Vacation - this is what I love

Vacation time with the family was spent at Branson again this year. It's been like a second home to me.  My grandparents lived there so I spent a lot of my childhood cruising that strip in a completely legal, non hooker kind of way.  Dale's mom was awesome enough to ask us to go along with her and my nephew.  My parents also were down there at the same time and to top it off my aunt and uncle met up with us.  It was a good, crazy, stressful, time. 

Weston's first ever dip in the lake.  I have a feeling we are going to lose count pretty fast.  He LOVED it.

The lake felt awesome.  We spent a HOT Friday on the lake in a pontoon boat with 8 kids.  There was a little melt down at first but once everyone calmed down and realized they weren't going to die on the boat everyone had a pretty good time.

Me, Wyatt, and my cousin, Gracie.

We did other things as well.  We stayed at the same water park resort we did last year.  We went to see a show at the Dixie Standpeede which you might think sounds corny, but it was pretty amazing.  We did not have to get on to ANY of the kids the entire 2.5 hours we were there.  It kept them THAT entertained.  And of course did the touristy ducks and go carts as well. 

My mom even got in on the fun with my other cousin, Hannah.

My dad and uncle Eddie

But Tristyn, I think he had the most fun with his cousin Neil aka Dale.  He kept calling him Neil and loved getting on the tube with him. So cute!

Love this!

and this!

ditto!

And OMG, this!  Classic!

(thanks Aunt Chillone for the awesome pics)

Like I said, it was crazy and fun and stressful, but it was a great vacation!  Thanks, Linda and Mom and Dad and Eddie and Chillone for making it so great.  And all the kids of course!

My MIL, Linda and nephew, Connor

Two of the best babies around, Houston, 11 months and Weston 6 months.  I think they each cried once out of the eight hour day.  Amazing!

That is one tired boy right there.

See!  He's out!

Love that hair, Tristyn! 

A long fun day!

I had one of those moments around this time where everyone was calm and peaceful, just enjoying the scenery and each other.  I remember saying to myself,  this is what I love.  Family, peace, quietness, and making memories that last lifetimes.  This is what true family is. 

I hope you all had as great of a vacation as I did.  If you don't already feel overwhelmed with my pictures you can see more in this post.

Want to show off your family vacation pics?  Link up your Summer Fun over at Things I Can't Say with Shell for a chance to win prizes from Ubisoft.