We spent a week in Branson and then headed to Bull Shoals Lake for a houseboat where Aunt Ann, Uncle Pat, Mike and Jim joined us.
We arrived in Branson on Monday night. Tuesday, the 3 older boys, Tom and my parents went to Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum.
That night we got a taste of what Branson has to offer when we participated in a BBQ/sampler show in the condo's clubhouse right across the street. One of my favorite nights. The food was great and the entertainment was entertaining. Zachary really enjoyed it as he wanted to dance to all the music.
Wednesday and Thursday Tom and I took the 3 older boys to Silver Dollar City. Hot but fun. We stayed on the water rides enough to stay cool and drank a lot of water to stay hydrated.
On Thursday we toured Marvel Cave where we descended 500 feet and got to ride up part of the way on a train. It was amazing to see such a beautiful wonder of God's creation including all natural formations and waterfalls. 
Here's the train that took us out.
Just before we left Silver Dollar City
We spent a lot of time in the pool at the clubhouse. It was just across the road and the water was perfect.
Friday we rode "the Ducks" It was the one thing the boys really wanted to do. So we got a tour on land and then drove it right into the water where Blaise and Dominic got to try their hand at the wheel.
Saturday morning we left Branson and drove to Bull Shoals Lake to begin our stay on the houseboat. The next day would be my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. These pictures are not necessarily in order.
One day we got a jetski for a couple hours.
Here's the train that took us out.
Just before we left Silver Dollar City
We spent a lot of time in the pool at the clubhouse. It was just across the road and the water was perfect.
Friday we rode "the Ducks" It was the one thing the boys really wanted to do. So we got a tour on land and then drove it right into the water where Blaise and Dominic got to try their hand at the wheel.
Saturday morning we left Branson and drove to Bull Shoals Lake to begin our stay on the houseboat. The next day would be my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. These pictures are not necessarily in order.
One day we got a jetski for a couple hours.
Dominic caught his first fish on August 16th. Instead of throwing it back, he and Uncle Mike cut it up and used it for bait for future fish. 
Mom and Dad brought their canoe and it got daily use.
The captian of our vessel...
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! Sunday was the big day and we went to Yellville for 11:00 Mass where one of the petitions was for blessings for Steve and Carolyn on 40 years of marriage! That was planned, but get this... the recessional hymn just happened to be the same song as the recessional at their wedding 40 years ago! That was just by coincidence. I still can't get over that. 
Making toast with Zachary
Mom and Dad brought their canoe and it got daily use.
The captian of our vessel...
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! Sunday was the big day and we went to Yellville for 11:00 Mass where one of the petitions was for blessings for Steve and Carolyn on 40 years of marriage! That was planned, but get this... the recessional hymn just happened to be the same song as the recessional at their wedding 40 years ago! That was just by coincidence. I still can't get over that. The song was"They'll know we are Christians by our Love" You can really tell these two are Christian by the fruit they have produced. Through many years of living their lives for God and helping others, they have been an excellent example of Christians to so many, especially their children. Thanks Mom and Dad! We love you!
This was the sunset we got that night.
back to the water the next day
Making toast with Zachary
Dominic got to be captian for a bit too.
Zachary reading the Three Little Pigs. It's one of his favorites.
Xavier.. still has his duck caller.
Here we are finding rocks and throwing them with the little ones. Xavier would only get in the water when we were docked so that's when we did most of our swimming. My favorite part of this houseboat was not having to be anywhere at any time. We could just enjoy being there. Good company and beautiful surroundings. What more could you want?
Xavier.. still has his duck caller.
Here we are finding rocks and throwing them with the little ones. Xavier would only get in the water when we were docked so that's when we did most of our swimming. My favorite part of this houseboat was not having to be anywhere at any time. We could just enjoy being there. Good company and beautiful surroundings. What more could you want?Yes Zachary is naked... he just had a bath in the lake.
Nightly campfires provided by the boys
Nightly campfires provided by the boys
These are the carp at the dock where we rented the boat
These are the travelers of the boat we rented from the dock
The last night there Mike caught a 23" catfish.
.. and he shared it
These are the travelers of the boat we rented from the dock
The last night there Mike caught a 23" catfish.
.. and he shared it
This is the boat we rented -a 14 sleeper. When we were out in the middle of the lake Dominic started feeling comfortable enought to start jumping off the top of that penthouse into the deep water! He got good at diving off the back too. After Blaise realized there were big fish in the water he didn't want to do much more swimming but he kept himself busy elsewhere.
We are very thankful for a safe and enjoyable vacation. Definitely something we will do again.
We are very thankful for a safe and enjoyable vacation. Definitely something we will do again. 
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