Thursday, May 17, 2012

Branson Cabin 2012

It's that time of year again -- BRANSON cabin trip with friends -- Yeah
It was a wonderful WONDERFUL weekend.  Every year our group gets larger (up to 6 kiddos and one on the way) and even wilder and crazier - but in such a great way!  After some late Friday night chit-chat we got up early Saturday morning for a delicious home cooked breakfast before we headed off to Silver Dollar City.
Don't you just love . . . when you finally get your group still and posed and have convinced a stranger to take a picture . . . the results end up like this ??   :(  Boo
 Our 1st destination - the frogs
Payton & Parker joined in for the first ride but decided that it would also be their last
 Kellen was just as excited about riding the rides as Hunter-man was.
 Baby Landon was as happy as ever being strolled around watching all the commotion.
Next it was time to fly in the Caterpillar
 It took a couple turns but he finally got the hang of the controls
 And then it was too much fun to ever get out
 Until we told them they could ride the Lady Bugs
 While the little wild boys were living it up on the rides, the pretty little girls were enjoying soaking up some sun.
 We completed a major milestone in this family -- Hunter rode his very first coaster -- and loved it
The Daddies had fun too
 We had fun on the Choo Choo Train
  . . .  the Carousel
. . . In Half Dollar Hollar
 . . . and their favorite, THE SWINGS
We had an amazing day full of fun and laughter
-except for one instance-
When my little boy dropped out of my sight and in an instance was gone, aka lost, in a sea of children swarming a ginormous play house - Geyser Gulch.  
It happened so quickly! A family of about 5 had walked between the two of us, blocking my sight. After they passed, the spot in which Hunter had been playing was of course empty.  My eyes searched the crowd, while immediately and frantically praying.  I ran up & around a couple levels only to realize he could be anywhere in this ginormous playhouse or have even left through the many exits.  
I grabbed the closest attendant and (while holding back tears & fighting the lump in my throat) managed to give her a clear description of my now, tiny lost baby.  She did her best to make it seem like it was no big deal, that it happens all the time, and he'd be located quickly . . . for me just to stay calm & wait right there . . . about that time Andrew found me (he'd been off riding Powder Keg) and I immediately instructed him to search for Hunter because, yes I THE MOTHER, had lost our little man.  It felt like an eternity, but was probably no more than a few minutes when Andrew shouted down to me that they'd found him . . . on the 4th story shooting balls out of the cannon. (he's always loved that)
I just couldn't believe he'd slipped away so fast, and so FAR.  But praise Jesus they found him quickly, and safe. I didn't know whether to hug him or spank him . . . but since it scared him to be handled by strangers (workers with walkie-talkies keep pretty good eyes on the place) I just grabbed him up and kissed and squeezed him . . . followed with a lecture on "never leaving Mommy's side - EVER."

How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7

So after that emotional roller coaster, it was time to head back in!
We hit up a local BBQ favorite, that was perfect for our wild and crazy crowd and then it was back to the cabin for some much needed rest and relaxation.
Sunday, the daddies left out early for a morning round of golf while the mommies stayed back to cook breakfast and referee 6 kids 2 and under.  :)  We never sat down but as always, had lots of fun.  I love that our kids enjoy each other as much as us adults do . . . and what a neat tradition this has been.  3 years and counting . . .
 They grow up so fast!!
After the boys came back and we enjoyed another yummy lunch,  it was time for a speedy cabin clean up, ice cream sandwiches for all and our annual group photo!!  It's so fun to look back and see how we keep growing, changing, and expanding.  :)


We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't yet have - for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently. 
Romans 8:24-25

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