Big Cedar Lodge

Adam had a work meeting at Big Cedar Lodge over a weekend so the kids and I tagged along.  My thought was…we can hang out at home without Adam or we can hang out in a cabin and get to see Adam!  So we packed our bags and met him in Springfield since he was already in Oklahoma working that week.  

 I picked the kids up from school and had to feed Piper before we left.  I told the kids to pack their backpacks with toys they wanted to bring.  Laney filled 3 giant bags with toys.  You can imagine the fit she threw when I dumped them all out and told her she could only fill her backpack.

 Before we made it to Big Cedar, we stopped to eat at Branson Landing.  The boys found a Cardinals shop, I did not encourage this purchase.

 Cooper photobombing our selfie.

We got to our cabin around bedtime.  Thanks to another friend's recommendation, I had warned the kids about the dead animals that would be around the room.  It didn't help much, they were scared going to sleep that night even though Adam and I were 10 feet away.  This fox was just one of many.

 She had barely opened her eyes and was ready to create!

 These 2 were more content to lay in bed with me for a bit.

This is how I contained Piper and Laney usually joined her.

 Adam was working all day Friday and had dinner plans that night as well, so it was the kids and I.  Big Cedar is a big place so they have a free shuttle service.  You just call and they come pick you up and drop you off door side.  The kids LOVED it.

 We spent the morning at the indoor pool and 

 playing at the playground.  

 After lunch we came back for naps.  This girl didn't nap but her brother and sister sure did.

 Adam came home between meetings and dinner and Cooper wanted to go on a nature walk so I took him on one.  The highlight was fighting squirrels.

 It was me and these 3 crazies at dinner and they were c-r-a-z-y.  Thankfully we were the only people in the deli and they made the most amazing chocolate shakes :).

 Next up, s'mores!

 A sweet lady offered to take our picture.

 After s'mores we went to the playground and Cooper discovered putt putt golf.  They had a practice green so he putted and putted.

 Adam made a fire each night before bed and we cranked the a/c down :).  The kids loved the fire.

They slept on the pull out couch together and did really well.  I didn't take a picture but Piper was in a pack'n'play in the corner.  We had a one room cabin so there was no quiet place to put her but she did awesome.  

 The next morning we were going to drive to breakfast but the kids really wanted to ride the shuttle.  We carried Piper on and off the shuttle in her stroller…that was not easy when Adam wasn't along.

 Oh this girl of mine!  Look at that background!  The place is unbelievably beautiful.

 The boys played some putt putt while I watched Laney on the playground.

We decided to rent a boat for the afternoon.  The weather was gorgeous and it was the last official week of summer, Adam didn't have to twist my arm.  Pippi was on her first boat ride and was not digging the lifejacket.

 She was out within minutes and her big brother never took his hand off of her.  Look at her thighs!

 She snoozed too.

 Table Rock Lake is so pretty!  

 We drove around for a while so the girls would stay asleep and then we stopped for Laney to dance :).

Adam was in heaven and nothing could wipe that smile off his face.

 The boys were the only ones brave enough to swim in the cool water.  I know…Cooper in cold water??  He really wanted to swim with Adam.  The water is so clear!

Hello Happiness!

 Family selfie - minus a sassy middle child.  Piper had a wardrobe malfunction.  We had so much fun for a few hours on the boat.

 Saturday night we went to the Top of the Rock.  This was our view at dinner.  You can see more about it here.  I am not sure how to explain it…it's late and the Royals are in the 11th inning!

 If Adam was here I would have him write about this driving range and golf course but he is out of town so this picture will have to do.

An employee stopped us and offered to take our picture.  This place has the most incredible views and somehow we ended up next this sculpture that Piper was intrigued by.  

We headed back home on Sunday morning - a fun little getaway, love taking advantage of Adam's work trips!