I’m picking up where we left off on Tuesday. 🙂
After the bowl game {AKA Trip to Nashville-if you missed it}, we went to my parent’s house for a few days, and then Part 2 took us to Big Cedar Lodge, a wilderness resort located about ten miles outside of Branson. I’ve been hearing about this resort over and over from a variety of people. We actually had reservations to go for a few days the summer we traveled to China and since our China dates got pushed up, we cancelled.
I called Big Cedar just a few days after hearing about the bowl game. We knew we needed to make some plans ASAP and there were two room types left. That was it! A five bedroom villa or just two regular rooms {to fit all six}…this resort was booked for NYE! All that to say, they have super cute cabins and if we ever go back, we’ll try to snag one of those.
The lobby area was absolutely gorgeous. Everything was decked OUT for Christmas!
All excited to spend some family time together!
We took a little tour around the main buildings and grabbed a coffee. 🙂
Then we bundled up…Social Media Life
versus Real Life!
Since we had two rooms…we split into a girl room/boy room. The resort had us right next to the boys so it worked out really well.
Lots of you have commented about Britt coming out of her shell lately. I’m so glad you can see it through pictures because it’s definitely happening in real life. She used to be so incredibly shy {and still is at certain times} but at home and with family/friends she very rarely shows that side anymore.
We headed out for a little walk around the property.
Miniature golf course on sight…my kiddos were so pumped about this and it’s the only time we got to play due to the weather. Please notice Britt trying to be another obstacle.
At this point, we had to call the game due to no lights.
This resort can decorate for Christmas….so pretty!
Since it was New Year’s Eve, I made us reservations at Osage Restaurant in Top of the Rock when I booked our rooms. Tab paused to take this picture while driving to the golf course area. Isn’t that gorgeous?
Ebby Lee’s class just recently studied Native Americans so she geeked out a bit over everything she could see and read while we waited.
We went downstairs to Buffalo Bar while we waited for our table. The vibe down there was fun…they were passing out hats and tiaras, football was on, and everyone seemed excited for the New Year.
Hands down-my favorite meal at Big Cedar! Everything was delicious!
These two…they tried to be serious.
I’m telling you…the lights were CUTE!
We all hung out in one room for a while before deciding we were way too tired to stay up until midnight. Big Cedar was shooting off fireworks though…so the crowds woke me up around 11:45. The show sounded amazing, but I stayed in bed and imagined how fabulous it was. #tootired
We stopped at a little cafe the next morning to grab breakfast.
We drove around checking out more of the resort and popped into the marina.
Selfie time!
Then we spent our day at Fun Mountain, an indoor area that features a wide variety of activities ranging from bowling to arcades to laser tag and more. Right when you walk in there are three big slides-at this moment we were watching the game while the kiddos were sliding.
My view for like five minutes. Then they were ready to move on.
Why are arcade games so much fun?
You guys…Britt was pumped about doing this younger version of a ropes course. Look at her face!
Big smiles on her way up!
Sorry, for all 72 of those pictures…but a couple things-
1. It shocked me she even wanted to try to do this.
2. She was SO excited about it.
3. Because she’s so teeny, we tend to treat her younger than she really is. #ourbad
4. Her dad wanted to enroll her in some sort of American Ninja Warrior for three-year-olds after this.
Sometimes when the teenage boy is helping you remove your safety gear, it’s just easier to hug him to get it all off.
Tab gave each of them an arcade card with some money to play games. Well, Nixon got sucked into that claw game. You know the one that really does look like you’re going to get that football but it falls out of the little robot’s clutches at the last second? He fell victim to that game and spent ALL HIS ARCADE MONEY in a crazy amount of seconds. He quickly became the “what can they pay for that I can still participate in spotter” throughout the arcade.
She’s showing off her candy bracelet she purchased with her 15 tickets. 😉
The underwater bowling alley was lots of fun.
By the time we were finished bowling, we decided to have a late lunch/early dinner at Uncle Buck’s, the restaurant inside. Another game was starting and they had huge screens set up to watch.
We took the kiddos to one of my favorite places…the indoor pool. {Can you hear my sarcasm?} I posted this on Instagram and a lot of you feel the same way. #soulsisters
And we ended the night with more football watchin’ and room service. 🙂
Our last morning we had a late breakfast at Devil’s Pool Restaurant. I had one of the best omelets I’ve EVER had for breakfast. I’m still thinking about it.
Our plan for the day was the Top of the Rock Cart Trail…we rented a golf cart and drove around taking in the sights.
Best part of the entire ride?? THE CAVE TOUR!
The path continued through the cave..so cool!
It was extremely chilly on this particular day. Thankfully, the golf cart had those wind/rain protectors and we brought blankets so we weren’t too cold but any other outside activity was pretty much out.
When you drove by this cave, a speaker went off with bear sounds. So we stopped to go take a closer peek. Please note how close Bowen wanted to go.
Where’s Bowen you might ask?
Still in the same spot…back by the stairs.
Her gloves were a bit too big. 😉
The fire felt SO NICE after that ride.
Our plan was not to leave the resort but it happened to be in the 30’s during our stay so we decided to pop into Branson to find some indoor fun.
We hit up Fritz’s Adventure Park, a huge indoor facility for kids complete with a ropes’ course, underground tunnels, slides, and more.
Ebby Lee woke up feeling all sorts of brave and totally nailed it!
Nixon wasted no time and made it all the way up to the top area quickly. He was ready to hit that zip line!
Britty and I prefered to watch. 🙂
Bowen chose to remain underground.
See what I mean?
I bought the girls these fair isle sweaters {Britt’s is a sweater dress} and happened to be walking by Francesca’s one day and saw one that looked similar. It’s sold out now…but I was so excited about us all matching. Ebby Lee? Not so much.
After all that playing these kiddos were hangry, so we had a yummy dinner at Danna’s Bar-B-Q.
We made it back in time to see the decorations one more time.
And we let the big kiddos ice skate around that gorgeous Christmas tree. This is how she felt about not putting on skates.
It was just a synthetic ice rink and people were walking around out there in shoes. So, I took Britt around “thinking” she’d think she was ice skating too. {There I go with assuming she’s younger than she is.} She knew the difference and wasn’t fooled one bit. They didn’t have skates close to her size so she was out of luck.
But ending around the campfire turned her night around. 🙂
It’s so nice to get away for a few days with just our people. To rest, recharge, and get ready to tackle the New Year head on! Thankful for my time away with my five.
Happy New Year, Friends!
XO
