Biggest Blessing of All

This trip to Branson was more than just a family vacation! I was able to meet one of my most special friends!

From the Message, Proverbs 17:17a "Friends love through all kinds of weather."

When I first read this version of the famous Proverb, I think of weather being stormy times in a relationship. But as I think of Devin and me, I think about weather being an obstacle. Devin and I have some obstacles in our relationship...#1 - being DISTANCE! Other than that huge obstacle there really isn't anything keeping us from our friendship!

Devin and I "met" back in early January 2008. we both had stumbled (read God led) upon a blog of a mother whose child had died. I think I saw her comment on a post, clicked on her name, and read about her family. Devin's post that today was almost identical to mine and the connection was made. She had three boys at the time and we were just learning about our pregnancy with Cole. Our lives were mirrors of each other. We began to comment on each other's blog, email some, and over time the relationship grew! With all the great technology we talk often. Facebook, texting, even phone calls keep us current.

I am not sure how much you can truly "know" someone without meeting them, but I tell you this girl is one of my closest friends. I can't describe in words how much it meant to meet her, her hubby, and kids! I wasn't nervous about meeting because I just knew it would go great! We got along just as I knew we would...even the hubbies enjoyed themselves! Our kids were buddies instantly! It was an amazing opportunity that I can't wait to have again!

Dev - I love you girl! You are such a blessing to me, and I am so, so, grateful you gave up your family time on vacation to hang out with us!

Day #4 - Go Karts

On our last day in Branson, we met up again with Devin, Shane, and the crew! We had a great time, of course! Before we met them, we did a little shopping, no pictures because it wasn't always a pleasant experience :) Just imagine 4 boys, 3 of whom are running around stores, hiding under clothes racks!

We ate lunch then headed to see Tornado Alley at the IMAX theater...FABULOUS! Lots of the film was shot in OK, so that was pretty neat. We saw water towers from Jet, OK and Texhoma, OK! It made Cory and Carter a little motion sick, Cole slept through most of it, and Caden, Crosby, and I had a great time! Most of the Merritts enjoyed it too!

After the movie we headed back to the go-karts. We had some credits to use and boy did we use them! EVERYONE got to ride, or drive and it was a blast!

This little guys slept through the first 30-45 minutes :) He slept anywhere he could if he was tired! He was a TROOPER!Cole was having a blast in this ferris wheel cage!

The big boys were all able to drive on this kiddie track, but they only took 4 at a time...Colin had to wait to ride with Shane. So Carter, Cameron, Caden, and Ethan are having a go at it.

Caden LOVED this!

Carter was ALL BUSINESS!

Lola and Crosby just hung out checking out all the sights!

Devin was ever so kind to snap this photo of Cory and I!

Here is a crew of riders...

Cory and Cole, Shane and Colin, Kara and Carter

Colin and Caden moved over to the rookie track and had a great race!

Once their ride was over, they helped me watch the three little kids...well really they just goofed around! Caden on guitar, Colin on lead vocals!

After go-karts, we headed back to the condo for some relaxtion time in the pool.

This is my favorite shot of Dev!!! She was able to get in some snuggle time with Mr. Crosby!

Then after the pool, we did some cheesy groups shots! There was a waterfall area near our condo, and we begged a passerby to take this shot!

All 12 of us!

We had the most AMAZING trip! We were truly blessed in so many ways to get to go on this trip and meet up with WONDERFUL friends (more on that later!)

Branson - Day #2 Silver Dollar City with Friends

Wednesday afternoon we met up with the Merritt's again at Silver Dollar City. This gave us the great opportunity to survey the park with the experts! It was great and the kids so enjoyed playing together again! We hated to seperate again that night...the boys kept asking when we were going to hang out with them again!

The big kids all became fascinated with this dinosaur! They were telling it to bite them then it would ROAR and scare them...squeals galore!

Cole was upset he was stuck in the stroller and not running around with the big boys, until he realized Lola was there too, then he was MUCH better! He LOVES Lola!!!

Me with Devin and Lola outside the ball area.

Momma and Cole riding a carousel at Half Dollar Holler.

