Lilly Got Her Ears Pierced

So while we was in Branson we hit the outlets malls up. One of the shops there happens to be a Claire's and for a while now I have been begging Doug to get Lilly's ears pierced. For one I think they look pretty and two I rather get them done now while she cant take them out or wont really mess with them. So Doug said OK lets do it. I was so freaking nervous but between Doug and I holding her still she did great and only cried for 5 to 10 minutes. But I was shocked about one thing, the price it cost to pierce ears. For one the sign says free ears piercing, thank god because the earrings cost $50. Wow that's a big chunk to take out of the bank. But she is worth it!

Branson, MO Trip 2012

So every year Doug's parents, Sister and I always go to Branson around the first weekend in November. This year Doug decided to go with us since we have the twins, usually he is hunting!

We left Thursday night after work around 5 pm. Around 7 or so we stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Normally we just go through Stake N Shake but thought it would be best to let the kids have a break and then it gives us a chance to feed them and hopefully they sleep the rest of the way there. And of course we had to do a little shopping while we was there, and my mother in law made a mistake and didn't catch it till we was already at the vacation house but she paid double for the purse she bought Lilly, she just thought the price was $20.

But anyway we ate dinner which was terrible and got back on the road. Finally around 10 we arrived at our vacation house in the Ozarks. We got all un-packed and tried to put the kids to bed. No such luck, one they were in a strange place and two they didn't have their bed and that's usually the only place they will sleep. Lilly didn't give us much troubles and went to sleep, Bryce on the other hand not a chance. We fought him for hours before I gave in and just said let him sleep in the big ass bed with us. Doug was opposed to this but finally gave in and it worked. The first night Doug didn't sleep scared he was gonna roll over on Bryce, I slept OK but would wake up if there was any movement from Bryce at all. And of course several times he did wake up screaming and I would hold and rock him back to sleep.

Friday morning rolled around and around 9 am we all headed out. First we had breakfast at Ihop (Yummy)! Then we headed to the outlets.

(Lilly getting her very own Coach purse from aunt Susie) and her ears pierced. 

We then headed to dinner at Joes Crab Shack (a fun time) 

I love Getting Crabs

Crabby Momma

Crabby Daddy



Crabby Pants



After dinner we was headed to see the Baldnobbers Show, If you have never been to this show you should really go. It is so funny and tons of fun! This year for the show we had shirts made for the twins that read: Our First Trip to the Baldnobbers. These were a big hit by the staff and thought it was a great idea and may start making them.



My First Trip to the Baldnobbers



All the singers in the show are all family and generations of family. One of the singers Joy Bilyeu-Steele became very close to our family so we decided to get a few pictures of her holding the kids at intermission, but it ended up just being Lilly since Bryce fell alseep half way through the show. Then we got one more with all of all the girls Joy, Megan and Patty. Patty is the mom of the show and Megan dates Pattys son Brandon who is also in the show.

After the show was over and as we was leaving Joy stopped us in the parking lot and talked to us for a few more minutes. We thanked her for a great evening and cant wait to see them all again next year.





Joy



Joy, Megan, Patty

Finally it was time to head home and hopefully get some sleep.

This time taking no chances Bryce was laid down in our bed and the kid and I slept all night long, Doug not so much because he got to listen to us snore all night long, and actually recoreded it on his phone. The next morning we also found out that his Dad didnt get to sleep much either as mom kept him up snoring all night long to.

Saturday morning Dad dropped Sue and Mom off at Silver Dollar City and then met Doug, the kids and I at Ihop for breakfast again (yummy)!

After we was finished since dad got no sleep he went back to the house to sleep while Doug the kids and I went exploring. We was going to see another show or the Ripleys Believe it or Not place or other shops, but we ended up just doing more shopping. We first went to the landing where we popped into my Step Mom Rosyln whom we have never met but adore. While there she bought the kids a shirt for Christmas. (Thank You Rosyln).

After we was done there we happen to see earlier in the day a sign for a craft store that I wanted to check out so Doug took me there. This turned out to be a awesome store that Doug even loved and wanted to take his mom back there the next day. After that store we headed to the Christmas landing so I could get the kids first Christmas ornament and do other shopping.

After we was done there it was finally time to meet his parents for dinner. We went to an all you can eat buffet. It had whole lobster, crab legs and tons of seafood side items for $31.99. So worth the money and we are for sure going back there next year. After dinner we headed back to the house to relax. Doug finally got to sleep through the night!

Sunday morning Doug got up early with the kids and I slept in for a little. When I got up the kids were playing and watching TV everyone else was anxious to get going so I hurried up and got ready. First we took his mom back to the craft store and then we went to lunch and then more shopping before heading over to Springfield MO to the Bass Pro shop there cause the one in Branson sucked this year.

After shopping there it was straight home with a small pit stop in Sullivan for gas and dinner around 7. Around 10 we finally made it home and all went to bed.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun filled Vacation and cant wait to do it all over again next year.

