Branson!!

We left homp Friday morning for Branson! It took about 8 hours to get here. The kids were unbelievably good. We only stopped twice...once for lunch and once for a potty break! The drive wasn't bad at all, except for the last few miles which are on some very hilly, very curvy roads.

The Big Cedar Lodge is awesome. Our balcony overlooks Table Rock Lake and is beautiful! tWe've decorated our condo with our little 4 ft. tree and put lights and Christmas balls on the deer heads that are mounted on the walls! Thomas loves it here!

Today Scott, Dad, Thomas and Grace and I went to Silver Dollar City while Mom, Jane and Judy watched Mandy and went shopping. We had a great time at Silver Dollar City. It wasn't crowded at all, we walked right on to most of the rides. The last one we rode was the "Powder Keg" and it scared Grace to death. She was white as a sheet when we stopped.

Thomas and Grace's Top 5 for the trip so far!!

1. Silver Dollar City--It was really nice. Very clean and family oriented.

2. The fish bench!--Our condo has a kitchen table with 3 chairs on one side and a bench on the other and the back of the bench is a huge bass! They think it's the coolest thing ever!

3. Going swimming--They have a really nice indoor pool here at the lodge. Scott took them all swimming tonight after we got back.

4. The "Powder Keg" rollercoaster--Thomas said this one. This was the one that scared Grace so bad. It was super fast and had some terrifing drops.

5. "Driving through all the states"--I guess they got used to this on our trip this summer, but they really like knowing what all states we are passing through.

As many of you know, my Grandmother, my dad's mom, has been very ill for quite sometime. On Friday as we were driving up here, she passed away. Mom, Dad and I will be driving home Tuesday for the visitation Tuesday evening. The funeral will be Tuesday morning and after that we will return to Branson. Scott, Jane, Judy and the kids will be staying here in Branson. She was 86 and had been in failing health for the last couple of years, although we are sad at her passing, we know she is in a better, more peaceful place.

Blessings,

Leslie

Tom Turkey!

Thomas, Scott and Dad went on the 3rd Annual Deer Lease Trip this weekend. The smallest of the mighty hunters was the one who actually shot a turkey. His first one ever. He shot it with the .22 rifle we all got him for his birthday. Dad said he got it dead center from about 35-40 yards away. He's so excited and proud he can hardly stand it! He thinks we should save the turkey to eat on Christmas.

Searching for the bullet hole!

Six Flags Holiday in the Park!

Last night Nick and I went to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags. We had a blast. I hadn't been

to holiday in the park since I was in junior high! I got to ride all the really big roller coasters that we can't ride when we have the kids with us. The only one I don't recommend is the Superman ride...massive hydralics system that shoots you up about 17 stories in 6 seconds and drops you just as fast! I will never ride that again. I really didn't want to ride it this time, but Nick a.k.a. Superman couldn't leave without riding it. Anyway, we had a complete blast and have decided to make it a Christmas tradition!

Capitol Christmas Party!

This past weekend we went to Austin to attend the House of Representatives Christmas Tree lighting for legislative families. We had a BLAST!! The kids looked adorable in their fancy clothes and acted like they were grown! Thomas wore his first suit and looked so handsome. He loves visiting the capitol (wonder where he gets that??). He looks like a little Junior State Representative!!

Dad had been a freshman orientation the week prior. He had drawn for his place in the freshman class and they had chosen desks and offices. Here is dad in his new desk on the floor of the House chamber!
The program was about an hour long and featured different choirs and speakers. Grace was very good, but all that sitting still made her a little sleepy!
Mandy slept through most of the program and only woke up toward the end. When she got restless I let her watch "Dora" on my iPod! After the Christmas party, Sue and Allan came and picked up the kids and we went across the street to the Governor's Mansion!!!

All in all...a VERY cool day!

Blessings,

Leslie

Thanksgiving

We packed up everything for a complete Thanksgiving dinner and headed to Austin to spend Thanksgiving with Scott's mom and dad. Since we probably won't see them again before Hanukkah, we decided to do that during Thanksgiving as well! The kids had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa and playing with their new Hanukkah toys.

Blessings,

Leslie

Alazan

We spent the weekend at Lake Alazan with the Sonnen's and the Zwerneman's. We had a wonderful time fishing, shooting, and making s'mores!

New Furniture!

We gave Nick the furniture that was in our upstairs game room. So, Scott and I went yesterday to look for a new couch and loveseat. We found some that we loved and they loaded it into dad's truck. Luckily, Nick was home to help Scott get it in and upstairs. The pictures of this do NOT do it justice!!! I was laughing so hard I was crying!!

Scott helped him get it in the door and then set his end down and then was talking thru how they could turn it, who would walk backwards up the stairs...etc. Nick finally just picked up the loveseat, put it over his head and carried it up the stairs!!!!
This picture is of Scott hurrying along after him hold the plastic that was covering the loveseat!!!

Ft. Polk

Mandy and I went to Ft. Polk with Nick to drop off his furniture and stuff in his new apartment. Mandy was awesome in the car...... We just made sure to keep her in COKE!! It's a long, extremely boring drive, but we had a good time anyway. I like seeing the army bases and meeting the guys Nick works with.
He showed me all around the base, the MP station, the commissary, the PX...base housing. It's such a different way of life than what I have ever experienced.
Mandy had a great time running down the hall in the barracks after being cooped up in the car all day.The barracks were actually much nicer than what I had expected. The rooms are small with linoleum floors and lots of cabinets. They have a microwave and a fridge. They share a bathroom with the room next door.
Yes, this is me wearing a flack vest. You have no idea how heavy this thing is. It also fits pretty tight and makes it hard to breathe. As I was complaining Nick pointed out that I didn't even have any artillery in the pockets. This is yet one of the many reasons I would never have made it in the army!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!! The kids have had a fantastic time trick or treating. Thomas was Elvis this year, Grace a ballerina and Mandy a witch. Sean, Luke and Ben came over and went trick or treating with them. They all came back with enough candy to open a store!