The next day we left for Branson and the roads were horrible for the first hour and a half or so. The highways were iced over and we had to drive really slow. We saw 12 cars in ditches, one was a semi truck and one was a snow plow. We kept on going and slowly the roads started to get better. By the time we hit St Louis, the roads were a whole lot better, and as we got closer to Branson there wasn't even any snow on the ground!
The condo we stayed at was really nice and was in a really pretty area. It was very hilly where we were and Edison thought it was really fun driving around. We enjoyed the indoor pool and hot tub the first night, and Edison had fun playing pool with Dad.
The next day we decided to drive out to Arkansas for some geocaching so Brian could add another state to his list. Brian's caching friend, Brent, was in town as well so we invited him along with us. We got a few caches and then went out to lunch. Later on that day we visited the Titanic Museum, which Edison enjoyed a lot! We couldn't take pictures in side the museum, but Edison had fun looking at all the different exhibits, "steering" the wheel to pretend he was driving the ship, putting his hand into freezing cold water to feel how cold the ocean was at the time of the sinking, and trying to walk up decks that were slanted at different angles to show how much the Titanic was tilting in the water. He also liked seeing a replica of the grand staircase. It was fun watching him explore everything. We saw some more sights, then headed back for more swimming and arcade.
The next day we were leaving Branson to head to Springfield, MO but we stopped at the Talking Caverns first to explore a cave. We got right into a tour when we got there and it was really fun walking down into the cave and seeing all the different kinds of formations. Afterwards, Edison enjoyed climbing in a box maze and playing mini-golf. On the way through Branson we saw some more neat sights like a replica of the Time Machine from Back to the Future. This made Edison VERY happy!
We got to Springfield, MO later that afternoon to spend a few days at Liz and Jeremy's house. We had a fun evening celebrating Nathan's birthday at Incredible Pizza. (Pretty much like a Chuck E Cheese with bigger attractions and rides). Edison had a great time playing video games and even playing a round of Laser Tag. He enjoyed picking out prizes with all the tickets he won, too.
The next day we went to visit Grandpa Turner and Kim at their new place. Edison couldn't stop talking about playing Grandpa's new train game on his computer and when we got out of the car, the first thing he wanted to do was see the game. Emmett and Edison had fun watching Grandpa drive the trains around and crash them. Then they were able to take turns driving. We also had a barbecue, hunted for Easter eggs, and launched Edison's rocket while we were there. But I think Edison's favorite thing was playing the train game. =) That evening we went over to a local park and had fun seeing a cave, feeding the geese and ducks, and playing on the playground.
On Friday, Brian and Jeremy went on a geocaching adventure to get some more states on Brian's list. They went to where 3 states meet, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma and got some caches in each. They saw some neat things while they were out. Liz and I took the kids to the Discovery Center in Springfield. The boys had a lot of fun exploring all the different areas in the museum. We even had an adventure with a toilet drinking fountain. =) Later that evening we took the kids to the indoor pool for some more fun. I think everyone was really tired after our full day of fun!
We left for home the next day and the weather cooperated with us this time. When we passed the Baymont Inn in Springfield, IL on the way home, there was no snow to be found around it anymore. Go figure. =) It was a really fun trip and we all had a great time seeing new things. Thank you to Liz, Jeremy, Emmett, Nathan, Grandpa Turner, and Kim for a wonderful trip!!
On the way
Weather starting to get bad
Look at the snow falling while we walk into the hotel!
Taking it easy
Staying out of this was a good idea!
Enjoying the pool
Edison liked the hot tub in our room
This was all the snow that we got that first night
Brian cleaning off the car
Icy roads
Can barely make out the ship on the Mississippi River
We made it to Missouri (finally!)
Roads cleared up, lots of hills
Geocache stop at a replica of the Hubble Telescope
Check out the scenery in Branson
We made it!
Relaxing in the hot tub after a long day driving!
Swimming
Edison getting a pool lesson
Happy Boy!
Geocaching in Arkansas
Really big bridge
Dirt road in Arkansas
Outside of the Titanic Museum from the street
Edison can't wait to go in!
Edison and Dad
Edison and Mom
Edison showing off his new Titanic museum
Family pic
Edison and Dad on the dock at the condo
Edison and Mom
Checking out the sights
More pool. Look at his form! =)
Walking into the caves
This was called "cave bacon"
Another formation
Climbing down and down
More cool formations
Bottom of the cave pool
Edison and Dad
Climbing through the box maze
Got to the top!
Hi!
Got through the whole thing!
Mini golf time
Finding the lost ball
Seeing the sights in Branson
It's the time machine!
Inside the time machine
We gave Edison's old car seat to the boys. Edison had to try it out one last time. =)
Happy Birthday, Nathan!
Video games
Edison loves to bowl!
Edison thought Emmett and Nathan's new bed is cool!
Playing the train game
The boys checking out Grandpa's shelter
The rocket launch!
Edison and Grandpa
Edison and Kim. Wow, Edison has gotten tall! =)
Cousins
Family pic
Silly face
Feeding the geese
Super cute!
On the swings
At the Discovery Center
Toilet fountain!
Water table fun!
Edison using the hamster wheel to make electricity
Drinking out of the fountain. =)
Edison giving the weather report
Too funny!
Edison opening his birthday present from the Hahn family
He loves it!
At the pool
Say cheese!
Edison liked riding on Emmett's 4 wheeler
Swinging on the fire hose
On the way back home
Stopped for a cool geocache
We found this sign on the way back to the highway and had to turn around for a pic. =)
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