Baldnobbers

So every year the family & I go to Branson, MO for vacation, At least one of the night's while we are there we always go to the Baldnobbers show. This is one of the funniest shows I have ever been too! Here is a pic of me with 2 of the main stars. Disregard what I look like as it was a long day of shopping before this show and I didnt get to freshen up.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Wow! What a busy weekend that was, and it went by so fast!

So for Memorial Day weekend Johnny, Skippy, Doug and I took a long road trip and drove to South Carolina to visit our buddy Scotty. Let me tell you that drive sucks but I pretty much slept the whole way there. We decided to leave Friday evening around 6, Doug drove the whole way there and I am not sure why. When we got there Saturday Morning around 9 we went straight to the beach. We met up with a few of Scottys friends Christine and John at their beach house and walked to the beach from there. Once we got on the beach we walked for miles and miles to a restaurant. All the way there Doug and I picked up every sea shell we could find that was pretty and not broken, and drew in the sand just for fun.

After lunch we decided to walk back to where we came from and then stop to rest on the beach while some of us swam in the ocean for a while.

Oh yeah and let me tell everyone I could have killed Doug at this point. You see while we was at the restaurant I told Doug before you get in the ocean be sure to take your ring off so you don't lose it. He tells me its so tight on my hand it wont come off, I said yeah but when you get in the water it will loosen up and come off. Well guess what he didn't listen, got in the water and lost it in the ocean. I was so upset and he new I was upset and he was to but tried to make me feel better and brought up and put it as now we have left a piece of our marriage in South Carolina and we can come back here and remember it. I was still upset and he knew it and asked why and I said cause I was married to you in that ring it means alot to me. He says yes but for our 5 year marriage you asked me for a new ring with a bigger center diamond and etc and when I do that, it wont be the same ring I married you in. I looked at him and said you are right and it made me feel a little bit better. After we left the beach we had plans to go to dinner. But Doug cant stand not having his wedding ring on his finger so we got directions from Scotty and drove to the mall to find a new one. When we got there they had only 4 jewelry stores. When went to the first 3 and nothing that resembles the ring we had or anything that we liked, so we went to the last store and this was a store we have never heard of Ocean Jewelers and right there in front of our eyes was a ring almost exactly like the one we had before, and it happen to be 50% off not that it matters, we was going to buy it no matter what. After we left the mall we headed back to Scottys and walked to meet Johnny and Scotty at Kings Street for dinner and to watch the UFC Fights. Now Scotty said this restaurant was right up the road but it was blocks away so we decided to take our time and spend our evening together. Oh yeah Skippy was passed out at Scottys Drunk. On our way to the restaurant we saw some pretty swans swimming in the pond that's behind Scotty Condo so I of course had to take pics

As I was doing that they came right up to me, I guess they thought I was gonna feed them. Right after dinner I was so wiped out that I wanted to go back to Scottys and go to bed. Doug didn't disagree as he had now been up for over 40 hours straight from driving all the way there. The Next morning we got up met up with Scotty Girlfriend Maddie we all went to lunch with her and then over to one of her friends house on a farm where they were bbqing and partying the night away. We stayed a few hours, ate lunch then headed back to Scottys. Doug and Johnny decided to take naps and Skippy wanted to go to the gay bar so Scotty took Skippy to the bar and I watched TV. Once Scotty got back Johnny and Scotty went over to his house he just bought to put the grill together while Doug was still sleeping after about an hour Doug woke up and ask where is everyone so I told him. He gave them a call and as he did that they were already on there way back. Once they got back we left and headed to play Miniature Putt Putt.

Skip showed up with another gay guy so we split up into 2 teams and play 2 different courses. After we finished all that we decided it was time for dinner. Skip headed back to the bar and we would pick him up afterwards. After the night was over we went home and all went to bed. The next morning Doug and Scotty was going to get up and go Hog hunting but they didn't get to go so Doug and I ran up the road and bought souvenirs and then back to Scottys so we could leave to go have lunch & boating. Lunch let me say was the best food I had all week. After lunch we ended up on this boat that was huge, we sailed pretty far out and then anchored for about 3 hours. Alot of us the ones that live in Illinois, yeah we all got burnt. After the 3 hours out there we sailed back in and was headed back for home, but of course had to stop at Cooters for 1 beer. Now we are finally headed for home to shower up and then head to dinner. Dinner was the best seafood I have had in a long time and let me say it was the biggest buffet I have every seen. After dinner we was going to head to the boardwalk but I was so wiped out from the sun and everyone else at to much food that we decided to head back to the house to just relax. And I thought it was a good idea since we was leaving to drive back at wee hours in the morning. Tues morning Doug is waking me up telling me its time to go. Vacation over and 14 hour drive home.

OK so for next year we already decided our trip plans since Doug and I don't want to bowl ABCs anymore, especially if its in Reno, NV. But our trip is as planned. If we are pregnant or have a baby before then, we are headed back to South Carolina, and if not we are all going to Costa Rica. If we end up back at South Carolina we will take the baby there with us and have our first family vacation together. Then the following year we can all go to Costa Rica and leave the baby at home with the parents.