Big Cedar Lodge and Silver Dollar City!

Well, I'm a little late in this, but better late than never!  After Jasper, we traveled over to Big Cedar Lodge near Branson.  Clay was presenting at an accounting conference, so we tagged along.  It is a great spot for family fun!  Above Grace and Andrew are enjoying the Lincoln Log table in the main building.  We spent a lot of time here!

Later this year, Big Cedar will open a Natural History museum.  For now, this Wooly Mammoth is in the main building on display.

I was one brave mama and took all 3 kiddos to one of the beautiful pools by myself one morning.  The picture of the pool near our building was really neat.  It was a walk in, and there was a huge area that went up to 2 feet, then a rope sectioning off the deeper end.  The big kids kept their floaties on, and all was well, but I didn't even attempt to bring the camera. I took this pic of the pool when my kids weren't in it!

Big Cedar is just a beautiful place!  Here is some of the lovely scenery.

Our lodge is pictured here on the left.  The building to the right is a restaurant, and the pool is in between.  There are several pools, a lazy river, a playground, tennis courts, stables, mini golf, and all situated on Table Rock Lake. 

Andrew checking out the boats at the marina. 

And then, Silver Dollar City!  There was really so much more we wanted to do and see at Big Cedar, so we will definitely have to return!  But we already had tickets bought for the park, so we headed there on our last day.  We are very grateful my parents came up and joined us--made for a perfect day!

Grace had the time of her life! 

Andrew enjoyed this pirate ship ride.  He called them race cars. 

What a great trip!

Vacation Jasper, AR!

Jasper is one of my favorite spots in Arkansas.  It is a beautiful little community on the Buffalo River.  We have been several times, and usually stay in the Ozark Mountain Cabins.  Except for that time we stayed at the Ms. Frances House, but that is another story.  A good one :) (except for the whole losing the keys in the river part).  And once at the Little Switzerland.  But mostly, we stay at the OMC's.  I love Jasper.  Here's how we always start the trip--with a photo op at the overlook/rest station.  When we stop here, I know we're almost there!

As soon as we got to Jasper (which was after 7:00), we had to go straight to the river.  Grace insisted.  So Clay, Andrew, and Claire unloaded our stuff at the cabin, and Grace and I started wading and playing on the shore.

The next day we went to the river at the Kirby area.  We started out the morning with the river all to ourselves, and Grace and Clay fished while Andrew slept.  Then we all played in the river.

That night we cooked dinner at the cabin....we brought green beans from our garden, roasted veggies, and Clay grilled steaks.  Best meal I've had in a long time!

Here's some fun at the cabin....

My favorite Gracie quote of the vacation:

Me: "Grace, keep an eye on Claire so she doesn't eat any dirt."

Grace:  "Mom, let her explore the world!"

The next day we were back at the river, this time just down the road from our cabin.  Grace is a river rat.  Andrew and Claire also enjoyed, but Grace could live out there!

So Andrew's brand new floaties had a hole in them :(  We took turns with the pink ones.

Where are we Andrew?  "The Bufawo Wi-wa!"

Claire's tent

Our view from the cabin

And our attempts at pictures on the front porch.

More river fun

The owners of the cabins have a dog.  Grace adopted him for the duration of our Jasper vacation.

And on our last day in Jasper we went to the Wildlife Museum.  Andrew pointed to the fox in the background and asked if it was the big bad wolf :)

 I love Jasper.  And I love sharing it with my family!  I'll post about part 2 of our vacation at Big Cedar Lodge next!