the meal. After Silver Dollar City or wherever we went they would thank us for taking them. They are so thankful for everything. They did not ask for one single thing. On the way to Branson several times Anna Claire would say "Now, Ma, you can't buy us anything." I wonder where she got that??? Guess what, I didn't! I knew their parents didn't want them to come home with a bunch of stuff that they have to find a place for. We all just enjoyed being together and having fun. Having fun...we did....

We are all planning our next trip. I don't know where it will be but I do believe that Grandparents Vacation will be a tradition in our family from now on. Maybe more grandchildren will be added in future years. Who knows? We may need to get a bigger RV but that's okay with me.

I'll never forget the family time and bonding that happened. I was worried about Anna Claire missing her mommy too much....I was worried that maybe Sutton was too little to be away that long.....I don't know why I worried so much! It was perfect. Bennett did miss his mommy a lot but then it was Bennett that wanted to day an extra day! I love my grandchildren to the moon and past the moon and back.