This Christmas was spent with the Stephens family in Branson MO. Kyle has family there, and so the Friday I was done with work, we rushed to the airport and were off! Dad was nice enough to take us to the airport - even in the snow. The roads were really slow, but luckily everything was delayed. We were almost to our exit to go to the airport when a car pulled up next to us and said we had a flat tire! 45 mins later, AAA came and fixed the tire. Dad and Deven could have done it, but AAA said they would only be 20 mins - but of course they were late.
Well, we finally got to Vegas, got about 4 hours of sleep - and then the next morning flew to MO. That country is very pretty! We drove from Springfield to Branson (about 2 hours) so we got to see the highways and a few small towns.
We stayed in the Marriott right downtown. Great rooms!
Branson is a really small city, and felt a bit smaller because everything was closed for the holiday - opps! But regardless, we found some fun things to do.
-We went on a tour of Branson and met a world famous piano/cake maker named Dino.
-We went to Silver Dollar city, which looks like it would be AMAZING in the summer! It is a little "relaxed country" Disneyland. Big rides, lots of shows, and tons of little shops. We were able to go on 2 rides, that were open, and see the Christmas Carol, and a Live Nativity show. We also watched the lighting of the Christmas tree, and watched some ornaments of glass be blown. My favorite thing was going down this huge cave they have there. It is like 10 stories underground where they used to mine bat droppings. Our guide (Steveo) was really funny!
-Christmas Eve we went to a country cowboy dinner. They fed us dinner and put on a show. I really enjoyed this! Diana also prepared a really cute scavenger hunt - were we were able to look for some items that represented the real meaning of Christmas. We went to the 5 and dime for this, wow....that is all I can say.
-Christmas day we opened up presents, had the Stephens' traditional pull-aparts, and went to a movie. It was a great relaxing day.
-The day after Christmas we were able to drive out to Kyle's uncle and cousins property. They were so gratuitous, and are such amazing people. They showed us around there property, and prepared a hot-dog roast in the woods behind their house. They have an amazing view of AK from this little ledge overlooking a ranch. It was really fun to met and visit with them. They live a slower life, and enjoy their land and are sincerely interested in what you are doing. Great people - I am honored to be related to them.
-When we got back to Vegas we were able to see some friends. Deven has some of the most amazing friends from high school - and lucky for me they all married great girls! We have alot of fun together. Saturday night we went to the Nelson's house and visited with a group, then went to Jake's parents house and had pizza and a mean game of rock band. Sunday we were able to see (and Deven participate) in Derek and Lindsey's #2 son's blessing. After Danny and Steph came and chatted it up and the house. Sunday night we went to Charlie and Joshes. Josh is almost done with the police academy, and it was so fun to catch up with them. They possibly have the 2 cutest girls I have ever seen! Monday we went to lunch with Aaron and Katlyn which was great. They showed us their cute new house, and we sat at the restaurant probably way to long! (: (when you get us talking!)
Over all it was a great trip. It was great to catch up with some people that we love, and get away. I was REALLY ready to come home, but it was a fun holiday. Deven is now sick - but he did get a day of snowboarding in before he crashed.
Back to the daily grind!
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