Branson

Our final Missouri destination was Branson, where we met Grandad & Grandma Nancy!  We stayed at a place with an indoor & outdoor water park on-site for the kids.  Turns out we had just missed the Labor Day rush, so the place was pretty deserted--nice!

The boys loved the water slides...

...and so did Grandma Nancy!

The boys had a blast splashing & sliding outside to beat the 100 degree heat!  Inside, we tried the lazy river, two huge hot tubs (my favorite) and climbed a tree house water structure. The highlight is that a giant bucket of water tips over sending water crashing down over the tree house every 10 min or so.  That's what Grandad and Davis were standing under in the photo below:

Having ice cream with Grandad after an awesome breakfast buffet...only on vacation can we get away with that!

My little cowboy!  Grandad bought the boys matching cowboy hats--too cute!

Carter thought this cheeseburger hat in the gift shop was so funny!

Grandad & his cowpokes.

We had an awesome dinner at Joe's Crabshack on Branson Landing...

...followed by some bull riding!    

The guys watching the musical water show on the river--just like the Bellagio in Vegas, only smaller & with flames.  Pretty cool!

Four hot Beilmans (Literally, it was 100 degrees outside!).  

Davis chillin' at the Go Kart track...

...while Daddy & Carter took a ride on the track!

We all rode the Go-Karts earlier in the day & I had a blast soaking Sean on the bumper boats.  We had a great time in Branson & promised Grandad we would meet them back there in two years to take the boys to his favorite music show.  And, maybe Nancy & I can make another trip to the outlet malls there.  (We found some amazing deals & could have spent all day shopping while the boys entertained themselves!)  It's a date!  

Ride Makerz

Ride Makerz is the vehicle version of Build-A-Bear (they are owned by the same company).  It is every little boys' dream shop where you walk in, pick your "body style", and customize your own car (or truck).  There are only four locations in the county, including one in Disneyland and one in, you guessed it--Branson, MO!

Our first visit to Ride Makerz was three years ago when I was pregnant with Davis & Carter was just a toddler.  This was the first time Sean got to go, so he and Davis had a blast seeing the store for the first time together.  Carter had already picked out his "ride" before we got there...he knew exactly what he wanted from looking online  http://ridemakerz.com/, and didn't waver a bit.

 To our surprise, Davis chose Lightening McQueen instead of Mater.  He loves that his new Lightening can talk.  

 Picking out the wheels...

 Davis was so excited to build his car!  It is amazing to me how seeing your kids happy is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.  We were thrilled to be able to do this with our boys & told them this was a special treat since we were on vacation (And most people do not consider a trip to Missouri in late Summer a vacation, people!).  Anyway, what a treat it was!

 Carter picking out his rims...so many choices!

 My three boys share a love of cars.  Mommy was just along for the ride...

 So many choices!

 We finally have all our parts and are ready to assemble our cars.  I love how happy Sean is in all of these photos.  This was a fun day for little boys AND big boys.  

 Both boys needed a little help with the tools.

 Testing out the new wheels!  We got RC cars this time, so they could really race.  Sean said that if he hadn't just gotten his Karmann Ghia, he would have built one too!

Leaving with our cars in their garage boxes.  We will be back next time we are in Branson!  Just for fun, here is the link to our First trip to Ride Makerz.  Look how little Carter is!

Ride Makerz action shots

Ride Makerz

Ride Makerz was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. This place is a "Build-A-Bear" concept store where you can build a toy car...making it as simple or as elaborate as you want (to pay for). It was an awesome place for a little boy who LOVES "wheels". Carter was in heaven...I just wish Sean could have been there to see it all.

Since this is the ONLY shop in Missouri, and there are NO Ride Makerz stores in Colorado, we were so happy to be able to make this special stop on our trip. Carter is a little young for this type of thing, but he sure enjoyed running around the store and playing with his new "wheels". And, Grandad was there to help Carter pick out just the right car and all the cool parts for it. Thanks, Grandad!

Cool car!
Watching the guy put our car together.

Ohhhh...I want THIS one!

So many wheels, so little time...

Outside the store...can we go inside now, Mommy?

Branson!

On Wednesday, we really "did" Branson. We swam in the hotel pool, saw "The Duttons" show in the afternoon (it was awesome!) and then headed to Branson Landing to "Ride the Ducks" and build a race car at "Ride Makerz". The photos are in reverse chronological order (oops!).

Mommy & Carter on the "Duck".
Carter helping Mommy "steer" the Duck.

Grandad & Carter enjoying the ride.

Carter at the Precious Moments museum in Carthage, MO. We stopped here on our way to Branson on Tuesday.

Carter & Grandma Nancy checking out the moving Precious Moments statues. Carter's not sure what to think about all of this!

Thank you Dad & Nancy for a great trip to Branson & all the fun outings! We had a great trip and hope we can go again someday!