Branson - Day #3 Silver Dollar City

We spent almost a full day here...it was a good thing we split it up and came after 3! On Thursday I decided not to take the big camera and just use my phone, so some of these are a little blurry.

At the start of our day, by the old time fire truck, with our maps. Caden navigated us most of the day.

Checking out how the make log cabins...

Then we headed around to the old time school house. Each child wrote their name on the slate boards.

Crosby did SO GREAT all day! He just watched everyone and slept when he got tired!

Cory rode Powderkeg and the boys loved watching him take off!

Caden made a wax hand. This was the start of it. They dipped it several times in wax, then ice water, then he colored it. It was black and orange!

We got a lesson on broom making...

The boys were intrigued...

pretty fascinating, really!

Then we headed to the Grand Exposition area for some good old fashion rides!

Waiting in line for the roller coaster.

Momma and Cole on the flying elephants.

Carter on his flying elephant.

Caden was a couple of cars ahead of us.

Then Daddy got to go on the pirate boat swing.

By this point, Crosby was tired, so he napped while we played a little longer.

On our way out, we dipped a few candles.

Then we watched them blow glass. I think Cory got a few of those photos on his phone, so I will blog those later! It was a fun filled day and we can't wait to go back!

Branson - Day #2 - Ride the Ducks

Morning of Day 2 started off EARLY!!! We were all up and ready to go in time for the first duck ride of the day! We did several things on this day, so I will break up the posts as best I can!

Here are two of my cuties! Caden was being really helpful, getting Crosby ready to go!

Once we got our tickets there wasn't much time to look around at anything, we just got our quackers and got on board!

Momma, Caden, and Crosby ready to ride.

Daddy, Carter, and Cole ready to ride.

About 10 minutes into the ride, this is what Crosby did, he took about an 45 minute snooze! Such a trooper!Caden took a turn driving the duck!

Carter's turn...

Cole sort of had a turn :)

Table Rock Dam

Hanging with "New" Friends

We were able to meet some very special people in Branson on Tuesday afternoon! I can't remember how far back I made up this idea, but I can't believe it finally happened. Devin and I met through our blogs, again I can't remember how far back, but it has been at least 3 years or more! Over the years, we have read about each other's lives, then started emailing, exchanging cards, texting, calling, and now facebooking! We have tons in common especially our kids! So it just clicked!

We truly feel like the best of friends...only one catch, we have never SEEN each other face to face!!! The hubbies didn't want to meet up in just a random tourist place, so Cory had the BRILLIANT idea to have them come to our condo, swim a little, and cook dinner. You know sort of like we would do with friends in our home (you know minus the pool!)

It worked out perfectly! The kids were fast friends, the hubbies got along, and of course Devin and I were great!!! We swam for a bit, let the kids watch a movie and relax, chatted, cooked dinner, cleaned up, and just had a good ol' time!

We didn't get a pic of us before we hit the pool, so again you will have to wait. But here are some cute ones of the kids...

Back row: Carter, Caden, Cameron, and Cole. Front row: Crosby, Lola, Colin, and Ethan.

Carter, Cole, Cameron, Colin, Caden, and Ethan watching a movie.

Branson - Day #1 Dino Museum

Day 1 started off bright and early, considering we had a late evening the day before. We got in REALLY late from our drive and I was hoping the kids would sleep in a bit, but Crosby was up by 6:45 which is kind of late for him, and the others followed shortly after. But this worked a tad in our favor. We fed them poptarts at the condo then headed to Cracker Barrel for us! YUMMO!

Starting our morning off with a before picture. On the porch in front of the condo!After breakfast, this was our first stop! Carter said as we walked up to the door, "I bet I am going to love this place!" These dinos were HUGE. Someone used real fossils to scuplt and paint LIFE SIZE versions of the creatures. My boys loved it!

Crosby was being so good! He really seemed to enjoy staring at the dinosaurs and watching the boys run around.Cory being goofy with the Triceratops.

Mr. Tyrannosaurus Rex

After we looked at all the dinos, there was a cool fossil dig, fun gift shop, and a dino bounce house. Crosby and I enjoyed watching the boys jump.

This was only the morning of Day 1, more pics to come :)