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!

Monday morning sibling love

I hosted a sample sale and trunk show at my home last weekend.  As I do a couple times a year,  I am selling lots of great samples!!  You can see them all in this link here, https://www.smore.com/9u9zy .


This is actually from last Monday and I can't even remember what prompted all the cuddling but it was so sweet…I do remember that ;).   And the fact that they had time to cuddle and I had time to take pictures before rushing out the door to school is always nice!

 Only Coop has school on Mondays…that's the reason he is the only one out of pjs :)

Piper may not have been enjoying this cuddle session as much as her older siblings.

Roller skating and a beautiful weekend!

A couple weekends back we had nothing on our calendar for the weekend.  Nothing!  No traveling, no visitors, no birthday parties, nada.  As much as we love all the fun and being on the run, I couldn't wait for no plans!  The kids are invited to a skating party (it's tomorrow actually!) and knowing my son I thought it would be a good idea to try out skating ourselves before the party.  And I am glad we did!

 They have these great little walkers to help the kids skate, genius!!  Laney wasn't real sure at first but she was totally willing to go out and try with Dad!

 One time around and she was rockin' it!

 And then we drug him out there kicking and screaming…literally.  We weren't giving in to the tears, always reiterating to him that we have to do hard things in life and things we are scared of.  If you don't try it, you may be missing out on something you love!  Adam was so patient with him even though he was not cooperating in the least bit.

Coop went around once then came back and sat with me, took his skates off and said he wasn't skating again.  I basically said ok, ignored him and cheered Laney on like crazy.  Well, after hearing that praise and watching his sister having so much fun, he wanted his skates back on to try again.  

 And the next time around he was skating with no hands, so proud of himself.  So of course we said, "see, we can do hard things!"  

 This sweet baby and I cheered on the kids from the sidelines.   

 He was so proud of himself and we were so proud of him!!  He was skating along, doing his own thing and then boom…his feet slipped out from under him and he fell and bonked his head…

Ouch!  Hello goose egg!  Believe it or not, he got back up and skated the rest of the rink.  The kids both left happy and can't wait to go back again!

 We went to Potbelly (or Hotbelly as Laney calls it) for lunch.  Then Adam needed to go by Verizon store to get new phone stuff set up.  I sat in the car with these crazies for waaay too long while we waited.

 The weather was so nice!  We took Lola on a walk.

 The kids rode their bikes that are too small for them.  Cooper's bike helmet is too small so he wears his tee ball helmet.

 No nap meant Laney was asleep on the ottoman lid early evening.  Piper was in mid-attack.

 After dinner we took the golf cart to visit the other Jones'.  This was my view on the way home…again, no denying he his my kid. :)

 Saturday afternoon we headed to the Stauffers for Sunday Funday!

 Sisters!

 Oh how I hope they want to wear big bows in their hair for years to come!

 This girl!  We get home and the heels come on.  Lately she is always carrying my newest Stella & Dot wallet.  

A fun weekend at home!