Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Dollar City

Allen unexpectedly had a few days off this weekend and we decided to go to Branson, MO. We went to Ripley's Believe It or Not and Silver Dollar City.

We took the tour of the Marvel Cave. I got a little nervous when the tour guides went over the reasons not to go through it.

The list included:

• over an hour long with no restroom
• over 500 steps
• your afraid of the dark
• your afraid of bats
• your claustrophobic

It was actually kind of fun, but I won't be spelunking with out a tour guide ever!

For some reason the first ride Hayden decided to go on was Wildfire. I am terrified of roller coasters. (I've only been on one my whole life, the Texas Giant, and I'm pretty sure I had a panic attack during the ride.) I waited in line with them and then went to observation deck.

You can't tell it from this picture, but she's was really excited. She was green when they got off the ride and I'm not sure she'll ever get on another one.

Meet Mortimer

Allen makes the best guacamole I've ever had and I can't get enough. We never have avacados on hand, so we're trying to root an avacado seed. Allen is quoting the movie Trading Places: "Looking good, Mortimer", "Feeling good, Lewis". That's how Mortimer got his name. He's sprouted this little root and I'm checking daily for some leafy green hair.

Perdido Key!

Me, my mom and my sister started planning our family vacation in January, we were paid up and set to go when the news about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill hit. We were sad for the the families of the missing people and hopeful they would figure out how to take care of leak.

It rained most of the first day so Emily and I went shopping in Foley.

Andrew, was really funny about the sand. He didn't want anything to do with it, Emily and Shannon could but him on his beach towel and he wouldn't move. He took some really good naps listening to the waves.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Hayden.

Lucky for us we had a week of great weather and a beautiful oil-free beach.

Future Rock Climber?

Hayden has discovered a new sport. Rock climbing. We took her to Lewis & Clark today to climb the wall and she was at the top in a flash. I think it took her all of 15 seconds to ring the bell at the top. I think we're going to have to check out the Ozark Bouldering Gym in Springdale.

Eureka!

Today turned out to be a beautiful day and we decided to go to Eureka Springs. We did what you do in Eureka, walked around and checked out the new shops, listened to a little music in Basin Park and ate a delicious lunch at the Local Flavor Cafe. Because it was kind of my weekend I got to choose the appetizer, Baked Brie, served with apples and pears. YUMO!

We noticed a sign for Pivot Rock on our way into Eureka. According to the "billboard" the rock is mentioned in Ripley's Believe it or Not. How could we NOT stop and see it?! After $9.50 and a short walk through the woods we found the rock. It was interesting but not amazing. We had a great day and hopefully we'll go back soon and check out some of the bike trails.