We flew the coup for Thanksgiving this year. We decided to take a break from the kitchen and spend the time together at our favorite place, the cabins at Big Cedar Lodge.
The trip started out with mockery. Sweet Tom.
Shortly after we arrived in Branson, we went to see a dog ventriloquist show that we thought the kids would get a kick out of. When we ordered tickets, we were told it would come with a deli sandwich box lunch. Well…their translation of a deli sandwich was a hot dog, chips, and what they referred to as, “strawberry soup” (basically Jell-O that was never refrigerated). Nasty.
We stood in line for popcorn…and the lady helping us told us that the guy who made the popcorn was suffering a diabetic episode when he made it. Yes, welcome to Branson.
The show was painful. This performer used to be on the Branson Belle and was actually really funny. Not no mo. The dolls also freaked me out.
He has been on Letterman and everything…but the act has gone South. The kids liked it…so I guess that’s all that matters.
Warning: (Adult Content)
I am ashamed to admit that I was distracted the entire show by….well…the “contents” of the performer’s jeans. I’m not trying to be dirty…but you MUST believe me when I tell you it looked like the guy had put a Hillshire Farms Summer Sausage in his pants. It was DISGUSTING! His jeans were tight and white, which brought more attention to it.
I kept whispering to Tom….”Look at that! Is that REAL? That is so sick!” ------------- We sat laughing and pondering the “issue” and decided that the guy was so bored with performing show after show….same dogs…same jokes….same everything….that he puts in some sort of prosthetic and humors himself by watching the audience’s reaction. It was THAT unbelievable. It was literally half way down his thigh.
I apologize for the crassness of this….but it has to go down in the books.
We checked into our cabin.
Later that night we went to The Dixie Stampede for their Christmas show. The hot dog was starting to churn in my stomach, by that time. I pushed through the nausea and made it through the show. We snapped a few pics before we were told they weren’t allowed.
The show was magical…minus a few technical difficulties…like a flying jester being stuck in the air. A boom lift had to come and get him down.
I was dizzy all the way through the parking lot. By the time we reached the interstate, I had offered the prophetic words…”There. Will. Be Vomit.”
Tom dropped me off at our cabin before he drove his mother to her lodge. I then experienced a “stampede” of my own. I was sick. All night.
It was dehumanizing, throwing up in the cabin. Due to the high beamed ceilings….acoustically, it was like vomiting into a microphone. Luckily we already tied the knot. Had it been a first date, it would have likely been our last.
That night, an elf came to our cabin to deliver stockings, read a story, collect letters to Santa, and tuck the kids in for bed. Each of them was given a beautiful stocking, with a stuffed raccoon, and treats. They were more excited by the fact an elf was in their bedroom.
The next morning, I was feeling much better, but opted to skip out on the train ride. My body needed the rest and there was no way I could have peeled myself out of that big, soft, comfy bed….sick or not.
Here are some pics of their adventure.
That afternoon, the kids went to Little Cedar Kids Club. It’s an adventure club that kids can go to if the parents want some alone time. They had a blast! There were 5 kids total in their group. They had a camping party. They made S’mores…fed the horses…made crafts…and played games with their leader, Shelby.
While they were gone, Tom and I went to the Spa and got facials. I love that my hunk-o-man still appreciates things like that. It was glorious.
We picked the kids up from Kids Club and went to the lawn area to welcome Tom the Turkey, in preparation for Thanksgiving the next day.
Bryce wanted nothing to do with the bird. Nothing.
They were star struck when they saw Shelby again. They wanted their picture with HER more than the turkey. I love how bashful the boys looked with her.
They started a camp fire, had a musician playing their guitar and singing, and started preparing food for everyone. We had our hearts set on visiting our favorite diner for dinner….so we took off as soon as the kids were given their toy turkeys. Had we known they “gobble” we probably would have left earlier. We endure hours of gobbling on this trip.
The diner was great. It was nice to have food be appetizing again. I was tuckered out after dinner and Bryce and I hit the hay, early. Everyone else enjoyed a wagon ride through the grounds of Big Cedar and enjoyed all of the Christmas lights.
Thanksgiving morning was a dream come true. We stayed nestled in our cabin and watched the Macy’s Parade. We ordered room service for breakfast and just lounged.
Later that morning, we all went to visit the bickie tree. It’s our family’s tradition to go and wipe it each year for good luck. We even talked Grandma into it….which was a TRUE Christmas miracle.
We then took the kids to ride their beloved horses.
My favorite thing about visiting the stables, besides the horses, is the view.
As Bryce rode the trails through the woods, we could hear him, jabbering, the entire time. He had a lot to say.
Bradley was next.
And then Karah.
We stopped by a walking trail on the way back to the cabin. It should have been named the “Wilderness Walk, Run, Jump, and Climb”…or perhaps, the ADHD trail. Holy Cow.
Love those cushy lips.
The highlight of Thanksgiving Day…was going back to the cabin, making a fire, and having Big Cedar staff come and set up Thanksgiving Dinner (lunch) for us while we relaxed.
The feast was incredible and the pumpkin pie was the best one I had ever tasted. The bonus was…all we had to do was pick up the phone and tell them when we were ready for them to come clean up the mess! Can you believe this??? Dreams DO come true.
We took off after lunch and headed for Dogwood Canyon Park…which is a slice of HEAVEN!
Grandma took Bryce on a nature walk while Tom and I took Karah and Boo on an ATV ride through the park. It was incredible! I was hoarse by the end from all of my screaming.
Our favorite part was crossing the endless riverbeds.
Me and Karah…
Tom and Boo…
It was such a memorable afternoon. It was such a blessing to be able to be with the kids, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, on such a special day.Plus we got to wear helmets. That makes anything more cool.
After a much needed nap, we topped the night off with one more Thanksgiving dinner at The Worman House. Yes, we thought that was necessary.
We waited at our cabin for the shuttle. The driver said there was no way he could have missed our thumbs.
As we were pulling out – he backed into a tree…and didn’t even flinch.
Our driver picked us up after dinner and hadn’t even remembered meeting us an hour earlier. We blamed it on the tree incident.
Tom and I tucked everyone in and left Grandma to hold down the fort while we went Black Friday shopping at the Outlet Malls. It was Tom’s first time and he was in shock at what people will do to save a buck. We had fun people watching and shopping in the reject stores that nobody was lining up for….like Stride Rite.
We then scoured the town for a midnight snack…ultimately resorting to a convenience store. Nothing says grateful like a Twix and a soda.
After breakfast the next morning we made the short trip back home. It was sad to see such a great week end…but the excitement of Christmas right around the corner replaced any sadness with celebration.
I'm so happy for all of you. What a magical get-a-way for all of you. Your photos were incredible - I felt as if I were right there with you sharing in your joy. All of your smiles put an exclamation point at the end of each sentence! I can tell Susan loved every second. What precious memories you are making!
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