What I did on my Summer Vacation...

So over the long Memorial Weekend Brent, the kids and I went down to Lebanon, MO (close to Branson) and visited with Dad and Phyllis. Dad went with us to Steel Your Dollar City, aka... Silver Dollar City. Phyllis stayed home, bummer, because her allergies were going crazy. There was no way she could be outside all day. We sure love her and missed having her along. But you can see we had a great time.















Here is a picture of Brent's pet squirrel... crazy little thing thought it needed to dig up all the flowers.

We took Zach's friend, Taylor, with us and she fit right in. Didn't mind all the family harassment that is dished out either. She is such a sweet girl. We just love her.

The next day it rained to beat the band in the morning, but by noon the sun was out and it was beautiful. We took the kids to the Nation's longest foot bridge. Ya, we thought we were pretty much torturing them. But no, it was actually really neat and the kids loved it. The bridge was built in 1902 and spanned 13 railroad tracks. We followed the bridge up with a scenic tour of the finer side of Springfield, MO... or maybe the slums... Brent can get us in some pretty scary places sometimes, then on to the Bass Pro Shop. We had a great day over all. Hey, I got some new shoes... yeah, yeah!

The last day there Brent and I and the three kids went on a 9 mile canoe trip. It was great fun for everyone, except for mom (me) during the hour and a half where dad thought it would be fine if the kids took one leg and we went another. Needless to say, I didn't think that part was too neat... I think it's the mom thing. The kids were fine, all three had been on a canoe trip before. But I watched I can't tell you how many boats of adults tip over and lose everything in their canoes. Now I don't know why this would make me nervous, but for some reason it did. Brent was sure the kids had taken the more difficult route, not so much... theirs was the much easier leg... so they were way ahead of us. We however, had to cross trees criss crossing our section of the river, then carry our canoe... technically, Brent and another guy carried ours and his... across a large sand bar, because the other side kept tipping canoes over... We waited at the sand bar FOREVER for the kids... you know they were behind us.... not so much.... any who... an hour and a half later all was well when we spotted the kids waiting for us on another little beach area.... picnic lunched then finished up the trip with everyone in sight. It really was a great day.... more pics later... BIG THANK YOU!!!! to dad and momma Phyllis for putting us up and playing cards and games and having an overall great time with them! WE LOVE YOU!!