Vacation!

We just returned from a super fun family vacay to Branson, MO!  My parents rented a really nice, BIG condo and invited us to come along.  I wasn't sure what to expect, with two small children, but the trip ended up being so fun!  I really had no expectations going in, which helped, but the girls were honestly perfect (which is totally NOT the norm for them! :)  I think part of it was having Grammy and Babu around 24/7.  Claire was l-o-v-i-n it!

The first day was rainy and cold but we took a little trip out to a fish hatchery to see some... fish.  :)  I'm not so much into fish but Claire thought it was fun.  Score!

A scary snapping turtle!

She was a little unsure about these big fish, so she insisted that Babu hold her.

Braving the cold and wet!

Checking out some river flooding that is going on there.

Babu introduced Claire to Peeps... she's sold!

The next day was sunny and beautiful, in the high 60's!  We headed to Silver Dollar City for some amusement park fun.  I had no idea what Claire would think of everything and honestly thought she might be a little apprehensive but I think she got her Daddy's dare devil side.... she loved it!

First ride of the day! 

Emma just hanging with Grammy.

All by herself!

Claire loved the mariachi band!  She got out of her stroller and started her own little dance party.

Some other little girls eventually joined in.

This girl loves being with her Babu.

Emma was perfect all day... hardly cried, napped in her stroller, and loved taking in all of the sights.

After our fun an full day, we can home and Justin and I got ready for date night!  HUGE plus to going on vacation with the grandparents! :)

Before our date!

 We went to a fabulous Mexican restaurant and had THE best guacamole, made fresh for us at our table.  Mmmm!!  Then we walked around a cute pedestrian mall area and ended up at a dualing piano bar, where I sipped on a chocolate martini, (Justin got a beer), listened to the music, and savored some time as a couple.  PERFECT. 

The next day didn't go quite as well...  Emma ended up getting a stomach bug somewhere and spent the morning throwing up.  (Claire and I both ended up getting it a couple days later too.)  So, mama stayed home with Emma while the rest of the crew went back to Silver Dollar City for more fun.  We had a buy one day, get one free pass, so it worked out great. 

By early afternoon, Emma seemed better so we met up for dinner with some friends who live near Branson.  Dave and Hannah were some of our very best friends when we all lived in Chattanooga.  They have since moved to Missouri and we hadn't seen each other in 3 years. 

We laughed when we realized we needed a table for TEN!  Hard to believe that when we met, neither of us had any kids!

Our HUGE group!

Catching up!

The girls playing ring around the rosy!

After being together just a few minutes, it felt like no time had passed since we last saw each other.  I love friends like that... you just pick up right where you left off.  We miss them so much but were sooo glad we had time to catch up!!

It was a great trip!  We're thankful Grammy and Babu let us tag along!