Last week at Branson and Home

The last week of our trip was fun. We enjoyed time with family and time just doing what we all wanted to do on our own. Jakob struggled the last week. His fever lasted around 4 days and his mood didn't perk up until we got home 2 days ago. So that definitely helped us look forward to coming home. But if he felt better it would have been a lot harder to come home. We loved it there. We love it here too. But it was a refreshing change.

We spent a few nights together eating dinner and playing cards or Acquire (which Leif was lucky enough to beat uncle Bruce at once). On Sunday everyone (except for us because Jakob was sick) went to church. They said that it was wonderful. We got together for dinner at Bruce and Chris' condo. We had family home evening (Joseph Karin's son did a short and sweet lesson about repentance.) We then watched a video about David and Goliath. During the prayer that night I really felt grandma's spirit close.

We also had breakfast together one morning and had a mini show from several of the Branson performers. It was long but entertaining. The fun part of the week was the weather and the Kid's Fest at Silver Dollar City. They had three really neat shows that were included in the price of our pass. It rained cats and dogs on Monday so we all decided to take on the rain and go to the shows. The first was a magic show that was amazing! It was a Real magic show where the magician cuts people in half and makes them disappear. CRAZY! (Jakob really enjoyed it because his Papa is always doing little magic tricks with him, but these were really big tricks) The next show was an ice skating circus show. It turned out really neat. We got front row seats because my dad is handicapped. The performers were dressed as different animals and were clearly professional skaters. Most of them were from Russia. I love ice skating. After each show, wherever we went to, Leif always took Jakob up to shake the performers hands. I thought that was really thoughtful and neat for Jakob.

The last full day we had in Branson was Tuesday and it was a Gorgeous day! Not too hot or cold, blue skies and sunshine. Leif took Jakob and went with everyone else and watched a Veggie Tales show. They then hung out together and went on the adult rides while Chris and those who didn't ride the rides played with the kids. My mom and I took Caleb and spent the afternoon shopping in all of the little shops and eating yummy food. I got a Wagon Train Rag Doll for my mother in law and myself and I got Leif another Irish Bowler Hat for Father's Day. My mom got Heather a Wentz Family sign to hang out on their new home. We had a great time!

The last three days were spent traveling. We drove from Branson to Kansas City and slept in a hotel. We were actually quite blessed. The night we spent at the hotel by the airport, there were strong thunderstorms. We also heard it was supposed to storm the day we flew out. We woke up in the morning and the storm had blown away and there was a just clouds. We flew out on time with no problems, and the storm his Kansas City shortly after we left. It was the BIG storm that flooded everything there. We caught a plain the next day and flew to Salt Lake City and spent the night at my parents house. The next morning (Friday) we spent with Heather and had a picnic lunch at the park. We were going to stay another night, but we decided that we were all ready to get home. So we drove home. Lucky we did or we would have missed the Father's Day BBQ with Leif's family yesterday. On the way home Jakob asked "So what hotel are we going to now?":) We laughed and told him we were on our way to our yellow barn. He was happy.

So, today is Sunday June 15, 2008 and I look back already and the trip seems like a dream. Thank Heaven's for pictures and this blog.

We won't forget this trip though. It was more then we could have ever hoped for. It was our first big family vacation and I'm not sure if we'll have another that compares for a long time! It was so neat to be able to spent such quality time with my parents. It was a joy for me to see the relationships between them and my little family strengthen.

We fell in love with Missouri and that whole part of the state while we were there. It rekindled our desire to move out there and buy a house. My uncle will sell us one of his as soon as we're ready. Hopefully next year at this time.